Setting Colours

New Zealand Listener, Volume 10, Issue 257, 26 May 1944, Page 25

Setting Colours

Dear Aunt Daisy, I would be very grateful if you could inform me of the best way to wash a pure silk floral crepe de chine dress. I cut a wee piece out of the seam, and find that the colours run, there being black and various other colours in it. I regularly read The Listener, so shall look forward to your answer in it-

Yvonne

Eltham. —

_As you are lucky enough to possess pure silk crepe de chine in these silkless days, I would recommend getting the frock dry-cleaned, rather than risk trouble with colours. However, here are the directions for setting colours, though I think cotton material is implied. It is unusual for floral crepe de chine not to wash perfectly; most of us have washed it in all colours in the past without dis-aster:-(1) Grate 2 medium potatoes finely, add Y% cup vinegar and % cup salt. Let stand 10 minutes. Add 1 gallon of water, and soak the article in this for 20 minutes before washing as usual. Sets colours and also makes them fadeless. (2) For blue and green:-Make a solution of salt \and water in the proportion of 2 breakfast cups salt to 1 gallon water. (3) For blues, lavenders and dark colours:-1 cup vinegar to each gallon water. (4) For pinks and reds:-1 tablespoon alum to each quart of water. (5) For mixed colours (patterns):--1 tablespoon sugar of lead to each quart of water. In all cases, rinse in clear water before washing, then wash with soap flakes in luke-' warm water. Wash quickly.