Blankets, New and Old

New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 487, 22 October 1948, Page 23

Blankets, New and Old

Dear Aunt Daisy, Would you pléase help me with my blanket problem? My small son had a positive passion for emptying his last little drop of milk on to his blanket, and although I washed them thoroughly (with much rubbing on the milky patches), the dark stains are still there. They were not new blankets, but are still good. Also, would you please give me the correct method of washing my double blankets? They are that lovely fluffy "hospital" type and I do want to keep them nice. "Mrs. W." I should not have thought that milk would stain wool so badly. Did you soak the stains first in lukewarm water containing a little borax? It is a good plan to soak first, before using soap, which often "sets" a stain. However, I think you might even now remove the marks by mixing equal parts of glycerine and water and a quarter as much of liquid ammonia; put’ some in a little dish and soak the stained places for an hour or so, and then let it dry in. Next day, wash in a little warm soapy water softened with ammonia, and _ rinse thoroughly in clean, softened water. Do let me know how this works. To wash new blankets, fill a washingtub three-parts full with cold water. In a big bowl, dissolve a half packet of best soap-flakes in about a quart of hot water, adding a teacup of best household. ammonia. Whip up into a lather, and empty it into the tub of cold water. This will take off the chill; and, being stirred up well, will make the water soapy enough. Put in not more than two blankets and lift and work them about very thoroughly; then leave them two or three hours to soak. Then press and work them again (no washboard) just’ as you would any "woolly," and put through wringer into a tub of lukewarm water also softened with half teacup of ammonia. Rinse thoroughly, then wring through again into more clean water. Blankets need two good rinsings. Wring again, and shake well while pegging on the line. Choose a breezy day. When partly dry, turn them up the other way, giving them another shake.