THE LAUNDRY
What visions of dampness and disorder, of air malodorous with steam and
soap, of meals delayed and hurriedly prepared, of tempers ruffled and
the domestic machinery all disarranged and the discomforts of home
prominently in the foreground, are called forth by that magic
word--washday! And yet, maligned though it be, it really is the day of
all the week the best; for does it not minister more than any one other
to our comfort and self-respect and general well-being? It may be
"blue Monday" or blue Tuesday or blue any-other-day, but we very soon
come out of the azure when it is achieved and we find ourselves
entering upon another week's enjoyment of that virtue which is akin to
godliness. In the brief interim of upheaval we may possibly wish we
could hark back to the days of the "forty-niner," who solved his
individual problem of personal cleanliness by simply dropping his
soiled clothing into a boiling spring, where it was turned and churned
and twisted and finally flung out, a clean and purified testimonial to
Mother Nature's ability as a laundress. Or perhaps the pretty pastoral
of the peasant girl knee deep in the brook, rubbing her household linen
on the stones, hath even greater charms. But the trouble is that we
are neither "forty-niners" nor peasants, but just plain, latter-day
housekeepers with a laundry problem to face, and finding that it, like
most other problems, is best solved by attacking it boldly,
systematically, and according to certain fixed rules.
[Illustration: The laundry.]
LAUNDRY REQUISITES
The home laundry must be well ventilated and lighted, and in the
basement if possible, for obvious reasons, the chief being the relief
thus afforded to the otherwise congested kitchen and overburdened
kitchen stove, while at the same time one other menace to health--the
steam generated by the washing and drying--is removed from the main
part of the house. It is highly essential that the laundry be properly
and completely equipped for the work of washing, boiling, drying, and
ironing. Stationary tubs are much to be desired, those porcelain-lined
being more sanitary than either soapstone, which has a tendency to
absorb grease, or wood, which absorbs the uncleanness from the soiled
linen. It is especially necessary that the tubs be as impervious as
possible when the linen is soaked overnight. If tubs are to be bought,
the paper ones have a decided advantage over the more well-known cedar
ones in being much lighter and consequently more easily handled, with
only a slight difference in price. It seems so well worth while to
minimize the strain of heavy lifting when and wherever one can, since
washing at best involves much hard work and fatigue.
THE STOVE AND FURNISHINGS
The stove for laundry use may be either gas, oil, or coal, the latter
being considered the most economical of fuel, while it often comes in
very handy in the preparation of foods which require long stewing or
simmering. The wringer should be of medium size, either wooden or
iron-framed, the former having the advantage of lightness, the latter
of strength. The screws must be loosened after each washing and
thoroughly dried. Any particles of rust can be removed with kerosene.
The following list gives a very fair idea of the essentials of the
well-furnished laundry, and their cost:
2 paper tubs................................ $2.40
1 wringer................................... 3.75
1 block-tin boiler with copper bottom....... 2.15
1 washboard................................. .25
1 paper pail................................ .25
1 long-handled starch spoon................. .08
1 long-handled dipper....................... .12
1 set clothes bars ......................... .95
1 wash bench ............................... .75
1 fifty-foot hemp line...................... .20
1 ironing board, or ) ...................... .95
1 skirt-board ) ...................... .50
3 Mrs. Potts' nickel-plated irons........... 2.85
1 sleeve and ruffle iron.................... .35
1 iron rest................................. .08
1 clothes stick............................. .10
1 clothes basket............................ .80
5 dozen clothespins......................... .10
2 pieces beeswax............................ .05
IRONS AND HOLDERS
If the ordinary flatirons are preferred, they may be had at 5 cents a
pound. They require, of course, the use of a good, stout holder,
asbestos covered with ticking affording the best protection to the
hand. Slip cases are nice for use of this kind, as they can be taken
off and washed. Pad the ironing board with Canton flannel or a coarse
blanket, then draw tightly over it a white cotton cloth and fasten on
the under side. The padding must be absolutely smooth and without a
wrinkle. And there must be a piece of cheesecloth with which to wipe
possible dust from the line, a scrubbing brush for the cleaning-up
process which closes the washing drama, and the various preparations
used to remove stains and assist in the cleansing of the linen and
clothing--borax, starch, bluing, ammonia, oxalic acid, soda, kerosene,
turpentine, etc.
PREPARING THE "WASH"
With all the "properties" in readiness, the fire burning well, and
plenty of hot water to draw upon, the curtain rises on the laundress
sorting the flannels, table linen, fine underwear, towels, and bed
linen, colored clothes and stockings into separate piles, each to be
disposed of in its turn, from fine articles down through to coarse,
laying aside any which have stains. These stains she removes in a
variety of ways, according to their nature, but removed they must be
before going into the tub, where, in most instances, the hot suds will
render them ineradicable, although it has the reverse effect on dirt.
It is a wise plan to mark, with a black thread before putting in the
wash, any stains which are apt to be overlooked by the laundress, and
those on large pieces, such as bedspreads.
REMOVING STAINS
The removal of stains from white goods is comparatively easy. Fruit
and wine stains are removed by stretching the fabric over a bowl and
pouring boiling water through the stain, repeating until it disappears.
Boiling milk is sometimes applied successfully to wine stains in the
same way. A thick layer of salt rubbed into the stained portion and
followed with the boiling-water treatment is also effective. Obstinate
fruit stains yield to a thorough moistening with lemon, a good rubbing
with salt (a combination which is to be found all prepared at the drug
store under the name of Salts of Lemon), and the application of boiling
water. When nothing else avails, immerse the stained portion in a weak
solution of Javelle water--one half cup to one pail of boiling
water--allow it to soak a few minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.
Javelle water can be procured of the druggist, but is as well prepared
at home by dissolving four pounds of ordinary washing soda in one
gallon of water, boiling ten minutes, and then adding to it one pound
of chloride of lime. It should be kept well corked, and resorted to in
extreme cases alone, as it is violent in its action on the clothes.
For this reason special care must be given to rinsing after its use.
Tea and coffee stains usually surrender to boiling water, but if they
prove obdurate rub in a little powdered borax and pour on more boiling
water. Chocolate stains can be removed in the same way. Sprinkling
the stain with borax and soaking first in cold water facilitates the
action of the boiling water.
Rub iron rust with lemon and salt, and lay in the sun, repeating until
the spot disappears. This is usually all that is necessary, but if the
stain is very stubborn, spread over a bowl containing one quart of
water and one teaspoonful of borax. Apply hydrochloric acid, drop by
drop, to the stain until it brightens, then dip at once into the water.
If an ink stain is fresh, soak in milk, renewing the milk when it
becomes discolored. If very dry and well set use lemon and salt or the
Javelle-water treatment.
Mildew, which results from allowing damp clothes to lie in the basket
for a length of time, is obstinate and difficult to remove. Boil in
salted buttermilk; or wet with lemon juice and stand in the sun. If
these treatments are ineffectual, resort to diluted oxalic acid or
Javelle water, a careful rinsing to follow the application. Grass
stains may be treated in a like manner, or washed in alcohol. Ammonia
and water, applied while the stain is fresh, will often remove it.
Remove paint stains with benzene or turpentine, machine oil with cold
water and Ivory soap, vaseline with turpentine.
Peroxide of hydrogen applied to blood stains while they are still moist
causes them to disappear at once. Soaking in cold water till the
stains turn brown, then washing in warm water with soap is the usual
treatment. If the stain is on thick goods, make a paste of raw starch
and apply several times.
Pencil marks on linen should be rubbed off with an eraser, as hot water
sets them.
Soap and water is the best agent for removing stains from colored
goods, _provided the color is fast_. Moisten the article, soap the
stain, and after a few minutes wash alternately with oil of turpentine
and water. If not satisfactorily removed make a mixture of yolk of egg
and oil of turpentine, spread on the stain, allow to dry, scrape off,
and wash thoroughly in hot water. Tampering with stains on garments
which are not warranted "fast color" is very risky, and often leaves
the second state of the garments worse than the first.
SOAKING AND WASHING
The prologue of sorting the clothes and removing the stains being at an
end, we are ready for the real "business" of the wash day--the washing
itself--unless the laundress prefers to soak the clothes overnight. If
so, dampen, soap well, particularly the most soiled spots, roll up and
pack in the bottom of the tub, pour over tepid water, and leave till
morning. Only the bed and body linen need be subjected to this
treatment, as the table linen is rarely sufficiently soiled to require
it, and the colored clothes and the stockings must never, under any
circumstances, be allowed to stay in water beyond the time necessary to
wash and rinse them. The water, if only hard water be obtainable, may
be softened by the addition of a little ammonia or borax. Water which
has been discolored by soil after heavy rains or by the repairing of
water pipes, should be strained through Canton flannel before use.
After soaking, the linen should be put through the wringer, which will
take away much of the soil with the water, and then washed. As to the
way in which this should be done there are various opinions, most
methods in use by experienced laundresses being reliable. Each,
however, usually has her favorite method of procedure which it is
perhaps as well to allow her to follow. Pity 'tis, 'tis true, that
many housekeepers are so ignorant of how the wash-day programme should
really be conducted that they are incapable of directing the
incompetent laundress. The mistress of the house needs also to be
mistress of the laundry, guiding operations there as elsewhere, seeing
to it that body and table linens are not washed together, flannels
boiled, clothing rotted by overindulgence in sal soda, nor any other
crimes committed against law and order in the laundry.
WASHING POWDERS AND SOAP
If bleaches of any kind are to be used--washing powders, sal soda,
borax, and the like--it must be in either the soaking water or the
boiler, and _very_ sparingly. Indeed, the use of bleaches at any time
is a custom more honored in the breach than the observance. Though
there is no hard-and-fast rule as to the order of precedence, it is
well to wash the woolens first, after shaking them free from lint and
dust. Prepare two tubs of lukewarm suds, the second very light, adding
a little borax dissolved in boiling water to each. Never apply soap
directly to the flannel, nor rub on a board, which mats the wool, but
rub with the hands, squeezing and dipping up and down in the first
water till clean, rinse in the second water, which should be of about
the same temperature as the first, put through the wringer, shake well,
pull into shape, and hang in the shade to dry.
WASHING WOOLENS
Woolens must never hang in the sun nor near the fire, as the too-quick
drying causes them to shrink and harden. When nearly dry, press on the
wrong side with a moderately hot iron. The rinsing water may be used
for the first cotton wash. If both colored and white flannels are to
be washed, the former should be done first, thus avoiding the lint
washed from the latter. Drying can be accelerated by pressing
repeatedly between soft cloths. If the ordinary washing fails to
remove any of the spots, spread on a smooth board and rub with a soft,
wet, soapy brush.
WASHING THE WHITE CLOTHES
Next comes the washing of the table linen, then the body linen, and
then the bed linen, the process for each being the same, though the
table linen requires the least rubbing. Wash in hot water in which the
hand can be comfortably borne, soaping each piece well before it is
rubbed, and paying particular attention to the hems of the sheets; drop
into a second tub of clear, hot water, rinse, and wring into a boiler
about half filled with cold water to which has been added one
tablespoon of kerosene and sufficient soap chips to produce a good
suds. Bring the water to a boil and boil ten minutes, stirring
occasionally with the clothes stick, Too long boiling yellows the
clothes, and crowding the boiler is to be avoided. From the boiler the
clothes are lifted to a tub of clear, cold water, thoroughly rinsed,
transferred to the tub of bluing water where they are well and evenly
saturated, wrung out, and those which are not to be starched hung on
the line where sun and breeze are most active. The bluing must be
thoroughly mixed with the water. Clothes which have been carefully
washed and rinsed need but little bluing. Hang sheets and tablecloths
out straight and stretch the selvages even. Pillowcases should be hung
by the seam opposite the hem.
STARCH
Prepare the starch by dissolving one half cup of starch in cold water,
pour on this one quart of boiling water, and boil till clear and white,
stirring constantly. When nearly ready to take from the stove add a
little borax, lard, butter, or white wax. A teaspoonful of granulated
sugar is believed by many to be the most desirable addition. This will
be of the right consistency for ordinary articles--skirts, aprons, etc.
The same degree of strength in starch will not suit all kinds of
fabrics, collars, cuffs, etc., requiring the stronger solution made by
doubling the amount of starch; thin lawns and other fine materials the
weaker produced by doubling the amount of water. Dip each article in
the hot starch, those requiring the most stiffening being dipped first,
because it is necessary to thin the starch. See that the starch is
evenly distributed, press out as much as possible with the hands, put
through the wringer, shake out all creases, and pin evenly on the line.
Additional stiffness is given by dipping the already starched and dried
article in raw starch, which is made by moistening a handful of starch
in a quart of cold water and rubbing in enough Ivory or other fine
white soap to produce a very slight suds. Squeeze out the superfluous
moisture, roll in a clean white cloth, and leave for half an hour.
Iron while still damp. In stiffening pillowcases dilute the starch
until it is of the consistency of milk. Mourning starch should be used
for black goods. Never hang starched things out in freezing, damp, or
windy weather.
COLORED CLOTHES
Colored articles must be washed, starched, dried, and ironed as
speedily as possible. Prepare warm suds with Ivory or Castile soap and
add to it a handful of salt to set the color. Wash each piece through
this, and rinse through two clear waters to which just enough vinegar
to taste has been added, the latter to brighten the color, then stiffen
in cool starch and hang in the shade. When washing delicate colored
fabrics a tablespoon of ox gall may be substituted for the salt.
STOCKINGS
Last come the stockings, which should be washed in clean water, first
on the right side, then on the wrong, special care being bestowed upon
the feet. Rinse in clear water, with a final rinsing in hot water to
soften the fiber, and hang on the line wrong side out, toes up. Woolen
stockings are washed in the same way as flannels.
DAINTY LAUNDERING
The dainty task of laundering centerpieces and doilies usually devolves
upon their owner, unless the laundress has demonstrated her ability to
cleanse and iron them properly. Wash in warm Ivory or Castile
soapsuds, squeezing, dipping, and rubbing between the hands until
clean, rinse thoroughly--otherwise the soap will yellow--bluing the
last rinsing water very slightly, squeeze out (never wring) as much
moisture as possible, and hang on the line, in the shade if out of
doors. While still very damp lay face down on a thick flannel pad
covered with a white cloth, and iron till dry. If the piece is large
it can be turned and ironed lightly on the right side where there is no
embroidery. Colored embroideries must never be sprinkled and rolled.
Iron the linen of large lace-trimmed centerpieces, then lay on a bed or
other flat surface, and stretch the lace by carefully pinning down each
point.
The cleansing of laces is best accomplished by basting on strips of
cheesecloth, fastening down each point, and soaking for some time in
warm, soapy water. Squeeze out and put into fresh soapy water,
repeating the process until the lace is perfectly clean, then rinse in
clear boras water--four teaspoonfuls to one pint. Place the
cheesecloth, lace down, on a flannel or other soft pad, and iron until
dry.
HOW TO WASH SILK
Put white and light-colored silks and pongees through strong, tepid
white soapsuds, then through a second weaker suds, rinse, press out the
water with the hands, shake out all wrinkles, spread on a clean sheet,
and roll tight. Cover with a cheesecloth and iron while still damp
with a not too hot iron. No portion of silk should be allowed to dry
before ironing. If this occurs do not sprinkle, but dampen by rolling
in a wet cloth. In laundering pure white silk, slightly blue the
rinsing water. A slight firmness can be imparted to any silk by the
addition of one teaspoon of gum arabic to each pint of the rinsing
water. Silk hose are laundered just as other silk, except that instead
of being rolled they must be dried as quickly as possible and ironed
under a damp cloth.
WASHING BLANKETS
Do not allow blankets to become very much soiled before laundering,
When this becomes necessary, put to soak for fifteen minutes in plain
warm water--soft, if possible. Then prepare a jelly with one pound of
soap to each blanket, and boiling water, pour into a tub of warm water
and lather well, wring the blankets from the soaking water into this
and let soak for ten minutes, then rub between the hands, bit by bit,
until as clean as possible, wring into the first rinsing water, which
should be just warm, then rinse a second time in tepid water, and dry
well without exposing to great heat. Instead of being hung, blankets
can be dried on curtain stretchers. When dry rub with a piece of rough
flannel; this makes them fluffy and soft.
WASHING CURTAINS
Curtains and draperies should be shaken and brushed free from all the
dust possible, before washing. Lace curtains, and especially those
which are very fine or much worn, need dainty and careful handling.
Soak for an hour or two in warm water containing a little borax, then
squeeze out the water and drop into a boiler half filled with cold
water to which have been added one half bar of soap, shaved thin, two
tablespoonfuls of ammonia, and one of turpentine. Bring to a boil and
let stand at the boiling point, without boiling, for half an hour,
stirring occasionally with the clothes stick, rinse thoroughly, starch
well with thick boiled starch, and stretch on frames to dry. If frames
are not available, pin to a carpet which has been smoothly spread with
a clean sheet. When a pure white is desired, add a little bluing to
the starch water. Water tinted with coffee will produce an écru
effect, while tea will give a more decided hue. Muslin curtains are
laundered like any other fine white goods.
TIDYING UP AND SPRINKLING
The last article being hung on the line, each implement used in the
process of washing must be cleaned, dried, and put in its place, the
laundry floor scrubbed, and everything made spick and span; then comes
the sprinkling and rolling of the piles of snowy, sweet-smelling linen,
all full of fresh air and sunshine, to make a little rest time after
the vigorous exercise which precedes it. It must be done with care as
much depends upon it. Table linen, unless taken from the line while
still moist, should be sprinkled very damp, folded evenly, rolled and
wrapped in a white cloth, and placed in the clothes basket, which has
been previously lined with an old sheet. Bed linen and towels require
very little dampening; they, too, to be rolled and placed with the
table linen. Sprinkle body linen well, particularly the lace and
embroidery trimmings, roll tight, wrap, and add to the growing pile in
the basket. The kitchen towels which have just come from the line may
be utilized for wrapping purposes. Handkerchiefs receive the same
treatment as napkins in sprinkling, folding, and ironing. Although
everything irons more easily after being rolled for some time, thus
evenly distributing the dampness, an exception must be made of colored
clothing, which must not be sprinkled more than half an hour before it
is ironed. When the sprinkling is all done, cover the basket with a
damp cloth, then with a dry one, and leave till ironing time. If a
coal range is in use, see that the fire is burning steadily,
replenishing from time to time, first on one side, then on the other,
brush off the top of the stove, wipe the irons, and put on to heat. If
they heat slowly, invert a large dish pan over them.
CARE OF IRONS
When not in use, irons can be protected from dampness and resulting
rust by covering with mutton fat or paraffine, rubbed on while slightly
warm. It is easily removed when the irons are wanted for use. Rust
spots can be removed by applying olive oil, leaving for a few days, and
then rubbing over with unslaked lime. Scrub with soap and water,
rinse, dry, rub with beeswax, and wipe off with a clean cloth. The
soap and water treatment, followed by a vigorous rubbing on brick-dust,
should be given frequently, irrespective of rust. Irons must neither
be allowed to become red-hot nor to stand on the range between usings,
or roughness will result. When not in use, stand on end on a shelf.
Rubbing first with beeswax and then with a clean cloth will prevent the
irons from sticking to the starched things.
HOW TO IRON
Before beginning to iron have everything in readiness--beeswax, a heavy
paper on which to test the iron, a dish of water, and a soft cloth or a
small sponge for dampening surfaces which have become too dry to iron
well, or which have been poorly ironed and need doing over. Stand the
ironing table in the best light which can be found, with the ironing
stand at the right and the clothes at the left, and work as rapidly as
consistent with good results. There is no royal road to ironing, but
with perseverance and care the home laundress can become quite expert,
even though she cannot hope to compete with the work turned out by
those who do nothing but iron six days in the week. Give the iron a
good, steady pressure, lifting from the board as little as possible,
and then--iron! Take the bed linen first, giving a little extra press
to the hems of the sheets. Many housewives have a theory that unironed
sheets are the more hygienic; that ironing destroys the life and
freshness imparted by the sun and air. Such being the case, the sheets
can be evenly and carefully folded and put through the wringer, which
will give them a certain smoothness. Towels may be treated in the same
way, while flannels, knit wear, and stockings may, if one chooses, be
folded and put away unironed. Table linen must be smoothed over on the
wrong side till partially dry, and then ironed rapidly, with good hot
irons and strong pressure on the right side, lengthwise and parallel
with the selvage, until dry. This brings out the pattern and imparts a
satiny gloss to the fabric, leaving it dainty, soft, and immaculate.
Iron all embroideries on the wrong side. Trimmings and ruffles must be
ironed before doing the body of the garment, going well up into the
gathers with a light, pointed iron, carefully avoiding pressing in
wrinkles or unexpected pleats. Iron frills, either plain or with a
narrow edge, on the right side to give the necessary gloss. Bands,
hems, and all double parts must be ironed on both sides. Iron colored
clothes--lawns, dimities, percales, chambrays, etc.--on the wrong side,
with an iron not too hot, otherwise the color is apt to be injured.
The home laundress is usually not quite equal to the task of ironing
shirts, which would far better go to the laundry; but when done at home
from choice or necessity, plenty of patience and muscle must be
applied. Iron the body of the shirt first, then draw the bosom tightly
over a board and attack it with the regular irons, wipe over quickly
with a damp cloth and press hard with the polishing iron. The ironing
of very stiffly starched articles may be facilitated by covering with
cheesecloth and pressing until partially dry; then remove the cloth and
iron dry. As each piece is ironed, hang on bars or line until
thoroughly dried and aired. A certain amount of moisture remains; even
after the ironing, and must be entirely removed before the final
sorting and folding and putting away.
And so the wash-day drama comes to an end. We survey with pride and
complaisance the piles of clean linen, shining with spotless elegance,
and as we read therein a whole sermon on the "Gospel of Cleanliness,"
we conclude that it is decidedly worth while, and rejoice that
fifty-two times a year this is a "washing-day world."