CHAPTER 35
WASHING CLOTHES
Setting Colors—Washing Thin Crêpes—Beaded Garments—Corduroy—Turkish Toweling or Ratine
TO SIT COLORS IN WASH MATERIALS. Different colors must be set by different methods. Green, blue, purple and also mauve or lavender can be set by soaking for a short time in alum water. Use about an ounce of alum to a gallon of water. Blue, pink and most red materials can be set by soaking in salt water, using a large tablespoonful of salt to about a gallon of water.
To set the color in brown, tan and deep yellow, use about a cupful of vinegar to a gallon of water and soak the material in it. Black cotton materials and black-and-white materials may be soaked in strong salt water or a little turpentine may be added to the water.
Yellow and the lighter shades ot tan can be brightened when they become faded, by adding a little strong coffee to the rinsing water.
WASHING THIN CRÊPES. Oily streaks at neck and wrists should be removed with gasoline before washing. Use warm water. Ivory Soap, Lux, Fairy or Borax, or any soap that is not too strong with lye. (Professionals use a mixture of salts of tartar and borax—half and half in warm water.) Do not rub, but after a good suds is made dip the garment in it and squeeze the suds through the garment. Thoroughly rinse in several waters so that not one particle of soap suds is left on the garment. Do not wring water out, squeeze it. Shake it out and wrap up until nearly dry. Iron on the Wrong side with a warm, not hot, iron. Iron crosswise of the material, stretching a little as you iron.
Remember Georgette crêpe or any thin crêpe is liable to part or give way on the crosswise strands, so don't be rough with it.
Colors are usually fast.
TO WASH A BEADED GARMENT use the same method as for thin crêpes. Never put a beaded garment through a wringer for it would break the beads. Lay the garment right side down on a Turkish towel or soft pressing pad so as not to break the beads in pressing. Embroidered garments should be pressed in this way also as the design will appear more raised and less flattened than if pressed on a hard surface.
TO WASH CORDUROY make suds of lukewarm water. Ivory Soap or Lux, or soap not strong with lye. Move the corduroy up and down in it, rubbing any spots gently with the hands. Rinse thoroughly in clear lukewarm water and lightly squeeze as much moisture as possible out with the hands. Never rub on a board or pass through a wringer, as this injures the nap. Hang in the air until dry, or when almost dry, lay face down on a Turkish towel or soft pressing pad, and press lightly; be careful to press with the nap.
TO WASH RATINE OR TURKISH TOWELING, make a suds and move the material up and down in it. Do not rub it, but just squeeze it. The dirt will drop out, as the weave is open. Rinse thoroughly. Squeeze out as much water as possible with your hands. Never wring it. Hang it up in the air and let it dry. In pressing, thoroughly dampen this material and while it is damp pull out all of the Wrinkles. Press lightly on a padded board with a cloth over the material until it is thoroughly dry. Then brush it thoroughly with a whisk broom, being careful not to pull it.