=Rinsing.=--This must be thorough and two or three waters must be used.
This is the stage where many laundresses fail. The suction washers are very useful here.
=Wringing.=--This must take place between every two stages of the process.
=Bluing.=--Add the bluing solution to clean water to the desired shade, shake each piece, put it through the water, and wring out at once. Do not use bluing in excess.
=Starching.=--Next the fabrics that need a little thin starch may be starched. _Starch_ for stiff collars and shirts is rubbed in at the time of ironing.
=Drying.=--Hang out the clothes, having pieces of a kind together, and the threads straight. If out of doors, hang in such a way that the air will have easy access.
Take down, when dry, and _fold_ lightly in a basket.
_Sprinkle_, roll tightly, and leave them until ironing time. Thin fabrics should be very moist, as they dry quickly.
=Ironing.=--This art must be acquired by watching the expert and by practice.
[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 81.--Folding of nightdresses. _Courtesy of Balderston and Limerick._]
Shake or stretch the article, and lay it straight upon the board. Iron from right to left, arranging the material with the left hand, and iron with the long thread of the material. Bring the article on the board toward you. Iron first the parts that will wrinkle least, such as ruffles and tr.i.m.m.i.n.g and sleeves. Embroidery and damask should be ironed on a very soft material like a Turkish towel, right side down. Always iron until the fabric is dry.
All tucks and folds must be carefully straightened, and if ironed crooked, they must be made very wet and done over again. When ironing a waist will you do the sleeve or the body first?
Large flat pieces, towels, and napkins are folded in the ironing. Doilies and centerpieces should not be folded.
Folding is necessary in order to make the garments of convenient shape for putting away. Figures 81 and 82 will suggest the method for some garments.
[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 82.--Folding of corset covers. _Courtesy of Balderston and Limerick._]
=Commercial laundries.=--The convenience of these has been suggested already. When we can make them all sanitary, and when methods are used that will not injure the fabric, we can safely put this kind of work out of the house, but at present many commercial laundries are unsanitary and ruin the clothes.
=Cost of laundering.=--We cannot have good service without paying for it, and one cause of poor laundry work is the public demand for cheap work, and this too has its effect upon the laundry worker. The housekeeper often fails to have the laundry ready when the wagon calls, and yet demands a quick return, which also results in poor work.
If you have never done any laundering and expect a laundress to do up fine lingerie at a low rate, it will be a revelation to you to attempt to iron a shirt waist or lingerie dress, and then decide what remuneration you would yourself like to receive. One cla.s.s of high school girls, after a course of six laundry lessons, decided that a dollar a dozen was fair pay for _ordinary_ work! This is an interesting question for cla.s.s and home discussion.
=Dry cleaning.=--This is accomplished by gasoline, naphtha, or benzine, and should not be attempted by the city dweller. In the country or suburbs, it should be done out of doors, far from any source of fire. Use a basin or tub, and immerse the article in the liquid, using as much as if water, lifting gently up and down. Rinse in a second portion. A suction washer may be used with large garments. Do not rub the fabric in the liquid. Lift, drain, and hang to dry. Keep the can in a safe place, safety being insured by coolness.
_Powdered French chalk_ may be rubbed into delicate silk and wool, where there is a grease spot, or an oiliness from the skin. Leave for twenty-four hours, then shake, and brush out.
_Ether and chalk_ may be used, but the ether affects some people unpleasantly, and dissolves out some delicate colors. _Meal_ may also be used for cleaning wool, especially knitted fabrics, but it is difficult to shake out, and it needs blowing out on the clothesline.
_Laboratory management._--A few lessons can be given in laundering where there is no complete equipment. Dish towels, doilies, and napkins can at least be washed in dishpans in the school kitchen, and a few irons provided. A few such lessons are helpful at least in developing an appreciation of what good laundering means at home and to the community.
The following order of practical work is suggested, when there is a school equipment. (From "A Laundry Manual," courtesy of Balderston and Limerick.)
FIRST COURSE
I. Make Javelle water, detergent, soap, and give general notes.
II. Removal of stains.
_Wash._ Table linen.
1 tablecloth for every four students.
1 napkin for each student.
1 doily for each student.
III. _Wash._ Bed linen.
1 sheet for every four students.
1 pillow case for each student.
_Iron._ Tablecloth, napkins, and doilies.
IV. _Wash._ Drawers and stockings.
_Iron._ Sheets and pillow cases.
V. _Wash._ Towels and plain colored pieces.
_Iron._ Drawers and stockings.
VI. _Wash._ Nightdress and corset covers.
_Iron._ Towel and colored clothes.
VII. _Wash._ Flannel underwear.
_Iron._ Nightdress and corset covers.
VIII. _Wash._ Embroideries.
_Iron._ Embroideries and flannels.
SECOND COURSE
I. _Wash._ White skirts.
_Wash and iron._ Doilies and drawn work.
II. _Wash._ Shirtwaists.
_Iron._ White skirts.
III. _Wash._ Knit and crocheted articles and flannel waists.
_Iron._ Shirtwaists.
IV. _Wash._ Woolen dress goods, down quilt, and blankets.
_Iron._ Flannel waists.
V. _Wash._ Collars and cuffs, child"s dress, ribbons.
Finish quilt and blankets.
VI. _Wash._ Silks.
_Iron._ Silks, collars and cuffs, child"s dress.
VII. _Wash._ Laces, lace curtains.
VIII. _Wash._ Collarettes, stocks, handkerchiefs.
_Iron._ Collarettes, stocks, handkerchiefs.
Finish lace curtains.