FoodNetArchive

The household (of the Detroit free press)

1886

Page 211 · 2 recipe records on this page

Presented as published in 1886. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
In order to properly wash colored silk handkerchiefs, make a good suds in lukewarm water, in which a little bit of carbonate of ammonia has been dissolved ; rub the handkerchiefs lightly in the hands till all the spots have disappeared. Then rinse them in lukewarm water, and squeeze them as dry as possible. Take hold of the two corners and 238 THE LA UNDR Y. shake and snap each one for a few minutes. Roll in a soft towel, lightly, laying the handkerchief flat on the towel at first, squeeze tightly, and iron at once. To Wash a Fine Cambric Handkerchief, embroidered in colored silks, so that the colors do not run, the secret is to wash in a soap lather very quickly, wring thoroughly and then iron, so that it dries at once. There should be no soaking, and the embroidered corner should be kept out of the water as much as possible. A little alum in the water will make the process more sure. SILK AND COTTON HOSE. For Silk Stockings. Make a strong lather with boiling water and curd soap. Leave it to get almost cold, then divide it into two parts. Wash the stockings well in one of the lathers, pressing them Up and down, but avoid rubbing as much as possible. Squeeze out the wet, and then wash them in the second lather, in which a few drops of gin may be poured. Do not rinse in fresh water, but squeeze out the wet very carefully without wringing. Lay them out flat on a piece of fine linen, and roll them up tightly until almost dry, then rub with a roll of flannel. Black stockings wash in a cool lather of plain white soap and rain water, with a little ammonia mixed in it. Keep from the air while drying by rolling in a cloth ; do not wring, but press the moisture well out. Salt and water form a good rinse. Black Silk Stockings are apt to fade unless washed with care. Take a quarter of a pound of soft soap, the same quantity of run honey, and a large wineglassful of gin ; mix these until dissolved in a quart or three pints of warm salt water. Wash the stockings well in this and rinse them in two waters (rain water is best), squeeze them in a towel, smooth them out and lay them on a sheet to dry in some airy place, but not in the sun. Smooth them with a cool iron on the wrong side. If carefully and quickly done in this way, black silk stockings will retain their color. Black merino stockings should be washed twice in a lather of milk- warm water, and no soap rubbed on them. Rinse in cold water with salt in itWashing Black Silk Stockings; dry them quickly in the open air, if possible, and when half dry, mangle them. Colored Hose. First, they should never be soaped or soaked. If not too soiled, wash in almost cold water ; make a lather of good bar soap — white is best — and in it dissolve a small piece of alum. Use this dis- solved soap in the water, and rub the goods with the hands as far as possible. Put through two waters, and rinse in two more. A handful of salt or a spoonful of vinegarWashing Colored Hose in the rinsing water helps to brighten and hold the colors. Wash only one article at a time, and that very quickly. This is good for colored muslins, calicoes, linens and silk handkerchiefs. MUSLINS, CAMBRICS AND CALICOES. 239 When striped stockings are washed and are ready to hang up to dry, turn them wrong side out ; this will prevent the color from running on the right side and spoiling the stockings.