1 1 12 The Cornell Reading-Courses 



fabrics or wools are to be washed in hard water, borax is one of the best 

 alkalis to use for softening the water ; therefore it should be on the laundry 

 shelf for that purpose if for no other. 



Ammonia {ammonium hydroxid) . — Ammonia is another good alkali for 

 softening water when it is not advisable to use stronger alkalis. Ammonia 

 is a very volatile substance, consequently it should be used only when the 

 laundry process is to be conducted quickly. It is better and cheaper to 

 purchase the full-strength ammonia from a druggist and then dilute it, 

 than to buy the article known as household ammonia, which is of unknown 

 strength. 



To soften water. — Both permanently and temporarily hard water may 

 be softened by distillation, but that method involves apparatus not prac- 

 ticable for the average home. 



If water is temporarily hard, however, it may be softened by being 

 boiled, then allowed to stand until the lime settles. The top water is 

 afterward drawn off. The method of boiling water to soften it is without 

 doubt the best if it softens the water sufficiently, as no harmful chemicals 

 are left in the water to injure fabrics. 



Either temporarily or permanently hard water may be softened by adding 

 lime or washing soda to the water, then allowing it to stand in open kegs 

 for several days before its use. The water should then be drawn from the 

 top. If the water is boiled after the addition of the softening agent, the 

 time for standing may be considerably lessened. Neither of the two proc- 

 esses just described is much in use in the household, as the time con- 

 sumed by them is often considered unwarranted. The more common 

 method is to add washing soda, lye, borax, or ammonia at the time of 

 washing. The addition of one of those substances at that time prevents 

 the action of the lime on the soap. A good suds may thus quickly be pro- 

 cured, but it does not rid the water of the lime-soap curd which forms and 

 which, in part at least, becomes entangled in the pores of the cloth. The 

 entangled curd has a weakening action on the fabric and gives it a close, 

 filled-in appearance. 



The only satisfactory method of getting rid of iron is to add washing 

 soda to the water, then let the water settle for five or six days before using 

 it. The top water is afterward drawn oft. 



Water may be softened by any of the following methods : 



1. For each gallon of water, use two tablespoons of a solution made 

 by dissolving one pound of washing soda in one quart of boiling water. 

 The solution should be bottled and kept on hand, as it is a useful cleansing 

 agent (detergent). 



2. For each gallon of water use one fourth tablespoon of lye dissolved 

 in one cup of water. 



