The Laundry 1123 



of ironing is increased by using raw starch, for unless the ironer is skillful 

 the starch cooks on the iron and starch specks are then produced on the 

 clothes. Moreover, raw starch gives a less durable finish than does 

 cooked starch. 



Rice starch: 



\ cup rice 



I quart boiling water 



Wash rice, cook in water until very soft. 



As water evaporates, add more to keep quantity up to I quart. 



When cooked add another quart boiling water. 



Strain, without squeezing, through double thickness cheesecloth or through 

 flannel. Use while hot. The most satisfactory starch for delicate fabrics is rice 

 starch, and it may be used in place of clear starch. 



Glue for stiffening dark clothes: 



12 ounces dark glue 



I quart water 



Boil together until glue is dissolved, cool somewhat. Dip the garment to be 

 stiffened into glue and wipe off excess of glue with piece of black cheesecloth, 

 sateen, or calico. After sprinkling roll garment in black cloth and iron on ironing 

 board covered with black cloth. Any glue left over may be saved and used again. 



To increase stiffness: 



1. Partly dry garment before starching. 



2. Add I tablespoon powdered gum arable reduced to liquid in f cup boiling 

 water, to the stiff starch mixture. 



3. Use borax. 



4. Add a small amount of glue to starch mixture. 



5. Dry quickly. 



Gum arabic as a starch substitute: 



4 tablespoons pulverized gum arabic 



1 pint cold water 



3 tablespoons alcohol 



Put water and gum arabic in saucepan and set into saucepan containing boiling 

 water. 



When dissolved, strain through cheesecloth, cool, add alcohol, pour into a bottle, 

 cork, set away for use. The alcohol acts as a preservative and the mixture may 

 be kept for any length of time. 



BLUING 



White fabrics have naturally a creamy tint, which may be deepened to 

 an unpleasant pale yellow by careless washing, by insufficient rinsing, or 

 by lack of exposure to the bleaching influence of sunlight and fresh air. 

 Bluing is used to hide the yellow color, because blue and yellow are com- 



