1 1 36 The Cornell Reading-Courses 



all the waters used of the same temperattire, in order to avoid changes 

 from hot to cold water, or vice versa, as sudden changes in temperature 

 cause shrinkage. 



Have two receptacles ready for washing flamiels. Povir into one of them 

 water not too hot for the hand to bear comfortably. Add enough soap 

 solution made from a neutral or mild soap or a wool soap to make a good 

 suds. If the water is hard, or the clothing is very much soiled, add a 

 tablespoon of borax or ammonia for each gallon of water used. Shake 

 or brush the garments free from dust, and put them into the water to soak 

 for ten or fifteen minutes. Before beginning to wash the flannels, prepare 

 a second tub of water having the same temperature as that of the first 

 or a slightly higher temperature.. Wash one garment at a time by drawing 

 through the hands and washing up and down in the water ; avoid rubbing 

 if possible. Pass the garments from the first to the second water; the 

 second water should be a suds if the first suds has not removed all the soil. 

 Rinse free of soap in several waters; be sure to keep the temperature con- 

 stant. Wring through a loosely set wringer. Turn wrong side out and 

 hang in a warm place, but not near a fire as heat will cause shrinkage. 

 When nearly dry, turn. When drying, shape by pulling and stretching. 



It is a mistake to ascribe all the shrinl<:age in woolen garments to wash- 

 ing. The moisture, heat, and movements of the body may cause a marked 

 shrinkage. 



If flannels are to be pressed, they should be allowed to dry first and should 

 then be covered with a slightly dampened piece of cheesecloth and ironed 

 with a moderately hot iron. The cheesecloth draws up the fibers of the 

 flannel, giving it the flufly appearance of a new garment. Underwear 

 and woolen stockings should be stretched into shape and should not be 

 ironed. For very soiled garments the soap formula given under the head- 

 ing " Soap " will be useful. 



Blankets are washed in the same way as other woolen articles, except 

 that, because of their size, only two blankets or only one pair of them 

 are washed at a time, and fresh water is used for each pair. After wring- 

 ing, they may be stretched and dried on curtain stretchers. If stretchers 

 are not available, blanlcets should hang on the line until perfectly dry, 

 and occasionally the water should be squeezed from the hanging ends. 

 To press them, fold them evenly and carefully and wrap them in a sheet. 

 Keep them smooth and unwrinlded and place a flat board over them. 

 Weight heavily and let them remain thus for several days. 



Washing silk 

 Silk should be washed in much the same way as wool. While it is not 

 so strongly affected by soaps and alkalis as is wool, its gloss is destroyed 



