The Laundry. 703 



To set colors. Sometimes a fabric shows a decided tendency to fade 

 even under the best conditions. It is always well if there is any doubt 

 on this subject to test a small piece of cloth before washing it. If it 

 fades, then an attempt should be made to set the color. With certain 

 colors, a dyer uses a mordant, a substance which forms insoluble 

 compounds with some dye-stufTs which under certain conditions unite 

 with the textile material or cloth. The same principle as mordanting 

 or making a color fast may sometimes be used by the housekeeper in 

 strengthening weak colors with satisfactory results. The household 

 mordants are brine, vinegar, sugar of lead and alum, used in the following 

 proportions : — 



To I gallon of water 

 \ cup mild vinegar, or 

 2 cups salt, or 

 1 tablespoonful alum, or 

 I tablespoonful sugar of lead (poison). 



Vinegar is best for pinks. Small pieces of cloth should be tested 

 in each of the above solutions and a choice made after experimenting. 

 The cloth should be left in the solution over night and may be left 

 in for several days with good results. It should be thoroughly dried 

 before being washed. Even with relatively strong colors, soaking a 

 fabric over night in a brine solution before washing it for the first time 

 may render it far less susceptible to fading influences. The effect of 

 brine is said not to be lasting. Colored goods are often rinsed in a dilute 

 salt solution just before drv'ing them. 



WOOLENS 



The action of water and alkalis upon wool has already been explained 

 in describing the characteristics of the wool fibre. 



Strong soaps should never be used in washing wools, nor should 

 the soap be applied directly to the garment. It should be used in solution. 

 A great deal of stress may be laid upon having the water used in washing 

 flannels not much warmer than lukewarm, for at this temperature soap 

 and water have little action on wool. It is very important to have all 

 the water used at the same temperature and to avoid changes from hot 

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

 shrinkage. Have two receptacles ready for washing the flannels. Pour 

 into the first of these, water which is 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 tablespoonful of borax or ammonia 



