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Classic
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page 453
TO WASH FLANNELS.
The first thing to consider in washing flannels so that they retain their size,
is, that the article be washed and rinsed in water of the same temperature, that
is, about as warm as the hands can bear,and not allowed to cool between. The
water should be a strong suds. Rub through two soapy waters; wring them out, and
put into plenty of clear, clean, warm water to rinse. Then into another of the
same temperature, blued a little. Wring, shake them well, and hang up. Do not
take out of this warm water and hang out in a freezing air, as that certainly
tends to shrink them. It is better to dry them in the house, unless the sun
shines. They should dry quickly. Colored flannels should never be washed in the
same water after white clothes, or they will be covered, when dry, with lint;
better be washed in a water for themselves. In washing worsted, such as merino
dress goods, pursue the same course, only do not wring them hard; shake, hang
them up and let drain. While a little damp, bring in and press smoothly on the
wrong side with as hot an iron as can be used without scorching the goods.
Flannels that have become yellow from being badly washed, may be nicely whitened
by soaking them two or three hours in a lather made of one-quarter of a pound of
soft soap, two tablespoonfuls of powdered borax, and two tablespoonfuls of
carbonate of ammonia, dissolved in five or six gallons of water.
TO STARCH, FOLD AND IRON SHIRTS.
To three tablespoonfuls of dry, fine starch allow a quart of water. First wet
the starch smooth in a little cold water in a tin pan, put into it a little
pinch of salt and a piece of enamel, or shirt polish, the size of a bean, or a
piece of clean tallow, or a piece of butter the size of a cranberry; pour over
this a quart of boiling water, stirring rapidly, placing it over the fire. Cook
until clear, then remove it from the fire and set the pan in another of warm
water to keep the starch warm.
Turn the shirt wrong side out and dip the bosom in the hot starch as warm as the
hands can bear the heat; rub the starch evenly through the linen, saturating it
thoroughly; wring hard to make dry as possible. Starch the collar and wristbands
the same way; then hang them out to dry. Three hours before ironing them, wet
the bosoms and cuffs in cold water, wring out, shake and fold, roll up tightly,
wrap in a towel and let remain two or three hours.
The back of the shirt should be ironed first by doubling it lengthwise through
the centre, the wristbands may be ironed next, and both sides of the sleeves;
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