Page:Family receipt book.pdf/13

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

13

the cloth, and use it for polishing. The soft brush is for the same purpose, the hard brush being for ehased work, edges,and crests, so that not a portion of dry powder may remain in them. Plate should in all cases be finished with a fine dry wash-leather. Plated articles should be carefully wiped dry after washing them, else they will rust or eanker at the edges, where the silver first wears off; and on this account, also, they should be cleaned as rarely as possible. German silver may be cleaned in the same manner as plate.

FLANNEL OR WOOLLEN ARTICLES.

Wash them quickly with warm water, with soap. Wring and shake them well, and hang them up to dry. Do not let them lie wet. The more quickly they are dried, the less likely are they to shrink.

SILKS.

No silks look well after washing, however carefully it be done, and should therefore never be resorted to but from ab-solute necessity. We have seen it recommended to sponge faded silks with warm water and soap, then to rub them with a dry cloth on a flat board, after which to iron them on the inside with a smoothing iron. Sponging with spirits will also improve old black silks. The ironing may be done on the right side, with thin paper spread over them to prevent glazing.

BED FEATHERS.

Put a manageable quantity into a pillow case or bag, which wash with warm water and soap. Wring out the lather, and rinse them in clean water. Wring them as dry as possible,and hang them up to dry. Shake them frequently while drying. When quite dry, beat them to free them from any dust. They may be now taken from the bag, and are ready for use.

LACE.

When lace has lost its colour, soap it well and put it in cold water, just enough to cover it. If much discoloured,change the water at the end of twenty-four hours. When steeped sufficiently, rinse it out; starch it a little; pick it out as evenly as possible; roll it in a towel, and when nearly dry,iron it. All kinds of lace veils may be treated in a similar manner.

SCARLET CLOTH.

Pour boiling water upon bran, strain it, and, while hot, wash the cloth in it, and rinse with hot water. Soap should