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Wash Day: Caution

First Caution. - If the hands and arms are immersed in hot water containing turpentine, alcohol, ammonia, camphor, and similar substances, these are absorbed through the pores of the skin and may seriously imperil the health. Paralysis is said to sometimes result from this cause. Hence it is best to use these compounds only in the boiler, and to take the garments out of the first rinsing water with the clothes stick, especially if hot water is used, rather than to immerse the arms therein. When turpentine has been used in the boiling water the clothes must be very thoroughly rinsed, as if any of it remains in garments worn next the stand over night. Pour off the clear skin it may cause mischief.

Second Caution. - Substances that are strong in alkali, as potash and soda lyes and the like, are powerful cleansers, but clothes should not be allowed to lie in water that contains them for any length of time. If they are used in the boiling water the clothes must be boiled for a limited time and immediately removed and rinsed thoroughly. The alkali, as has already been explained, continues its action after decomposing greasy substances and attacks the fabrics themselves. It is injurious to the skin if not thoroughly rinsed from underwear.

Third Caution. All washing powders should be thoroughly dissolved in the boiling water before the garments are added, so that the alkali and other ingredients may be present in equal strength in all parts of the water. If these compounds are added after the clothes have been put in they may settle in spots in the folds of the garments and eat into the fabric.

Washing Fluids. - Most washing fluids amount to neither more nor less than potash or soda lye. In other words, they are liquids containing an excess of free alkali. Their use is quite customary on the ground that they do the work quickly and well and save labor, but they are open to the objection that unless used with great caution they tend to rot the clothes and to roughen and chap the hands and arms of the laundress.

They are, at best, only suitable for the coarser articles, and it is probable that their constant use weakens anything which they are employed to clean.

Caustic Soda Lye.-A common family recipe for washing fluid is caustic soda lye. Dissolve 1 pound of sal soda in 1 gallon of boiling water.

Slake separately 8 ounces of fresh quicklime in 2 quarts of water. Bring the soda solution to a boil, pour in the slaked lime in a thin stream, stirring constantly, and let the mixture lye, taking care not to disturb the sediment, and preserve in glass bottles or stone jugs. When this fluid is used it is customary to soak the clothes over night in clear waters wring them out, and soap the soiled places. The boiler is then half filled with water which is brought to a boil and 1 teacupful of this fluid is stirred in thoroughly, after which the clothes are added and boiled for half an hour, when they can be cleaned with very little rubbing. The injury that the lye may do the fabric is not likely to be noticed as a result of a single washing, and the gradual weakening of the garment is likely to be attributed to ordinary wear. Hence it is often asserted that this and other washing fluids can be used without rotting ordinary fabrics. But the injury, though slight, is certain. At all events, if such fluids are used the greatest care must be taken not to let garments lie long in the suds, to rinse them very thoroughly in two or three waters and hang them out as quickly as possible. This washing fluid may be used in hot water for scrubbing floors, removing grease spots, and cleaning greasy pots, kettles, and the like. But care must be taken not to use it on tinware or aluminum or strong enough to injure the hands.

Caustic Potash Lye.--The basis of another class of washing fluids frequently recommended is potash lye, which is perhaps even more injurious than caustic soda lye, requiring the same cautions and being open to the same objections. The addition of various other ingredients, as borax, ammonia, and the like, may be regarded as beneficial, as they tend to increase the cleansing properties of the fluid, and thus lessen the amount of pure lye necessary to do the work.

Put pound of concentrated lye in an earthenware jar or iron kettle and pour over it 1 gallon of cold water.

Stir with a wooden stick until dissolved, and let stand until cold. Dissolve, each in a separate vessel, pound of borax, pound of salts of WASH DAY tartar, and pound of lump ammonia (not aqua ammonia), using in each case as little water as possible.

After the solution of lye is cold, pour into it each of the other solutions in a thin stream, stirring constantly, pour the mixture into large glass bottles or earthenware jugs, and cork tightly. Use this washing fluid in the proportion of 1 or 2 tablespoonfuls to each pailful of water. In all cases dissolve it in the wash boiler before the clothes are put in, for if the clothes are put in first and the washing fluid afterwards, it will be stronger in some places than others, and be more likely to injure the garments.

Or put 1 pound of crude potash in an earthenware jug and pour over it 1 gallon of soft water. When cold stir in ounce of sal ammoniac and ounce of saltpeter previously dissolved in a little soft water. Use this fluid at the rate of 1 pint to 6 or 8 gallons of water.

Or dissolve separately 1/2 pound of sal soda and pound of potash lye, each in 2 quarts of water. Mix the two together and pour into a gallon jug. Use a teacupful to a boilerful of water.

Or put 1 can of potash lye in an earthenware jar, pour over it 2 gallons of cold water, and add 1 pound of borax and 1 pint of liquid ammonia. Pour into stone jugs and cork tightly. Use a teacupful to each boiler, and also half a bar of soap shaved fine.

Washing Fluids with Turpentine. -Turpentine as a washing fluid, with or without other ingredients, as camphor, alcohol, ammonia, and the like, is often recommended, but unless great caution is observed it is very likely to be injurious. These substances, especially turpentine and alcohol, open the pores of the skin and thus expose a person to the liability of taking cold in hanging out the clothes. Their frequent use is also debilitating. Hence these substances should not be used when washing is done by hand. They are only permissible where the clothes are pounded in the old-fashioned way, or the work is done by a washing machine.

Even breathing the fumes of turpentine in the steam of the laundry may be dangerous under certain circumstances, and, on the whole, these recipes should be used only with the greatest caution. Clothes washed with turpentine should be rinsed very thoroughly to remove all traces of it before being worn, as otherwise it will be injurious to the skin.

To a boilerful of hot water add 14 bars of hard soap shaved fine, 1 tablespoonful of spirits of turpentine, and 1 teaspoonful of aqua ammonia; bring to a boil and stir until all are dissolved before putting in the clothes. Or, in addition to the soap, use 1 tablespoonful of spirits of turpentine and 1 tablespoonful of powdered borax.

Or to 6 or 8 gallons of water add 1 pound of hard soap shaved fine, ounce of spirits of turpentine, and ounce of aqua ammonia.

Or 1 tablespoonful of kerosene and 1 tablespoonful of turpentine.

Or, for a washing fluid, shave 2 pounds of hard white or yellow soap into a saucepan, pour over it 1 quart of soft water, and melt with gentle heat, stirring frequently. Stir in 1 tablespoonful of white-wine vinegar, 2 tablespoonfuls of aqua ammonia, and 6 tablespoonfuls of spirits of turpentine. Pour into large glass bottles or stone jugs and cork tightly to prevent evaporation. Use this fluid at the rate of 2 tablespoonfuls to 6 or 8 gallons of the water in which the clothes are soaked, and the same quantity in the wash boiler.

To whiten clothes take spirits of turpentine, 1 tablespoonful; powdered borax, 1 tablespoonful. Mix well and use in the water in which the clothes are boiled.

Or first soap the water in which the clothes are to be boiled, then add the following: spirits of turpentine, 1 tablespoonful; aqua ammonia, 1 tablespoonful. Housekeepers who have used this washing fluid value it highly.