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Wash Day: Prepare

WASH DAY To Wash Blankets. - Choose a warm, sunny day with a gentle breeze. Prepare suds by dissolving in hot water bar of any good white hard soap, 1 tablespoonful of borax and 1 tablespoonful of aqua ammonia for each pair of blankets. Let the suds cool until they will bear the hands. Immerse the blankets and let them stand in the suds for an hour, keeping the temperature about as hot as the hands will bear by frequently adding hot water. Do not rub soap on the blankets nor scour nor rub them. Lay the Washboard Across the Tub." washboard flat across the tub, put in one blanket at a time, raise the blanket on to the washboard and go around the edge, applying the suds with a scrubbing brush and rubbing vigorously. Meantime heat sufficient water for two more lathers. Remove from the first to a second suds prepared in the same manner, seize the blanket by the middle and souse it up and down.

Squeeze and press it between the hands until clean. Rinse in three clear waters, keeping them at the same temperature as the suds, namely, as hot as the hands will bear, and run through the wringer or squeeze the water out of them rather than wring them in the usual way. Fasten by the edges to the line and frequently shake and stretch them to their proper size while drying. To have the best success in washing blankets two points must be observed, namely: to keep the water at a uniform temperature, neither boiling hot nor cold enough to chill, but as hot as the hands will bear; and not to wring or rub the blankets in such a way that the fibers will become interlaced and cause shrinking. When thoroughly dry beat the blankets while on the line with a carpet beater.

This will cause the wool to become fluffy like a new blanket.

To Wash Bedspreads. - If bedspreads are changed quite frequently they will not require soaking, but if very much soiled they may be soaked by putting them in a tub and pouring over them a boilerful of hot water in which 2 tablespoonfuls of borax has been dissolved. Prepare suds by dissolving 1 bar of hard white or yellow soap in a boilerful of hot water and wash same as other white goods. Do not use any form of soda, lye, or any washing fluids or compounds. If washed on a windy day, bedspreads will need no ironing.

Fold the edges together and pin them on the line with the wrong side out.

This not only prevents the spread from wearing across the middle, but gives it a fresher appearance than ironing.

To Wash Comforters.-Sometimes a heavy comforter can be washed by simply tacking it smoothly on a clean shingle roof and letting the rain fall on it. It is well to previously soak it for half an hour or more in a strong solution of common salt to prevent the colors running.

Or soak the comforter for an hour or two in borax water. Prepare suds as for other colored goods, with the addition of oxgall or alum and salt.

Lay the washboard across the top of the tub and apply the suds with a soft scrubbing brush, especially round the edges. Continue as in washing blankets. Those who have a supply of running water may use the garden hose for rinsing blankets, bedspreads, and comforters. Remove from the suds without wringing, hang them on a line, and drench them with water from the hose until they are rinsed thoroughly.