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Wash Day: Rubbing

If clothes are soaked over night use pure soft water only, without any soap or other washing compounds. If not, put the clothes to soak in cold soft water the very first thing in the morning while the wash water is heating and breakfast is being prepared, first rubbing soiled articles, especially the greasy spots, with a piece of wet soap before putting them in the water. Rubbing. - Rubbing is, of course, merely a mechanical operation, but it assists the action of soap and washing compounds by removing the greasy substances that have been decomposed by the alkali and by bringing what remains into contact with the alkaline suds.

Right here note a helpful laborsaving device. Instead of rubbing the clothes in the usual way, lay the washboard across the top of the tub and apply soap to them with a scrubbing brush having rather stiff bristles. Use the brush especially for the neck, wristbands, and other spots which are especially soiled or greasy.