an hour or two in warm water containing a little borax, then
squeeze out the water and drop into a boiler half filled with cold
water to which have been added one half bar of soap, shaved thin, two
tablespoonfuls of ammonia, and one of turpentine. Bring to a boil and
let stand at the boiling point, without boiling, for half an hour,
stirring occasionally with the clothes stick, rinse thoroughly, starch
well with thick boiled starch, and stretch on frames to dry. If frames
are not available, pin to a carpet which has been smoothly spread with
a clean sheet. When a pure white is desired, add a little bluing to
the starch water. Water tinted with coffee will produce an ecru
effect, while tea will give a more decided hue. Muslin curtains are
laundered like any other fine white goods.

TIDYING UP AND SPRINKLING

The last article being hung on the line, each implement used in the
process of washing must be cleaned, dried, and put in its place, the
laundry floor scrubbed, and everything made spick and span; then comes
the sprinkling and rolling of the piles of snowy, sweet-smelling linen,
all full of fresh air and sunshine, to make a little rest time after
the vigorous exercise which precedes it. It must be done with care as
much depends upon it. Table linen, unless taken from the line while
still moist, should be sprinkled very damp, folded evenly, rolled and
wrapped in a white cloth, and placed in the clothes basket, which has
been previously lined with an old sheet. Bed linen and towels require
very little dampening; they, too, to be rolled and placed with the
table linen. Sprinkle body linen well, particularly the lace and
embroidery trimmings, roll tight, wrap, and add to the growing pile in
the basket. The kitchen towels which have just come from the line may
be utilized for wrapping purposes. Handkerchiefs receive the same
treatment as napkins in sprinkling, folding, and ironing. Although
everything irons more easily after being rolled for some time, thus
evenly distributing the dampness, an exception must be made of colored
clothing, which must not be sprinkled more than half an hour before it
is ironed. When the sprinkling is all done, cover the basket with a
damp cloth, then with a dry one, and leave till ironing time. If a
coal range is in use, see that the fire is burning steadily,
replenishing from time to time, first on one side, then on the other,
brush off the top of the stove, wipe the iron