PRELIMINARY PLAN

The towels used for drying dishes or the linen used for some school
entertainment may have become stained with coffee, fruit, or some other
substance. Make this the basis of a lesson, and let the pupils bring
from home other things which are stained. Each pupil should have an
article on which to practise. This lesson should be preliminary to the
lesson on laundry work.

METHOD OF WORK

Examine the various articles from which stains are to be removed.
Discuss the method of removal, and let each pupil work at her own stain
until it is as nearly removed as possible.

LESSON XIV: WASHING DISH-TOWELS, APRONS, ETC.

SUBJECT-MATTER

Dish-towels should be thoroughly washed at least once a day. Wash one
piece at a time (the cleanest first) in warm, soapy water and rinse in
clear water in another pan. Hang in the sun, if possible, so that the
air will pass through. Boil at least once a week in soapy water, to keep
them fresh and white. Sunshine and fresh air are valuable for the
purposes of bleaching and purifying.

Wash the aprons in hot, soapy water; boil, rinse, and blue slightly. A
small amount of thin starch may be desirable. A thin starch may be made
as follows:

_Recipe for Thin Starch_

2 tbsp. starch
4 tbsp. cold water
1/2 tsp. lard, butter, or paraffin
1 qt. boiling water

Add the cold water to the starch and lard, stir until smooth, then add
the boiling water slowly, stirring constantly. Boil for several minutes
in order to cook the starch thoroughly; then add one pint of cold water
and a small amount of blueing. Dilute if necessary.

Hang the articles in the sun to dry, shaking well before putting on the
line, and folding the edge of each over at least six inches. Be sure to
have the line clean. When dry, fold carefully. A short time before
ironing, sprinkle well.

PRELIMINARY PLAN

It may be desirable to give this lesson earlier in the course, if
cooking lessons are being given and dish-towels are in use, or if the
aprons are badly soiled. Other articles may be washed, if time and
facilities permit.

METHOD OF WORK

Discuss briefly the need for laundry work and the general principles.
Let the pupils take turns at washing the towels or aprons; examine each
article after it is washed, and give careful directions for the boiling,
blueing, and starching. While these processes are being completed, let
some of the pupils prepare the line. Let two of them be a