The Dyeing and Cleaning of Textile Fabrics; A Handbook for the Amateur and the Professional (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1909 Excerpt: ...colors are preserved from injury. In the first place they should not be soaped or soaked over night. They should, when ready for washing, if not very dirty, be put into cold water and washed up very speedily. If very dirty, the water used may be lukewarm and no more. The soap should be as neutral as possible, and to this end a small piece of alum may be dissolved in the water in which the soap is boiled up. Have the soap thin and cold. The soap should not be allowed to remain on the article for any length of time, and should be applied and washed off and out as speedily as possible. Therefore wash one article at a time and immediately rinse in two clear baths of water. Where running water is to be had, one rinse bath is enough, and before wringing out dry the article should be soused in salty water and hung at once to dry in the shade. To Bender the Colors of Cotton Fabrics More Permanent. Dissolve 3 gills of salt in 4 quarts of hot water, put the prints in the hot liquid and allow to remain until cold. Washing after this treatment does not affect the colors nearly so badly. To Wash Chintz to Preserve the Gloss. Boil 2 lbs. of rice in 2 gallons of water till soft. Cool until quite easily comfortable to the hand, and put the chintz in, and use the soft rice like soap, and rub the article until the dirt appears to be out. Having boiled the same quantity of rice as before, strain off the water and rinse in this. No further starching is needed, and the dew will not affect it, and it will remain well starched while worn and keep clean a long time. Dry as smooth as possible and smooth with a hot-water bottle. To Wash Colored Dresses. Boil 1 lb. of best rice in 1 gallon of water for 3 hours. Best do this the day before, and warm it up the next morning, first pouri...