In washing, put one pound of this soap to each pailful of water. After soaking the white clothes in lukewarm water over night, boil them in this mixture one hour and no more, or they will be injured. Then take them into a tub of cold water, and proceed just as you do
in the common mode after you take them out of the boil. That is, rinse them in one or two waters and put them in blue water. The boiling in this mixture saves the rubbing in two suds, which is the common mode. If there are spots very much soiled, put on soap and rub them in the first rinse water. Flannels and calicoes cannot be washed thus. The mixture can be used twice or thrice, and then is good to wash floors with. Always wring clothes very dry the last time.
On Sprinkling, Folding and Ironing.
Wipe the dust from the ironing board or table. Take lukewarm water and sprinkle all the articles, laying the coloured ones separately and the fine ones by themselves. Turn each article right side out. Fold and roll each piece separately, putting the fine ones in a towel and laying all in a basket, separating the white and coloured ones by a towel. Do not let the coloured clothes be damp long, but wait till you can iron them as soon after folding as will answer. Shake, stretch and
fold the sheets and table linen. Iron all lace and needle work on the wrong side. Iron calicoes with an iron not very hot. Frocks are to be ironed thus; first the waist, then the sleeves, and then hang them on a chair, and iron the skirt. Keep the skirt rolled, while ironing the waist and sleeves.
Shirts are ironed thus; first the back, then the sleeves, then the collar and bosom, then the front. Iron stockings on the wrong side. Wipe the dust from the clothes frame before putting on the clothes, and remove the clothes as soon as aired, to save them from smoke or flies.
Other Kitchen Work.
Be careful to keep your sink in order by frequent scalding. Keep a slop pail at hand to receive all refuse matter. Always keep a kettle of warm soft water over the fire.
Be very careful to wash dishes properly, as this is a matter very often done amiss. I will tell you how those persons do this kind of work, who are ranked as the best domestics.
In the first place, they always keep a good supply of dish cloths. They have at least three in daily use, one for dishes that are not greasy, one for greasy dishes, and one for pots and kettles. These are put in the wash every week, and clean ones taken in their place. This prevents the musty, greasy smell that dish water so often leaves on dishes and dish towels.