1331. Washing of Woollen Articles; an excellent way.—It is a common complaint that woollen articles thicken, shrink, and become discolored in washing. The complaint applies both to the lighter articles of knitted wool, such as shawls, &c., and to thicker and heavier materials—table baizes, carpets, and men's woollen garments. The difficulty in either case may be obviated by strict attention to the method about to be explained. To clear the way, it may be well first to point out some things which never ought to be done, but which frequently, perhaps generally, are done:—
1. Woollen articles are never to be washed in hard water, nor in water softened by soda, potash, or anything of that kind. Soap even should never touch them.
2. They are never to be rubbed at all.
3. They are never to be put in lukewarm water for washing, nor in cold water for rinsing.
4. They are never to remain lying still in the water a single minute.
5. They are never to be wrung.
6. When taken out of the water, they must not be laid down at all, before the process of drying is commenced, nor at any time afterwards until they are perfectly dry.
These things are to be avoided:—Now what is to be done?
1. Let the things to be washed be first well brushed and shaken, to get rid of the dust.
2. Before the woollen things are wetted at all, take care to have everything that will be required, ready and within reach.