When expensive flannels are being washed, it is better to employ two persons. The flannel then can be passed from the soapy lather quickly by the one to the other, who can rinse it immediately in the clear water. By the time it is rinsed, wrung, and hung out, the next flannel should be ready to be treated in the same manner.

Every housewife should, if possible, possess a wringer; it spares the clothes, preserves their colour, enables them to dry quickly, and saves labour.

If you have no wringer, wring out each article separately with the hands, roll in a clean cloth, and leave until the next one is ready; then take it out of the cloth, shake well, and hang out to dry, or put before the fire.

While flannels are drying, even out of doors, it is advisable to shake them once or twice, and to pull each into shape.

When dry, turn, fold, and press them; but take care to see that the irons are not too hot or the ironing blanket too thick. The flannels may then be aired and put away.

Any buttons that have been carelessly pulled off should be sewn on before laying aside.

Children's Flannels

In washing infants' flannels, great care must be taken, as they must not be soaked either in very hot or cold water, which will thicken the material and give the articles a felt-like appearance.

Take the soiled parts, and wash them in a little heated soapy water; then immerse the flannel or garment in fresh water, as hot and as soapy as before; lightly rub all over. Quickly wring from this water, and rinse in a clear one that has had a little borax powder stirred into it, the heat still being the same as the other waters - just as hot as the hands can bear with comfort. Wring out, shake well, pull into shape, and dry immediately.

Merino and woollen underwear, nuns'-veiling garments, woollen shawls and mufflers, may be treated in the same way as flannels.

Washing Blankets

When washing blankets, don't spare the soap jelly, but remember that it must be all rinsed out thoroughly before wringing.

New blankets require double the amount of soap jelly that is needed for those that have been washed before. On no account put more than one blanket into the water at a time. Each blanket must be well immersed and thoroughly rubbed all over, wrung out, and quickly placed in the clear water, which should be slightly blued. If this does not remove the soap, a third water may be used, but must be used quickly. Next pass the blanket through the wringer, and shake well.

When hanging out, do not pull the blankets too tightly, and, when drying, be sure to reverse the sides once or twice. It is advisable to shake each one carefully before it becomes quite dry.