This section is from the book "Around-The-World Cook Book", by Mary Louise Barroll. Also available from Amazon: Around-the-world cook book.
The washing of clothes can be made much easier by soaking them overnight, especially clothes that are particularly soiled, in water to which has been added a tablespoon of kerosene. In the morning wring out the clothes, and put them in a boiler, to which has been added another tablespoon of kerosene, then rinse through cold water, and hang them out.
 
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