467. To Wash White Silk Stockings

467.    To Wash White Silk Stockings. Heat some rain or soft water, and while on the fire cut into it slices of good yellow soap, to make a lather; put the stockings in while the lather is warm, but not scalding, and wash them in two such waters (a wine-glassful of gin in the first water is an improvement); rinse them well in lukewarm water, having ready a second rinsing water, in which is mixed a little blue (not the common kind, but such as is used for muslins and laces), or rose pink, which can be procured at the chemist's, and is used in the same way as the blue, by tying it up in a piece of flannel and squeezing it into the water. After rinsing, put the stockings between towels and let them get almost dry; place them on a small sheet, lay them out quite flat, as they are when first purchased, tack them to the sheet with a needle and thread, turn the sheet over them, and have them mangled. If it is not convenient to have them mangled (run between weighted rollers), the next best plan is to put four or six stockings one upon the other between a piece of muslin, lay them on a stone doorstep, and beat them with the rolling pin. They must not be mangled or beaten in towels, as the pattern of the towels would be impressed on them. If the stockings have lace fronts they will more particularly require the tacking mentioned above to make them look nice. No soda or washing powder of any kind must be put to them, and they must be done quickly, and not left lying about.

468. To Clean Soiled Bed Ticks

468.    To Clean Soiled Bed Ticks. Apply starch by rubbing it in thick with a wet cloth, then put the tick in the sun. "When dry, rub it with the hands. If necessary, repeat the process, and the soiled part will be as clean as new.

469. To Restore the Gloss Finish on Woolen Goods, removed by Washing

469.    To Restore the Gloss Finish on Woolen Goods, removed by Washing. Brush the cloth over, the way of the cloth, with a brush wetted with very weak gum-water ; lay over it a sheet of paper or a piece of cloth, and put it under a weight or in a screw-press until dry. This will restore the original gloss to the dull spot often left after washing out a stain.

470. To Remove Stains from Black Crape and Mourning Dresses

470.    To Remove Stains from Black Crape and Mourning Dresses. Boil a handful of fig-leaves in 2 quarts of water, until reduced to a pint. Squeeze the leaves, strain the liquor, and put it into a bottle for use. Bombazines, crape, cloth, etc., should be rubbed with a sponge dipped in this liquor, and most stains will be instantly removed.

471. To Clean a White Lace Veil

471.    To Clean a White Lace Veil. Boil the veil gently for 15 minutes in a solution of white soap; put it into a basin holding warm water and soap, and keep gently squeezing it (do not rub it) till it is clean, and then rinse it from the soap. Then take a vessel of cold water, into which put a drop or two of chemic (see No. 162 (Fustic Green on Cloth)) or liquid blue; rinse the veil in it. Have ready some very clear gum arabic water, or some thin rice-water. Pass the veil through it. Then stretch it out even, and pin it to dry on a linen cloth, making the edge as straight as possible; opening out all the scallops, and fastening each with pins. When dry, lay a piece of thin muslin smoothly over it, and iron it on the wrong side.