The cleansing of laces is best accomplished by basting on strips of cheesecloth, fastening down each point, and soaking for some time in warm, soapy water.  Squeeze out and put into fresh soapy water, repeating the process until the lace is perfectly clean, then rinse in clear boras water—­four teaspoonfuls to one pint.  Place the cheesecloth, lace down, on a flannel or other soft pad, and iron until dry.

HOW TO WASH SILK

Put white and light-colored silks and pongees through strong, tepid white soapsuds, then through a second weaker suds, rinse, press out the water with the hands, shake out all wrinkles, spread on a clean sheet, and roll tight.  Cover with a cheesecloth and iron while still damp with a not too hot iron.  No portion of silk should be allowed to dry before ironing.  If this occurs do not sprinkle, but dampen by rolling in a wet cloth.  In laundering pure white silk, slightly blue the rinsing water.  A slight firmness can be imparted to any silk by the addition of one teaspoon of gum arabic to each pint of the rinsing water.  Silk hose are laundered just as other silk, except that instead of being rolled they must be dried as quickly as possible and ironed under a damp cloth.

WASHING BLANKETS

Do not allow blankets to become very much soiled before laundering, When this becomes necessary, put to soak for fifteen minutes in plain warm water—­soft, if possible.  Then prepare a jelly with one pound of soap to each blanket, and boiling water, pour into a tub of warm water and lather well, wring the blankets from the soaking water into this and let soak for ten minutes, then rub between the hands, bit by bit, until as clean as possible, wring into the first rinsing water, which should be just warm, then rinse a second time in tepid water, and dry well without exposing to great heat.  Instead of being hung, blankets can be dried on curtain stretchers.  When dry rub with a piece of rough flannel; this makes them fluffy and soft.

WASHING CURTAINS

Curtains and draperies should be shaken and brushed free from all the dust possible, before washing.  Lace curtains, and especially those which are very fine or much worn, need dainty and careful handling.  Soak for an hour or two in warm water containing a little borax, then squeeze out the water and drop into a boiler half filled with cold water to which have been added one half bar of soap, shaved thin, two tablespoonfuls of ammonia, and one of turpentine.  Bring to a boil and let stand at the boiling point, without boiling, for half an hour, stirring occasionally with the clothes stick, rinse thoroughly, starch well with thick boiled starch, and stretch on frames to dry.  If frames are not available, pin to a carpet which has been smoothly spread with a clean sheet.  When a pure white is desired, add a little bluing to the starch water.  Water tinted with coffee will produce an ecru effect, while tea will give a more decided hue.  Muslin curtains are laundered like any other fine white goods.