LAUNDRY UTENSILS Utensils for Washing.—The list of utensils for the laundry includes wash boiler, wringer, washboard, washing machine, three or four tubs, two or three pails, clothes stick, dipper, and large and small clothes baskets. Wood en tubs and pails are the most com mon, but those made of paper or wood pulp are to be preferred, as they are lighter and will not fall to pieces if allowed to dry.
The Boiler.—The ordinary tin boil ers are commonly used, but a copper or steel boiler enameled white on the inside and painted some suitable color outside is the best. Tubs and boilers should be fitted with faucets to avoid lifting and the liability of accident in carrying hot suds from place to place. With good care a wash boiler should last a lifetime. Hence it is advisable to buy the best.
The Wringer.—The principal cost of a wringer is in the rubber rollers, and it is true economy to buy an ar ticle that has rolls made of pure rub ber, and that may cost $5 or $6, rather than a cheap article having rollers made of a composition that will last but a short time. When the rollers begin to wear, wrap them round with straps of strong, un bleached cotton cloth. This will lengthen their usefulness many years.
Washing Machine.—We especially recommend the purchase of a good washing machine. Like the sewing machine this instrument has a very important bearing upon the welfare of the family by lessening the physical labor devolving upon the wife and mother, and thus saving much of her energy for the higher and more ele vating duties of the household. We believe that any of the standard makes of washing machines are to be recom mended in preference to the ordinary washboard, which is only a relic of barbarism. But we especially recom mend the make which contains an in ner cylinder in which the clothes are placed, and which is revolved in an outer cylinder containing water. This
method tends to cleanse the clothes evenly and with the least possible wear. Other makes accomplish the re sult by holding the clothes stationary, agitating the water, and squeezing the goods, very much after the fashion of the old-style clothes pounder; and still others revolve the garments in the tub by means of prongs, reversing the motion from time to time. The last method is perhaps the least satis factory. When the • clothes are sud denly stopped and sent backward by the reverse motion they are subjected to a considerable strain. But even this method wears out the garments far less than does rubbing on the washboard, and we strongly recom mend some washing machine to every household. If the clothes are first boiled with soap and kerosene, or other good washing fluid, they can be run through the washer in about five minutes. Colored clothes cannot, of course, be boiled, and will require a longer time to wash.
Small Utensils.—A small toy wash board is useful for washing dish tow els, hand towels, handkerchiefs, hose, and light neckwear; also to take to summer resorts on vacations, as laun dry bills in these places are always considerable. A small flatiron is also useful for ironing ruffles, puffings, or laces. Both these articles can be put in the trunk, and the iron can be heated over an alcohol lamp and used to press ribbons and neckwear. A 5-gallon lard can, which can be pur chased for 95 cents, is a useful sub stitute for a boiler in washing small articles that are too dainty to put in the regular wash.
Or small articles may be inclosed in cloth bags before being put in the wash boiler.