NATURE OF THE PROCESS Objects of Washing.—Dirt has been described as " matter which is out of place." The substances which soil garments and household linen are un objectionable in their proper places, but become dirt when transferred to wearing apparel and linen, and re quire to be removed by washing. These substances are principally of three classes: fruit, acids, ink, and other things which produce stains; animal oils, grease, or fats from the oily exu dations from the body in perspira tion; or, in the case of table linen, from foods or from other sources; and particles of earth and other sol ids, either mixed with grease, or caught in the texture of the fabric. Stains require special treatment according to the nature of the substance which pro duces them; greasy substances, as oils or fats, require to be decomposed by the use of an alkali, in soaps or oth erwise; and particles of earth and other substances, when set free from the grease in which they are usually imbedded, may be removed by the mechanical operations of rubbing and rinsing. Aside from stains, the most difficult part of washing is the decom position, without injury to the fab rics, of greasy substances by the ac tion of an alkali. Unless this point is clearly understood, good results in washing will come rather from good luck than from good management.
The means employed to remove dirt on fabrics are soaking, boiling, rub bing, and rinsing, with the use of an alkali either in soaps or in the various preparations known as washing pow ders and washing fluids.
Soaking. —The object of soaking garments is to soften the dirt and loosen it by swelling the fabric. There is no objection to soaking the clothes in pure soft water for a reasonable time, but soaking them over night in water with soap and washing fluids or powders is not advisable. The first effect of the alkali contained in soap is to soften the greasy substances which cause dirt to adhere to the fab ric, and to render them soluble in water. But if these substances are not immediately removed by washing and rinsing, another chemical action takes place which produces compounds that, while not always visible to the eye, are very much more difficult to remove. This is especially likely to
be the case if soap or other deter gents are used which contain much alkali. The result is often to give the clothes a heavy or musty smell and a dingy appearance after iron ing. Instead, try soaking the gar ments for about twenty minutes in boiling water containing borax.
Or rub soiled articles with a piece of wet soap on the morning of wash day and soak in cold water for about two hours before washing.
If clothes are soaked over night use pure soft water only, without any soap or other washing com pounds. If not, put the clothes to soak in cold soft water the very first thing in the morning while the wash water is heating and breakfast is being prepared, first rubbing soiled articles, especially the greasy spots, with a piece of wet soap before put ting them in the water.
Rubbing. — Rubbing is, of course, merely a mechanical operation, but it assists the action of soap and washing compounds by removing the greasy substances that have been decomposed by the alkali and by bringing what remains into contact with the alkaline suds.
Right here note a helpful labor saving device. Instead of rubbing the clothes in the usual way, lay the washboard across the top of the tub and apply soap to them with a scrubbing brush having rather stiff bristles. Use the brush especially for the neck, wristbands, and other spots which are especially soiled or greasy. This cleanses them much more quick ly than rubbing in the usual manner, besides being easier for the laundress and much less detrimental to the gar ment. This method is especially help ful for men's overalls, heavy blankets, and other coarse articles that are dif ficult to clean. Put the clothes through a wringer into the second tub and wash again, looking them over care fully for dirty spots.