Boiling.—Boiling is also a median ical process, as the steam passing through the garments agitates them and loosens the particles of dirt con tained in their texture. Boiling water and steam also increase the activity of the alkali in attacking and decom posing the grease.
Laundry—Rinsing.—Rinsing is a mechanical operation for removing the excess of soap, with the dirt, glyc erin, anN other impurities that have been released by the action of the washing compounds.
These processes should be firmly fixed in mind, and the nature and properties of soap and other cleansing compounds should be fully understood by all who wish to obtain satisfactory results in washing.
The principal object of rinsing clothes is to remove the excess of soap. Hence they must be thor oughly rinsed until all the suds dis appear from the water. If plenty of hot water can be had it should be used for the first rinsing, as the soap contained in the garment will dissolve in hot water much more readily than in cold. It is customary, however, to lift the clothes from the boiler direct ly into a tub of cold rinsing water, rinse thoroughly, wring out into a second rinsing water, and continue rinsing until all trace of soap disap pears. If any soap is left in the gar ments it will unite with the bluing and make the clothes yellow. After the final rinsing and bluing the arti cles must be wrung out, rolled in bun dles, and sorted, starched pieces being placed in one basket and un starched ones in another, and hung up to dry at once. It is a good idea to first spread a large, clean cloth in the bottom of the basket.
Plan for Wash Day.—The following routine is especially recommended: get up at daylight and get the wash ing out of the way as early as possi ble. It is surprising how much can
be accomplished early in the morning before the regular routine of the day begins.
First Boiling.—Next fill the boiler with clear soft water, or if the water is hard, add borax to soften it. Put it on the stove and bring to a boil. Rinse out the tubs with hot water and soap to remove any dust that may have accumulated. When the clothes have been well soaked, run them through a wringer or wring them out lightly by hand, put them in tubs half filled with hot water from the boiler, and rub on the washboard, using plenty of soap. Or use the washing machine.
Second Boiling.—Run them again through the wringer and put them in a boiler with cold water over the fire. The articles may be rubbed separate ly with soap as they come from the wringer before being placed in the boiler, or shaved hard soap or other washing compounds may be dissolved in the water in which the clothes are boiled. If washing fluids or powders are used care must be taken to dis solve them in the water before the clothes are put in, as otherwise they may settle in the folds of the fabrics and eat holes in them with the excess of alkali they contain. Let the clothes come to a boil, pressing them down occasionally with a clothes stick. The first boiler should contain the first sorting of fine linen, and while these are coming to a boil the second sort ing may be in the process of rubbing. The boiler should be emptied and re filled with cold water every time a new lot is put in. Clothes should be lifted from the boiler with a clothes stick, held up to drain slightly, and placed in a tubful of clear, cold rins ing water.