Practical laundry work for home and school

Front matter

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"♦'LAUNDRY

Foreword

My first thought on seeing this new book on " Laundry Work " was — Can anything new or interesting be written on this subject ? After reading the work I venture to predict that its readers will find it both useful and interesting, not only to those who teach the subject, but to all housewives who are anxious to know how household linen should be cared for and handled.

If we turn to the chapters on " Sorting " and " Folding " (the latter a particularly well-written and carefully illustrated secticn), we find all the necessary information so clearly and concisely put that both the trade expert (to whom the book will be especially valuable) and the " Domestic Subjects' Instructress " cannot fail to do and to teach the work most thoroughly.

From the very clear and telling drawings the teacher can readily illustrate her lesson upon the blackboard with sketches and diagrams, which provide an ever helpful aid towards securing the interest of the pupils.

If the methods, so minutely described in this book, for the cleaning and preservation of the household linen are carried out, washing day will cease to be the burden it is at present frequently considered.

The book shows a thoroughly practical knowledge of the subject, and I wish it every success.

E. M. BURGWIN.

Preface

The main object of this work is to advance the cause of cleanliness, daintiness, and self-respect. Its simplicity and the extent of its detail are due to a desire to help the beginner, both at home and in the trade ; and the methods have been explained with considerable minuteness, so that students and intending teachers may find in it all the assistance they are likely at any time to require.

In the Laundry business, bright, intelligent girls are in great demand. Beginning as a worker, such a girl, if she acquires a sound knowledge of the technical details of routine and organization, will soon earn promotion and find herself in a position of some authority, managing others as the head of a department. Skilled workers, too, have no difficulty in securing remunerative posts ; indeed, of late years, the demand has always exceeded the supply, and employers have frequently been compelled to engage workers of inferior calibre.

The reason for the shortage of labour has lain largely in prejudice. It has been stated and believed that the work is unhealthy and monotonous, and the hours inord:n2.tcly long. The latter part of the charge has some foundation in fact, but many leading employers have come to recognise its truth, and there is now a tendency for the hours to be less long. Long practical experience, however, qualifies me to declare emphatically that the standaid of health among laundry workers is high, and the occupation is not necessarily at all injurious or fatiguing. The work, being largely manual, calls for considerable initial activity and strength. As regards monotony, no one with any knowledge of the work could ever pronounce it to be tedious : there is such a constant change, and the various articles pass so rapidly from hand to hand, that the workers' interest seldom slackens.

Teachers of Evenmg and Elementary classes ma}' accomplish much by preparing girls in a business-like way with a groundwork of the essential details which are set forth in this book. Hitherto, many of the girls trained

VI PREFACE.

at Laundry Centres have not proved altogether acceptable to the trade, the methods learned being considerably different from those in actual practical, everyday use in a laundry. I shall be gratified if this httle volume serves as one step towards the more practical equipment of such students.

My thanks are due to Miss E. R. Hambridge for her skill and ready understanding in preparing the drawings, which so clearly elucidate the text besides being purposely so drawn that they can be copied on the blackboard or prepared on brown paper for class demonstration, and for her other kind assistance and advice ; and to Mr. F. E. Mekelburg, whose care and dexterity have brought out the essential details so prominently in his excellent photographs.

L. W.

Contents

CHAP.

PAGE

I-'OREWORD .

Chapter I Sorting And Preparing Linen For The Wash

It is absolutely essential, before commencing to wash linen, to look over and sort out all articles that are to be laundered, carefully separating the different classes of linen from each other. In commercial laundries this sorting out, •or separating of different classes of garments, is done in a special department ; but quite as much care is needed for home washing as for business purposes, if the best possible results are to be obtained. It is also necessary to examine garments when left off for washing, in case pins or needles may have been carelessly left in. Another essential point is the turning out of all pockets in aprons, dresses, trousers, coats, waistcoats, etc. Much damage may be caused to other articles through odd things that may have been left in pockets, and washed in them. Even a thread of coloured cotton will cause endless trouble, while lead pencils, metal buttons, or anything made up of leather, •are simply a nightmare to the person who has to remedy the results of such carelessness in the sorting.

. It will be found perfectly easy to do the separating if a little method is introduced.

First of all, collect the soiled linen together. Then sort out all —

1. Best white work, such as shirts, collars, cuffs, and handkerchiefs.

2. Fine starched work, such as frocks, blouses, pinafores, bonnets, camisoles, etc.

■Classes 1 and 2 can invariably be both washed and boiled together.

3. .\11 body linen, night-dresses, nightshirts, pillow-slips, etc.

4. Table linen, toilet covers, tray cloths, serviettes, etc.

5. Sheets, towels, bath towels, etc.

6. Tea towels, rubbers, etc.

7. Flannel garments.

8. Coloured garments.

The reason for separating the different classes of linen can quite easily be understood. Take, for instance, the first and second sets alluded to, i.e., shirts, collars, lace pieces, etc. These articles are usually of fairly fine texture, -and would, if mixed with coarser and possibly much dirtier linen, become quite a bad colour. The fineness of the articles also necessitates their being kept separate from larger and heavier garments, as there is a possibility of their getting tangled, and thereby torn.

In class 3 above, there is the necessity for keeping this work to itself on account of such garments being worn near the skin, and receiNnng a large amount of the greasy moisture exuded from the body- Table linen of any description is best washed absolutely b}? itself. This type of linen is quite easily cleaned, a very small amount of friction being needed, though stains, of course, will require attention. The articles in class 6 it is absolutely necessar}' to keep apart, owing to the nature of the dirt in them.

Muslin or lace curtains should be kept separate and treated in quite a special manner. It is best, on removing them from the windows, to steep them in cold water straight away, thus preventing the dust and smoke from penetrating other articles. However often curtains are washed, they are bound to contain a certain amount of soot and dust from the atmosphere, which can onlj' be eradicated by immersing these articles in cold water, and changing this cold water several times. If this is done before washing is commenced, time will be saved, as they will then be ready to wash after white articles. It is a good plan, if a bath is available with water laid on, to put the curtains into the bath, remove the plug, turn the water on, and let it flow through them. By doing this, the dust is more easily removed, and there is much less risk of tearing them, since they have not to be moved about. Curtains and hangings are always more or less rotted with the sun and dust, and therefore they require extremely careful handling.

It must be distinctly understood that all flannel and coloured garments must be kept separate from white cotton goods. This is a most important part of successful laundering. It is not at all unusual to see a person commencing to wash with all sorts and conditions of articles mixed up in a haphazard fashion. Coloured and white garments are washed together, and then surprise is felt that they have not a clear appearance when finished. In Laundry work, forethought is as much required as actual technical knowledge. This is, perhaps, rather a broad statement ; but it is likely that the average housewife would make a far better laundress if she exercised alittle more care, however limited the knowledge she possesses.

If a supply of hot water is easily obtainable otherwise, it is unnecessary to light the copper until actually commencing to wash ; the first and best lot of clothes can then be put into the copper as they are washed, and beings slowly brought to the boil, will acquire a far better colour than if put into quite hot water.

As a broad rule, the writer does not approve of soaking, but there are occasions when, by its means, the actual washing is made easier and the final results are more satisfactory. For instance, body linen should not be soaked in cold water, owing to the presence of the greasy moisture already' referred to. If, however, it is extraordinarily dirt}', soaking in lukewarm soapy water will be found to assist greatly the process of washing. It has been proved on more than one occasion that lukewarm soft water is far better than the so largely used cold " break down."

Chapter II Trade Notes On Sorting

It is an established fact that no laundry, however well equipped, is satisfactory without a good system in the sorting-room. Round this department, and proceeding from it, is either the success or failure of the business. It can be quite well understood that unless it sends out clean and well-finished work, no laundry will keep its clientele, but on the other hand, however well the work may be turned out, if mistakes are constantly being made, customers, however lenient, will sooner or later become tired out, and take their custom elsewhere.

Many launderers have the idea that, so long as the sorting-room is of a fair size in proportion to the work done, that is all that is necessary. Practical experience proves that if more care is expended, and the fitting-up made a little more adequate in the sorting-room or rooms, mistakes in checking become fewer, and therefore " shorts " are not quite so numerous. Sorting-rooms exist where there is not even a table or bench for the sorter to lay books, etc., on, hampers having to be stacked up for this purpose. .Such careless equipment is likely to encourage a similar carelessness with regard to detail on the part of the worker.

If really sound, accurate work is expected, every encouragement should be given the sorters to keep a tidy room, each one having her own bench, or portion of one. All work should be kept off the floor as much as possible. In planning the room, it is wise to have the tables down the centre, and holders suspended over the tables for the different coloured cottons that may be used, so that the reels are not constantly being swept on to the floor, thus causing the cotton to become unwound, tangled, and wasted. It is a perfectly simple matter to keep the tables in the sorting-room in quite a tidy condition, therebv facilitating the accuracy of the workers.

However good a " head " the room may have, if the tables are allowed to be strewn with all sorts and conditions of rubbish that may be turned out of the hampers with the work, it will be absolutely impossible to be quite certain that one customer's work is not being mixed with that of another. The starting-point of the majority of " shorts " is, that a customer's work is " checked " and " thrown off," but possibly one or more small articles will be left on the table mixed up with waste paper, etc. The next customer's work will come along, and the left-over articles will, perhaps, be marked for this second customer, and unless the packer is very smart a wholesale muddle results when the packing is done, mistakes having been made which quite probably can never be rectified.

It is a good plan to require packers to provide themselves with scissorsand a thimble. Untidv marking is often the result of not possessing these articles. If long ends are left attached to the mark made, these cause it to look much larger than it really is, and certainly make the deciphering of the mark more difficult when the " racking-up " time comes along. It works well if each sorter attaches her own scissors to the belt of her apron, with her black lead pencil — which should not be indelible, much damage being caused should a piece of it get mixed with the work in the wash. With reference to inkmarking, customers as a rule do not like this style of thing. Intending customers frequently inquire if it is employed in the laundry. Cotton works out more economically, the marking being clone quite as quickly and with lessdamage to customers' linen, which in the long run must be better for the launderer.

Other important items in the sorting-room are the bins to recei\'e the work when it is " thrown off." Each should be labelled with the name of the kind of article it is intended to contain, and there should be sufficient bins to take all the different classes of work separately. Wash-house men are sometimes too eager to make up a " load," and mix together various classes of work which should be washed separately. If sorters know that this is likely tO' happen thev may become careless in the throwing off of the work, thinking that ultimately it may be mixed again in the wash-liouse. Sorters and wash-house men both need watchful supervision in the mutual interests of both of these departments.

It has been proved that it is a very bad plan to mix handkerchiefs with body linen or starched work, their colour being not nearly so good as when they are washed alone ; hence they should each have a separate bin. This sounds somewhat difficult to accomplish, as in many instances there are not a great number of handkerchiefs to a " journey " of work.

In many wash-houses a small machine is kept for " specials," and in this case no trouble need be experienced ; but if only large machines are in use it is advisable to gather the handkerchiefs — say — of the first three " journeys " together and make one " load " of them, and make this " load " the last of " first journey " washing, so that they go through into the ironing or calender room with the " first journey " work. In this way the packers receive them for racking quite in time with the other work, and can sort all out, puttingaside for the later journey those which they do not require at once.

Bath towels are another instance of separate treatment being required. Owing to their texture and substance, very careful handling is required to> ensure a good colour.

If this point is urged, many launderers will object : " Oh, but customers do not pay us for all this extra time and trouble ! " It is admitted that prices are cut just as fine as it is possible for them to be, but with a good system the work can be turned out far better, a.nd much more cheaply, than if it is rushed through in a haphazard fashion.

TRADE NOTES ON SORTING 13

The checking of customers' books is another section of the work where neatness and accuracy are required, though many sorters think that so long as some kind of mark is put against the article to denote that it has been received, that is quite sufficient. Actually a great saving could be accomplished if the checking-in and the pricing of garments were more carefully gone into.

Few launderers meet with a customer who is generous, or even honest enough, to remind them that he or she has been undercharged for a certain article. Apart from dresses and blouses, the charge for which may be anything from fourpence onwards, there are many small articles which pass through the sorting-room and ought to receive a special mark as to price. These go through, receiving a considerable amount of attention in the wash-house and ironing-room ; and if the matter is looked into, it is found that the price charged to the customer does not cover the cost of the actual work expended on them, apart from receiving, sending out, etc.

Some managers hold that " one thing pays in with another," but this is not a correct basis for a scale of charges, which ought to depend entirely on the expenditure of time and labour involved. One responsible and thoroughly competent person in a sorting-room, part of whose duty it is to price all the work, may substantially safeguard the financial side of the business.

If there is only one sorting-room, all bins should be carefully cleared out at the finish of a " journey," that no stray articles may be left in corners. Care should be taken that all fancy and " special " work is given out quite separately.

A short explanation may be useful with regard to sorting fancy, coloured, and flannel goods. This is a most important item of the sorter's duties, and requires careful discrimination. In cases where the flannels are washed in a rotary machine, discretion is needed to judge the class of the flannel or woollen garments that are going to be mixed with the load for the machine. Similarly with coloured goods, it is far better in the long run to wash a few extra by hand, than have possibly a whole load spoilt through the presence of one article of the wrong class, which has been overlooked.

No coloured or flannel work should be put into any washing machine without some responsible person having previously inspected it. Many of the best laundries are finding it more expedient, as well as cheaper, to have all flannels and woollens washed by hand, on account of the spoiling and shrinkage that occur in the machine. This can be done without necessarily costing an undue amount, if the forewoman or head wash-house man sorts, and gives out the work to the washers, and sees that the articles really call for hand-washing.

Flannelettes and garments with a mixture of cotton in the manufacture are quite safely washed in the machine, and in many cases are improved by this process.

If two sorting-rooms are available, the clearing of the work into the wash-house will be much more simple. The sorting of the next " journey " can be in progress while the previously sorted work is being cleared out. Thus two comparatively small sorting-rooms are much better than one really large room, as both time and labour are saved.

Chapter III The Removal Of Stains— Utensils

In considering the question of washing for the home, it isnecessarj- to study both ease and expense, as well as the quality of the ultimate result. There are a great many preparations for washing on the market nowadays, which are supposed to cleanse the linen absolutely without labour. Most intelligent housewives will agree that no portion of their work is accomphshed without a certain amount of labour, this being so in the case of the inevitable washing day in a larger degree even than with other household duties. On the other hand, it is possible to accomplish a heavy day's washing with comparative ease, if a good system is worked out and adhered to.

To Soften Water.

Putting aside the question of fancy preparations for washing purposes, it is best to commence with the softening of water. Hard water will not cleanse the dirt from linen ; therefore, as in many districts the water is extremely hard, some substance has to be added to it to eliminate this hardness. Alkali in the form of ordinary washing soda is the cheapest and most easily obtained, and quite a small quantity dissolved in the water to be used has the desired effect. It must be distinctly understood that soda in any shape or form must not be added to the water for flannels or coloured articles. The writer was informed that a certain woman " always put a little soda into the water for flannels and coloured things." The danger to the fabric of so doing was suggested, and the reply was ; " Oh, but I always use refined soda " — but as refined soda has usually three times the strength of the ordinary washing soda, the detriment to the goods would necessarily be threefold.

If the water is extremely hard, adding a little ammonia has a beneficial effect on blankets and white woollens, but coloured garments should be kept away from this, many colours " running " if coming into contact with it. For instance, if blankets are bordered with fairly bright colours, too strong a solution of anunonia will often cause them to " bleed " into the white part, and entirely spoil their appearance when finished.

If any small, delicate, coloured articles are to be washed, it is quite a good plan to boil up a sufficient quantity of water to use, and allow it to cool down to the required temperature, when it will be found to require less soap. A lather is much more readily obtained by this means than when water is merely warmed up to the required heat. The advantages gained are twofold : economj' of soap on the one hand, and the preservation of the colour due to the restricted use of soap on the other.

Soaps.

To take next the question of soaps. A good ordinary yellow, or even mottled soap, will produce a good result if properly used. All soaps are best if procured some time before being required for use, the bars being cut up into pieces of convenient size and allowed to dry out. In this way the moisture contained in the soap is absorbed by the air, leaving the fatty acids which are required for saponification.

Experience will soon prove that there are various qualities of soap which are entirely unsuitable for washing linen, and also have a roughening effect on the hands. It is wise, when buying soap, to see that it does not appear too moist. It should look firm ; an apparently hard soap is of more value than one which can be easily marked by pressure with the fingers.

It is advisable to keep in stock a quantity of boiled soap, or soap jellv, as many people prefer to call it.

For convenience, it is best to make this stock fairly strong, sav, about 2 lb. of soap to half a small pailful of water. Cut the soap into small pieces, add to the water, and boil until they are dissolved. A little of this, when melted, added to the water for washing flannels, " coloureds," etc., will greatly facilitate the washing, and will prevent the need of using raw soap.

Blue.

It is well to realise the object for which the use of blue is intended. Blue should not be used as a dye to cover up defects in washing and rinsing, but as an agent to assist the latter process, and to eliminate the effects of hard, clear water on white cotton goods, namely, the yellowish tint we all wish to avoid. It is possible to procure " blues " in both the solid and the liquid states. For private use the former is chiefly in demand, being convenient to use and most economical. (For the use of the above, see pages 38-9.)

Gum Arabic.

A pennyworth of this can be obtained at chemists' or stores, and, used sparingly, will serve to stiffen articles not requiring much ironing {e.g., lace). It has a tendency, however, to brown under the iron and may even cause the fabric to crack.

Glycerine.

This is used by some people to assist in the finishing of laces, but great care has to be taken that it is not used in too large quantities and that an undue amount of moisture is not left in them before pressing ; otherwise the edges and raised patterns take on a brownish tinge. It is best to add a teaspoonful to a quart of the stiffening solution as given on page 153.

Glycerine will be found extremely useful should a silk or flannel garment have become slightly scorched. In this case it must be used immediately the scorch occurs, and be applied by using a clean, moist damper [cj. p. 24), the surface of which has been dipped into a httle glycerine.

Acids ; their Use.

Various acids are used for the removal of stains ; but in the ordinary private house it is most necessary to exercise caution. They should always be kept in jars distinctly labelled, should be stored out of the reach of inexperienced persons, and used only by those who have sufficient knowledge to safeguard against accidents both themselves and the articles to be treated.

To Remove Ink Stains and Iron Rust.

These are stains of almost everyday occurrence. As a rule, clear water will not absorb ink stains. If a very small portion of oxalic acid is dissolved in boiling water, and the stained part of the article is immersed in this boiling solution, the ink will speedily be removed. Iron rust can be removed in a similar manner, whether caused by medicines, or by hooks on garments, etc.

If the article to be freed from either of these stains is coloured or composed of silk, the temperature of the solution must be much lower, or damage will be caused. In this case, dissolve the acid, and allow the mixture to stand for a few minutes, or until the tip of the finger can be borne in it, when it will be perfectly safe to use.

For iron rust on woollen garments, equal parts of citric acid and cream of tartar are very effective. This can be used as follows : moisten the spot with warm water, rub the powder well in, and when the stain is removed, rinse well. In obstinate cases, dissolve a little of the mixture in fairly warm water, and allow the stained part to soak until the rust is removed.

If possible, these stains should be removed before the articles are washed, but if occasion arises and thev cannot be re-washed, the stained area must be well rinsed before drying or ironing. For white cotton goods, a little soda should be added to the first rinse to neutralise the acid, and for flannel and coloured articles the first rinse should contain a little soap. After the removal of the stains, the parts treated must not be rubbed vigorously ; the water should be allowed to flow through the material.

To Remove Stains on Table Linen.

It is very seldom that all stains can be removed from table linen with the usual wash and boil : on the other hand, a large amount of the ordinary food stains will disappear if a little extra soap is rubbed on these places and a certain amount of careful friction used, so that too much is not left to be eradicated in the boiling.

The popular idea is, that chloride of lime is a most dangerous substance to use ; properly speaking, it is not in itself so dangerous, though wrong methods of using it may bring disastrous results. In making up a small quantity of solution, take about two tablespoonfuls of the powder, add just a small piece of washing soda, and pour about 1 pint of boiling water slowly on this, stirring carefully, so that all the lumps are dissolved. The soda helps to carry the lime away, and assists in making the solution clearer, and more fit for use.

The mixture must stand to cool, and needs straining before being bottled for use. Whatever of the powder remains in the solution must not be shaken up when the solution is being used, as it is these small particles that cause the damage to linen.

When an article is so stained with tea, fruit, wine or medicine that the marks will not move with ordinary washing, a good plan is to look over the article, find all the spots there may be, dip the fingers into the bleach, and dab each stain separately before putting the article into the copper to boil. If the stain is very large, put about a tablespoonful of the bleaching liquid into a small bowl of water, immerse the stained part in this, and allow it to remain for a few minutes.

i'Vlthough this bleaching liquid is a useful and valuable agent, great care must be taken that it does not come into contact with any flannel or coloured garments. When it has been used it must be poured away immediately, so that there may be nohkelihood of its being upset, or mistaken for a harmless hquid.

Acetic Acid.

This is a valuable medium for the setting and restoring of delicate colours. On the other hand, it must not be supposed that, if carelessness has occurred in the washing of a coloured garment, this acid is going to make all right again. It will be found extremely useful if it is mixed with the rinsing water for light coloured silks, especially hght blues, mauve, light greens, and so on. If the articles are of fairly dark colours, vinegar will be found cheaper and quite as useful. In both instances, it is easy to ascertain when sufficient is put into the quantity of water used, owing to the pungent odour. It is necessary for the water to smell fairly strongly of the acids.