IRONS AND HOLDERS

If the ordinary flatirons are preferred, they may be had at 5 cents a
pound. They require, of course, the use of a good, stout holder,
asbestos covered with ticking affording the best protection to the
hand. Slip cases are nice for use of this kind, as they can be taken
off and washed. Pad the ironing board with Canton flannel or a coarse
blanket, then draw tightly over it a white cotton cloth and fasten on
the under side. The padding must be absolutely smooth and without a
wrinkle. And there must be a piece of cheesecloth with which to wipe
possible dust from the line, a scrubbing brush for the cleaning-up
process which closes the washing drama, and the various preparations
used to remove stains and assist in the cleansing of the linen and
clothing--borax, starch, bluing, ammonia, oxalic acid, soda, kerosene,
turpentine, etc.



PREPARING THE "WASH"

With all the "properties" in readiness, the fire burning well, and
plenty of hot water to draw upon, the curtain rises on the laundress
sorting the flannels, table linen, fine underwear, towels, and bed
linen, colored clothes and stockings into separate piles, each to be
disposed of in its turn, from fine articles down through to coarse,
laying aside any which have stains. These stains she removes in a
variety of ways, according to their nature, but removed they must be
before going into the tub, where, in most instances, the hot suds will
render them ineradicable, although it has the reverse effect on dirt.
It is a wise plan to mark, with a black thread before putting in the