and linens, require a milder treatment;
any application of soda will discharge the colour, and soaking all
night, even in pure water, deteriorates the more delicate tints. When
ready for washing, if not too dirty, they should be put into cold water
and washed very speedily, using the common yellow soap, which should be
rinsed off immediately. One article should be washed at a time, and
rinsed out immediately before any others are wetted. When washed
thoroughly, they should be rinsed in succession in soft water, in which
common salt has been dissolved, in the proportion of a handful to three
or four gallons, and afterwards wrung gently, as soon as rinsed, with as
little twisting as possible, and then hung out to dry. Delicate-coloured
articles should not be exposed to the sun, but dried in the shade, using
clean lines and wooden pegs.

2381. Woollen articles are liable to shrink, unless the flannel has been
well shrunk before making up. This liability is increased where very hot
water is used: cold water would thus be the best to wash woollens in;
but, as this would not remove the dirt, lukewarm water, about 85 deg., and
yellow soap, are recommended. When thoroughly washed in this, they
require a good deal of rinsing in cold water, to remove the soap.

2382. Greasy cloths, which have soaked all night in the liquid
described, should be now washed out with soap-and-water as hot as the
hands can bear, first in one water, and rinsed out in a second; and
afterwards boiled for two hours in water in which a little soda is
dissolved. When taken out, they should be rinsed in cold water, and laid
out or hung up to dry.

2383. Silk handkerchiefs require to be washed alone. When they contain
snuff, they should be soaked by themselves in lukewarm water two or
three hours; they should be rinsed out and put to soak with the others
in cold water for an hour or two; then washed in lukewarm water, being
soaped as they are washed. If this does not remove all stains, they
should be washed a second time in similar water, and, when finished,
rinsed in soft water in which a handful of common salt has been
dissolved. In washing stuff or woollen dresses, the band at the waist
and the lining at the bottom should be removed, and wherever it is
gathered into folds; and, in furniture, the hems and gatherings. A black
silk dress, if very dirty, must be washed; but, if only soiled, soaking
for four-and-twenty hours will do; if old and rusty, a pint