Whether to boil clothes or not, depends largely upon the purity of the materials used and the care exercised.  Many feel that the additional disinfection which boiling insures, is an element of cleanness not to be disregarded, while others insist that boiling yellows the clothes.  This yellowness may be caused by impure material in the soap, the deposit of iron from the water or the boiler; the imperfect washing of the clothes, that is, the organic matter is not thoroughly removed.  The safer process is to put the clothes into cold water, with little or no soap, let the temperature rise gradually to boiling point and remain there for a few minutes.  Soap is more readily dissolved by hot than by cold water, hence the boiling should help in the complete removal of the soap, and should precede the rinsing.  One tablespoonful of borax to every gallon of water added to each boilerful, serves as a bleacher and disinfectant.  Scalding or pouring boiling water over the clothes is not so effectual for their disinfection as boiling, because the temperature is so quickly lowered.

The main points in laundry cleansing seem to be:  (1) The removal of all stains; (2) Soft water and a good quality of soap; (3) The use of alkalies in solution only; (4) Not too hot nor too much water, while the soap is acting on the dirt; (5) Thorough rinsing, that all alkali may be removed; (6) Long exposure to sunlight, the best bleacher and disinfectant.

WASHING OF WOOLLENS.

All wool goods require the greatest care in washing.  The different waters used should be of the same temperature, and never too hot to be borne comfortably by the hands.  Soap should always be used in the form of a solution.  No soap should be rubbed on the fabric, and only a good white soap, free from resin, or a soft potash soap is allowable.  Make each water slightly soapy, and leave a very little in the fabric at the last rinsing, in order to furnish a dressing as nearly like the original as possible.  Ammonia or borax is sometimes used in preference to soap.  For pure white flannel borax is the most satisfactory, on account of its bleaching quality.  Only enough of any alkali should be used to make the water very soft.

Wool fibres collect much dust, and should therefore be thoroughly brushed or shaken before the fabric is put into the water.  Woollen fabrics should be cleansed by squeezing, and not by rubbing.  Wool should not be wrung by hand.  Either run the fabric smoothly through a wringer or squeeze the water out, so that the fibres may not become twisted.  Woollen articles may be dried more quickly by rolling the article tightly in a thick, dry towel or sheet, and squeezing the whole till all moisture is absorbed.  Shake the article thoroughly before placing to dry.  Woollen goods should not be allowed to freeze, for the teeth become knotted and hard.

COLORED COTTONS.