The Chemawa American, June 01, 1914, COMMENCEMENT NUMBER, Page 6, Image 6

4
THE
CHEM AW A
AM ERICAN
LAUNDERING
L A V I N A C H R IS T IN A W IL B U R , K lickitat Tribe; Oregon
FEW years ago housework, or housekeeping, was con­
sidered a menial task, fitted only for those who
could not qualify for what was then considered more
dignified work, hence the old saying: “ A man’s
work is from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is
never done.” Schools have changed this idea; the
trades are placed on an equal basis with the profes­
sions; work that was once considered degrading now holds a dignified
place in schools and colleges, is exalted even into a profession. A
noble profession, too, is the housekeeper’s, for around it center all the
affections and loves of the home. Kate Field says: “ The world would
go on just the same if there were not a woman in the professions. It
would come to a speedy ruin if there were not a woman in the homes.”
Laundering is one of the most important duties of the household
work and should be so considered. It should be done with great care
on account of its importance. If close attention is given to the care of
clothing in laundering it will last much longer. The equipment for
laundry work in the home may be expensive or moderate in price, de­
pending on one’s income. The result will be the same, but the better
the equipment the more contentment, and more quickly will the work
be done. The utensils necessary are a tub, board, line, boiler, basket,
clothes-pins, iron and ironing board.
If we have no stationary tubs the common galvanized tubs may be
used. The line should be a single, strong wire. Electric irons are
used in most well-equipped laundries; they are more satisfactory than
any other and are more convenient to keep clean. In the ordinary
home, however, electricity cannot be used. Here the ordinary iron
must be used. The ironing board should be strong and the distance
from the floor suitable to the ironer. Have the board well padded with
felt or pieces of old blanket, well tacked down, then smoothly covered
with a clean white cloth.
The materials needed for washing arew’ater, soap, bluing, and starch.
An abundance of clear, soft water is of great help in laundry work,
but if the water is hard it may be softened by adding a little salsoda.
The usual brown laundry soap will do for plain washing, but white
soap is better for woolens and colored clothes. A little bluing is neces­
sary; care should be taken, however, in order not to get the clothes too
blue or leave blue streaks in them. The best bleachers are pure air
and sunshine; these, with careful washing, will usually be found all