HOW TO MAKE WASHING EASY
By Mrs. Geo. A. Irwin
I feel impressed to tell you the trial that I am having, and it may be that you can give me some advice that will help me. My family consists of a husband and two children, the youngest a baby boy eight months old. The last few months have been hard for me; for I did not get strong after baby came. Then, when he was only a few months old, we moved to the country, and could get no help. I never was used to doing my own washing; but since coming here, I have been obliged to, and as a consequence it is wash-day about three days in the week; and when I am through, I am so tired that I get nothing else done; and on account of the lack of order, there is not the peace and harmony there should be in our home. This may seem like a small matter to you, but it means a great deal to me. I am doing the best I can to have things different. I have always liked to wash, and I believe I can tell you how you can get your washing done with a great deal more ease, and with less tax upon your strength. Put your white clothes to soak at night. Do not soak the colored ones. If you do not have warm water, cold water will do just as well. If the clothes are much soiled, soap them when you put them to soak. In the morning put on your boiler, with plenty of soap chipped up in it; then wring out your clothes lightly, and put the cleaner ones, such as table and bed linen, etc., into the boiler. Do not fill it too full; stir thoroughly while scalding for twenty minutes or half an hour, then take out in a tub and pour over them two pails of cold water. You can rub these clothes clean with very little strength, and then they are ready to go into the rinse water. The next boiler full will contain your underwear, etc., and your last boiler your hand towels and such things. You will find that you will need to do but little rubbing. Pardon me for telling you so particularly how to do your washing, but you say that you have not been used to doing it; and with your weak back and little children I know it must be hard for you to get along, as well as disagreeable to have the washing around three days in the week. As a rule, men dislike wash-day very much; and the quicker we can get the washing out of the way, the better. I used to do my washing in three hours, but it takes me a little longer now, because I can not rush as I used to when younger. I would advise you to use plenty of soap. Soap is cheaper than elbow grease. And I would also suggest that you do not put off your washing. Get it done the first of the week. Plan to do it on a certain day each week, and let nothing interfere; for if you do, your washing will be larger, and things will drag. Don't be afraid to ask your husband to help you lift the water and empty the tubs. I don't mean that you should keep him from his regular work to help you, but if he should happen in, just ask him to give you a lift. If there is a man around, I always ask him to help me when I need it. And I would also advise you, my sister, before beginning your washing to ask the Lord to help you. I once knew a sister who had immense washings, and in the morning worship her husband prayed that the Lord would help his wife with the washing that day. This was the first time I had ever heard any one pray that way, and it impressed me. I believe that it is pleasing to the Lord for us to ask Him to help us in our housework. Often when I have a heavy day's work before me, I ask the Lord to teach me how to take the fewest steps and to plan my work in the best way, and He surely answers my prayer. Do not for a moment think that I regard this matter as a small thing. I know that wash-day looks like a big thing to most women. But I am sure that if you follow this plan, you will get along better. But do not feel discouraged if you do not get the washing out before dinner the first time, because this, like everything else, takes practice to make perfect. Mrs. Geo. A. IRWIN.