CARE OF MEN'S CLOTHING.
By A. M. H.
THE woman who is truly economical seeks, not only to make a garment last longer, but to preserve its credible appearance as well, and often a little work will make it look like new. There is no cleaning fluid that I have ever had any experience with that equals gasoline as a clothes' cleaner, but it is very explosive, and care should be taken not to use it near a fire or light. The safest way is to use it in the open air. To avoid the unsightly circle that often appears when a grease spot has been removed, the cloth should be rubbed lengthwise and with the weave, and the rubbing should be continued until the cloth is perfectly dry. Honey, molasses, or any sticky substance, may be removed by rubbing with slightly diluted alcohol. A coat, vest, or pair of pants that are not much soiled, will come out of a good gasoline bath looking almost like new. First, brush and shake the garment until it seems perfectly free of dust; then remove the spots, and put the garment in the washbowl or a large bucket, and pour about a gallon of gasoline over it, or enough to saturate it thoroughly; then cover the bowl to keep the fluid from evaporating, and leave it for two hours. Wring the garment, and hang it over the line, and be careful to pull and stretch it into perfect shape, and it will need no ironing. The liquid shoe polish is good for concealing discoloration on black, and black straw hats can be freshened by giving them one or two coats of the liquid polish. A black felt hat may be cleaned by sponging with the lather of soap tree bark, and the light shades of felt may be cleaned by rubbing with dry corn meal. Corn meal, dampened with warm water, is excellent for cleaning a white straw hat. There is nothing better than oxalic acid for cleaning white straw hats that have become much soiled, and five cents worth will clean two or three hats. Dissolve in warm water, and let it stand an hour or two before using; then scrub the hat with a small brush or a soft cloth dipped in the oxalic solution. Wash with clean water, put the hat into shape, and let it dry in the shade. A rusty black alpaca coat, a vest, and a pair of pants were first washed in warm suds, and then recolored a jet black by dipping them in black diamond dye for wool, and they looked as nice as new garments, after they were carefully pressed. A straw hat may be freshened by using some of the same dye. It is prepared by dissolving some dye of the desired color in a little alcohol, and is applied to the hat with a soft brush. When dry, the hat must be given a coat of thin varnish. Boys' hats, cleaned in this manner, and treated to a new lining and band of ribbon, will be given a new lease of life; and, if the straw is good, it is well worth the trouble, as it will save the dollar or more that such hats cost. A. M. H.