Laundry the old fashioned way has three parts, this is part three and to see the first part go to Laundry the old fashioned way part one.
Ironing the Old Fashioned Way part three.... First sprinkling the clothes.
Place a towel on the counter, table or ironing board and sprinkle the towel until it is damp.
We are now sprinkling items that have been previously starched and dried items. We must get them damp for ironing.
Sprinkle and fold, sprinkle and fold then roll...
When I was a child my mother taught me to sprinkle and roll the clothes to be ironed at a very young age. We used small coke bottle with the sprinkler on top.
Place it to the side or in a pan...
And do each item....
We are going to let them sit a bit to let the moisture go through all the items. This is re activating the starch. In the past we sprinkled most all the clothes that were to be ironed, starched and unstarched. Many of the irons did not have steam.
Place them back in the damp towel....
And let them sit so they don't dry out. I had more ironing to do so I started that ironing first while these sat.
If we wanted to go way back in time this is one of the options but we would need a wood or coal burning stove and two of these so on can sit and get hot the other used and then rotate them back and forth. I will be using an electric iron.
I tried to press the button on the camera with my left hand but could not so I cannot get a photo of ironing. We will move on.
After starching, drying and dampening the starched items it is time to Iron the dampened garment as normal. If a very stiff collar is needed a little extra starch can be rubbed in or when making the starch before diluting the collar can be dipped in the heavy starch.
You can also starch just part of an item such as this pillow case...
I would suggest a mild starch for handkerchiefs because medium and heavy would be too stiff. To make mild starch add more cold water to the mixture.
Doing laundry the old fashioned way is very hard work but in a way it connects us to those that came before us. Our generations before us were very caring with their clothing and gave each item much care. Many people have become careless with the things they do and complain of laundry and housework but truly it can be enjoyable if we find that place in our mind to make it pleasant.
If we turn off the televisions and electronics and get through the withdrawal there can come a more peaceful time where chores will not be as draining. I enjoy going around my house with a pan of good soap and water and washing things the old way, rinsing and buffing dry.
Doing laundry the old way smells clean and there is nothing better than to get into bed at night to freshly washed sheets that have been hung dry on an outside line.
I hope these three articles about doing laundry the old fashioned way is helpful to you in some way. Grandma Donna
