(2) Kinds: (_a_) _Alkalies._--These must be used in excess of the amount needed for softening the water. (_b_) _Harmless solvents, such as turpentine, paraffin, coal-oil, gasolene._--The clothing must be well rinsed to get rid of any odour. (_c_) _Washing powders._--These are prepared mixtures of soap and some other solvent of greasy matter. 5. Blueing: (1) Use.--To make clothes which have a yellow tinge appear whiter in colour. (2) Kinds.--There are several kinds on the market, but the names of these will be of no value to the class. NOTE.--Sufficient blueing should be used to make the blueing water a pale sky-blue colour when a little of it is lifted in the hand. 6. Starch: (1) Use: (_a_) To stiffen fabrics and thus improve their appearance. (_b_) To give fabrics a glazed surface, so that they will shed dust and other impurities. (2) Kinds.--(_a_) Cold starch, (_b_) boiled starch. Raw starch does not give as durable a finish as cooked starch, but it does give greater stiffness. A fabric will take up more starch in the raw form, and the heat of the iron cooks the starch, thus producing the stiffness. The "body", or stiffness, produced by cooked starch is usually preferable, though on account of its preparation, it is not so convenient to use. (3) Recipes for starch-- (_a_) Cold Starch 2 tbsp. laundry starch 1/2 tsp. borax 2 cups cold water. Dissolve the borax in a little boiling water. Add the cold water gradually to the starch and mix thoroughly. Add the dissolved borax and stir well before using. (_b_) Boiled Starch 2 tbsp. starch 4 tbsp. cold water 1/2 tsp. lard, butter, or paraffin 1 qt. boiling water. Mix the starch with the cold water until free from lumps. Add the lard, then gradually stir in the boiling water, and keep stirring until thickened. Cook fifteen minutes and use hot. NOTE.--Borax in starch gives greater gloss and increases the stiffness. It also gives more lasting stiffness. Lard, butter, or wax is used to give a smoother finish and to prevent the starch from sticking to the iron. LESSON II PREPARATION FOR WASHING WHITE LINEN OR COTTON CLOTHES 1. Sort the clothes: (1) Table linen and clean towels (2) Bed and body linen (3) Handkerchiefs (4) Soiled towels and cloths. 2. Mend the clothes. 3. Remove stains. 4. Look after necessary materials. PROCESS OF WASHING WHITE LINEN OR COTTON CLOTHES