Reference

To Clean Silks Or Ribbons

p. 549 · The White House Cook Book
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Half a pint of gin, half a pound of honey, half a pound of soft soap,

one-eighth of a pint of water.

Mix the above ingredients together; then lay each breadth of silk upon

a clean kitchen table or dresser, and scrub it well on the soiled side

with the mixture. Have ready three vessels of cold water; take each

piece of silk at two corners, and dip it up and down in each vessel,

but do not wring it; and take care that each breadth has one vessel of

quite clean water for the last dip. Hang it up dripping for a minute

or two, then dab in a cloth, and iron it quickly with a very hot iron.

Where the lace or silk is very much soiled, it is best to pass them

through a warm liquor of bullock's gall and water; rinse in cold

water; then take a small piece of glue, pour boiling water on it, and

pass the veil through it, clap it, and frame to dry. Instead of

framing, it may be fastened with drawing-pins closely fixed upon a

very clean paste, or drawing-board.

Original source page for To Clean Silks Or Ribbons
p. 549