Next time, when you are reaching for that bottle of Clorox bleach to brighten up your whites.... maybe you should give it a little nuzzle of affection....or, dare I say a kiss!The above engraving and instructions for Bleaching linen were written by John Wily, 1765....in 13 easy steps:
1. Soak linen 36 to 40 hours in warm water, rinse and dry.
2. Soak in lye and cow dung 48 hours.
3. Stretch cloth over the grass in a bleach~yard.
4. Wash off the cow dung.
5. Beat cloth with bat staffs 2 to 3 hours.
6. Place cloth into boiling lye; soak 24 hours.
7. Wash cloth; stretch it over the bleach~green 24 hours.
8. Beat with bat staffs.
9. Repeat the last three steps for 8 to 10 days.
10. Place cloth in buttermilk for 1 or 2 nights.
11. Wash and beat the cloth again, then stretch it over the bleach~green.
12. Sour it again with buttermilk.
13. Repeat the process for another week, until the cloth is white enough.
I would recommend anyone try this at home to see how they make of it... Have fun
and yes, dung=POO.
Too much for me Rachael! I do admit though to drying my whites on the grass on a nice warm, sunny day. Looks and smells great!
ReplyDeleteAh, the good old days.
ReplyDeleteZwee!!!!!!!
Oh Rachael,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my beautiful new box by you!!! It is so gorgeous. I'm glad I visited your Etsy store and got the last one!
I also love your beautiful little, old fashioned note replete with perfect handwriting and the little dab of sealing wax, and the candle too!!!
Thank you!
Christine ~ Zwee!!!!!!!!!
Ah, clorox. Some days I dream of living in the past...but then again???
ReplyDeleteHoly cow dung!!!!! Now I'm off to kiss my clorox bottle.
ReplyDeleteCarole
I have a feeling many of us are old souls...why are we so drawn to these earlier times? Gosh, they seem so charming. If I had a time machine to go back...I'd make sure I had access to the time machine every time I had to go to the bathroom, wash my clothes, hide my deodorant and sanitary napkins in, and conveniently disappear to each time a chore needed to be done!
ReplyDeleteI hate laundry. I realize we are spoiled, with modern machinery and products, that we don't have to use a washboard, or pot of boiling water, making our own soap, wringing, hanging, starching and pressing....
But I never gave a thought to the wondrous power of bleach. Until now. Bleach is my friend...mi amor!
I'll never gripe about the smell of chlorine again.
It's a heck of a lot more refreshing than dung, that's for sure!