Early today I sent the following plea to ten ladies of my acquaintance and
thought you might be interested to read this – and the responses
I have just spent a happy hour
(although it felt like a day!) at the ironing board. First there were two table
cloths used on my stall at the Christmas Market last Saturday. Difficult,
yes. But I coped. I have to admit that the large bed sheet that I also used has
been washed but not ironed. I have folded it with care and promise that it
will be ironed when I use it next - which I hope will be never!
But it is the handkerchiefs where I need your help. The two tea towels were no
problem. I ironed 15 white handkerchiefs and six coloured ones. I used the
best washing sachets money can buy together with Glowhite and the Yellow Stuff
which make them smell like a spring meadow or a lavender bush or such
like. Also each and every one was sprayed with the very best stain remover on
both sides of the stains.
No problem with the coloured ones. But every one of the 15 white fellows has
been placed in the drawer reserved to handkerchiefs for use in the garden
or at night when no one can see them except me and Socks. For they all - yes,
all 15 - have some sort of stain, however small, but stain nonetheless. No
way can I take a white handkerchief with even the smallest stain out through
the front door - for folk might think that standards are slipping and
Heather would be called upon to alert the care home!
So here are the questions to be answered, please ladies:
(1) Why is it that white handkerchiefs have stains but not coloured ones?
(2) Should I dispense with the white ones and only have coloureds?
(3) If (2) above, please recommend a good supplier for quality coloured
handkerchiefs - for I do not want any of your old rubbish ones thank you
very much!
Three folk replied and I have responded
thus:
Many thanks to all those who replied. I
took the advice, purchased Fairy Non Bio and Stain Remover White Powder in
Wilko. On return home I removed all the nicely ironed but stained white
handkerchiefs from the drawer, boiled them in a saucepan for
10 minutes - two lots. Fortunately, I stood by the stove as the first
lot boiled and was just in time to stop the boiling over process! Less
water for the second set. Then into the washing machine! I have
just removed them. They look perfect! They are now drying
and will be ironed in the morning for there are limits!
I will append some of the advice I
have been given - for your amusement, but no names! And thanks again
Respondent One: Coloured gentlemen’s handkerchiefs
are for those who work manually, so should be used only in the garden, etc.
A gentleman such as yourself should
always use the white variety when going about your daily business as is fitting
for your status. To remove stains leave in very hot water for a couple of hours
with two large scoops of Vanish - the white variety - followed by a hot wash
Good luck!
Respondent Two: Suggest you go for
option (2) coloured handkerchiefs, preferably patterned ones. Can I give you
some inside information? A senior partner in an international firm of
solicitors, who we both know, uses patterned coloured handkerchiefs, so if they
are good enough for the legal profession I am sure they are fine for you!
I use tissues!
Respondent Three: I have heard of
your plight with stained white handkerchiefs. I would advise the method I use
for mine (and church linen). I boil all in a saucepan of water with a
tablespoonful of detergent for 10 minutes. This will remove all stains I
assure you. I always use Fairy Non Bio powder with a little Vanish added, but
any laundry detergent would do. In the old days my grandmother would grate what
was left of the old bar of lifeboy soap and add a little washing soda to the
water. All the stains come out of my handkerchiefs and all red wine, etc., from
the church whites. I then drip dry them on the line.
