Care of Family Clothing and Household Linen – JSS2 Home Economics Lesson Note (First Term)

Household linen is the collective name for the textile articles used in the home, such as curtains, bed linen, table linen, bathroom linen and kitchen linen. These articles are expensive, so they need good care. Family clothing is cared for by mending it when it is worn, storing it properly, and looking after accessories such as shoes and jewellery.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• name the types of household linen and state their uses;
• list the factors that influence the selection of household linen;
• describe darning and patching as methods of repairing clothes;
• state guidelines for storing clothes in a wardrobe, boxes, suitcases, bags, drawers and shelves;
• state how to care for shoes and jewellery;
• state the procedures for maintaining household linen.

What are the types of household linen and their uses?

Household linen is a term used collectively to include a variety of textile articles used in the home. A good supply of household linen is a very necessary item in the home. The articles are expensive and require good care.

Curtains and draperies

These are fabrics or materials used for decorating doors and windows. Curtains can be light or heavy, opaque or transparent.

Uses of curtains and draperies

• They shade the room from excessive light and wind.
• They beautify the room by adding colour to it.
• They provide privacy for the family.
• They establish the character and mood of a room.

Bed linen

Bed linen includes all the different types of fabrics and materials used to make the bed. They are:

• Mattress covers, used to cover the mattress to protect it from dust and dirt.
• Bed sheets, used for making the bed.
• Pillowcases, used for covering the pillows.
• Bedspreads, used as a spread over a made bed and as a covering for the person lying on the bed.
• Blankets, used as a covering for warmth on cold nights.

Table linen

Table linen refers to all cloths and mats used on the table. They include:

• Tablecloths, used for covering the table.
• Placemats, used on the table for setting the cover. The cover is the place set for one person on the dining table.
• Table napkins, used during meals to protect your dress and for wiping the mouth and hands.
• Tea cloths, used for wiping or cleaning the table.

Bathroom linen

Bathroom linen is made up of:

• Bath towels, used for wiping the body dry after a bath.
• Face towels, which are smaller than bath towels and are used for cleaning the face.

Kitchen linen

• Hand towels, used for wiping and drying hands.
• Oven gloves or cloths, which are often padded and used for taking hot pans and dishes out of the oven or off the top of the cooker.
• Dish cloths, which are non-fluffy cloths used for wiping off spills on kitchen surfaces.
• Glass cloths, used for blotting off water or moisture from vegetables and fruits.
• Muslin, a light, loosely woven fabric used for straining during food preparation, for example in preparing starch, coconut milk or soya milk.
• Tea towels, used for blotting off water or moisture from vegetables and fruits and for wiping glassware, crockery and cutlery.

What factors influence the selection of household linen?

Consider the following points when selecting household linen:

1. What the linen is to be used for
2. The type of fabric
3. The durability of the fabric
4. The size of the bed and pillows, when choosing bed sheets, mattress covers and similar items
5. All types of towels should be soft and absorbent
6. Household linen should be colour-fast
7. The needs of the family
8. The size of the family
9. The money available

How are clothes repaired?

Garment repair involves two methods: darning and patching.

What is darning?

Darning is a method of repairing or mending thin pieces and small holes in garments. The process involves weaving strong thread into the material to replace or strengthen worn threads. Darning can be done by machine or by hand.

Steps to follow when darning

1. Choose a thread that matches the fabric in colour, thickness and texture.
2. Work the darn on the wrong side of the fabric.
3. Use a fine darning needle.
4. Draw the edges of the tear together with herringbone stitch.
5. Darn along the selvedge first.
6. Leave loops at the ends of every other row to allow for shrinkage.
7. Sew around the hole and over the thin areas.

Types of darning

• Darning a hole or tear
• Stocking darns
• Hedge tear darn

What is patching?

Patching is a method of replacing worn areas of fabric with strong pieces of material. A patch looks better when the material has the same colour, design and texture as the garment, and the thread matches in colour. The patch can be cut into squares, rectangles or triangles. Patchwork can be used on all soft furnishings.

The patch should be large enough to cover the hole. Selvedge threads should be matched with selvedge threads, and weft with weft.

Types of patching

• Calico patch
• Print patch
• Woven patch

How is family clothing stored?

Family clothing can be stored in the following places:

1. A wardrobe or closet
2. A box, suitcase or bag
3. A chest of drawers or shelves

Wardrobe or closet

Storing clothes in the wardrobe, with good quality plastic hangers, is the best method of storing clothes. Some wardrobe units have a section for hanging clothes, a section with shelves for folded clothes, a bottom part for shoes, and a top with fitted doors for storing suitcases and boxes. Wardrobes prevent clothes from creasing and help them to keep their original shape.

Guidelines for storing clothes in a wardrobe or closet

1. Clean the wardrobe regularly and keep it away from ants, cockroaches and household pests.
2. Put camphor balls in the wardrobe to keep away cockroaches and ants.
3. Use good quality hangers to hang clothes. Do not use metal or iron hangers.
4. Do not overcrowd the wardrobe with clothes.
5. Hang similar items together in one place for easy identification.
6. Keep clothes in the wardrobe according to fabric type. For example, woollen materials can be folded and kept on the shelves or in drawers. Thick fabric clothes, such as skirts and trousers, can be hung from the waistband. Suits can be hung to prevent them from being rumpled.
7. Keep the wardrobe away from dust, and protect the clothes from dust and dirt by covering them with white waterproof bags.
8. Air and brush the clothes regularly to prevent mould and dust.
9. Iron the clothes before storing them in the wardrobe.

Boxes, suitcases and bags

Good quality boxes, suitcases and bags can be used to store clothes. Do not choose boxes or bags made from metal or from easy-to-peel fabrics, or they will leave permanent marks or stains on the clothes.

Guidelines for storing clothes in boxes, suitcases and bags

1. Store only clean clothes.
2. Iron the clothes properly before storing them in the box.
3. Fold properly any clothes that are not ironed before storing them in the bag or suitcase.
4. Keep the box, bag or suitcase clean.
5. Close the bag or suitcase properly to keep out dust.
6. Put some camphor balls in the box, suitcase or bag to keep away insects.

Drawers or shelves

Drawers and shelves made of suitable wood and highly finished can be used to store clothes.

Guidelines for storing clothes in drawers or shelves

1. Store only clean clothes.
2. Iron the clothes before storing.
3. Fold and arrange the clothes properly inside drawers and shelves.
4. Arrange the clothes according to their use for easy location.
5. Put some camphor balls inside the drawers and shelves to keep away insects.

What are accessories and how are they cared for?

Accessories are items worn by everyone, apart from clothes, to complete one’s dressing. Examples are shoes, handbags, jewellery, hats, make-up and scarves.

Shoes

Shoes are articles we put on our feet to protect them from dirt.

Care of shoes

1. Clean your shoes immediately after each use.
2. Repair your shoes as soon as they get cut.
3. Stuff your shoes with clean old newspaper or shoe trees to keep them in shape.
4. Arrange them on a shoe rack or shelf.

Jewellery

Jewellery includes earrings, necklaces, rings, brooches and bangles that we put on.

Care of jewellery

1. Get a small suitable box or container with a cover, lined with soft cloth or wool, for storing jewellery.
2. Arrange the jewellery properly in the box or container.
3. Keep the box closed always to avoid dust and rusting.
4. Keep jewellery away from liquids, for example water and kerosene.
5. Clean jewellery according to type, for example gold or silver, when it is dirty.

How is household linen maintained?

Follow these general procedures for maintaining household linen:

1. Keep dirty or soiled linen, such as bed sheets, in a covered basket or laundry bag until it is laundered.
2. Wash some linen, such as napkins and floor cloths, immediately after each use.
3. Take care to remove all stains during the washing process.
4. Iron and air washed linen properly.
5. Fold the aired linen properly.
6. Store heavy linen, such as bed sheets, on dry, airy shelves in a cupboard. The storage cupboard should be strong.
7. Small, light articles, such as tea cloths, napkins and placemats, may be kept in drawers.
8. Cover stored linen with muslin or another suitable material to prevent dust from settling on it.
9. Keep similar articles, for example sheets, pillowcases and towels, together.
10. Mend linen as soon as a tear is noticed. Linen should not be stored in a frayed or torn condition.
11. Keep linen in good repair for as long as possible.

Evaluation

1. Mention 5 factors to consider when choosing household linen.
2. State 5 kitchen linens and their uses.
3. Mention the types of clothing repair.
4. State the types of patching.
5. State 5 guidelines for storing clothes in the wardrobe.
6. State three methods or places for storing clothes.
7. State 5 procedures for maintaining household linen.

Assignment

1. List the steps to follow when darning.
2. State 4 guidelines for storing clothes in drawers or shelves.
3. State 4 ways of caring for shoes or jewellery.