Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Junior Secondary School 2

SUBJECT: HOME ECONOMICS

CLASS:  JSS 2

DATE:

TERM: 1st TERM

 
WEEK 10

TOPIC: MAINTENANCE OF HOUSEHOLD LINEN AND CLOTHING

Meaning of Household Linen

Household Linen is a fabric obtained from the inner part of woody stem of the flax plant grows in temperate countries.

The fabric is produced into fabric called line. This is useful in the hone as sheets, high quality clothes and particularly as a chair covers and tablecloths.

Types of Household Linen and Clothing 

There are many types or varieties of linen. Some common ones are

1. Line damask
2. Line sheeting
3. Line embroidery
4. Cranky
5. Dowlas toweling
6. Brabbetts, drills and dusters.
7. Hessians
8. Forfars

Linen Damask: This is a fine –twilled textile made of flax in which every description of design is woven.

Line sheeting: This is manufactured and used for bed linen    .

Line Embroidery: This is used for decorating borders to towels and table cloths.

Cranky: This is a combination of linen and cotton with irregular patterns.

Dowlas Toweling: This is a half –beached materials with round threads.

Drabbetts, Drill and Dusters: A mixture of linen and cloth of various patterns and sizes.

Hessians: This is a mixture of hemp and jute.

Forfars: A coarse has stuff of unbleached flax.

Others include: Diapers, Holland (Hollandec), Cambrics (Handkerchief).

Factors to Consider in the Selection of Household Linen 

1. The types of interior decoration of a sitting room: The types of linen for table cover and chair cover must match the type of upholstery the door a window blinds.
2. The types of size of family: Line that are durable and have deep shade of colouris required in large families with young children.

1. The economy of the family: Some families have enough money for costly expensive linen while other cannot. Poor homes can buy cheap linen materials while rich home can buy more durable and fashionable linen materials.
2. The skill of the homemaker: Those homemakers who can make good choice of linen materials should be considered to selecting linen that will beautify the home and still last long.
3. Available line in the market: The homemakers can only select good materials from those available in the market. That is choice of linen depends on the available materials.
4. Types of environment: Weather condition also determine selection of linen (hot or cold) . People should select materials that are suitable for the weather condition of their home environment.
5. Durability: Some linen are durable, some are not. People should select materials that would not lose brightness, wear out, crease or wrinkle easily

Care or Maintenance of Household Linen 

Dirty or soiled linen such as bed sheets should be kept in a covered basket or laundry bag until they can be laundered.

1. Some linen such as napkins and floor cloths should be washed immediately after each use.
2. Care must be taken to remove all stains during the washing process.
3. Washed linen should be properly ironed
4. Air the linen properly.
5. Fold the aired linen properly.
6. Heavy linen such as bed sheets should be stored in dry airy shelves in a cupboard. Storage shelves should be strong.
7. Small light articles, such as tea cloths, napkins, place-mats, may be kept in drawers.
8. Cover stored linen with muslin or other suitable material to prevent dust from settling on them.
9. Similar articles, e.g. Bed sheets, pillow cases, towels, etc should be kept together.
10. Mend the linen as soon as tear is noticed. Linen should not be stored in a frayed or torn condition.
11. Keep linen in a good repair as long as possible.

Methods of Storage of Family Clothes or Linen 

There are three basic methods of storage family clothes or linen. 

1. Storage in boxes or bags
2. Storage in closets or wardrobe with hanger.
3. Storage of clothes in drawers and shelves.

• Storage in Boxes or Bags: This method protects clothes from insects, dust, light, and air that is either too humid or too dry.

Guidelines for Storing Clothes in Boxes or Bags

1. Select a good box or bag for your clothes.
2. Store only clean clothes.
3. Iron the clothes before storing them in the box.
4. Store in the box seasonal clothes or those you do not wear often.
5. Fold clothes properly before storing in the box.
6. Place folded clothes carefully in the box.

• Storage in Closets or Wardrobe with Hanger

1. Use good quality hangers. Skirts and trousers require special hangers.
2. Do not hang loosely woven fabric articles such as sweaters because they can stretch out of shape.
3. Delicate and fine fabrics such as silk require padded hangers.
4. The shoulders of clothes should be properly eased in and placed on the hangers, zippers closed, buttons (at least the top one) fastened.
5. Do not overcrowd the wardrobe with clothes, so that air can circulate among the clothes.
6. Keep your clothes from dust. The clothes can be covered with water proof bags.
7. Hang similar items together in the closet for ease in finding them.
8. Remove extra hangers from the closets in order to maximize the hanging space.
9. Brush and air the clothes frequently to prevent dust.
10.  To prevent creases in trousers and skirts, hang them from waist band on special hangers.
11. Keep some camphor balls in the closet to prevent the entry of insects such as cockroaches.
12. Clean the wardrobe or closet frequently.

• Storage of Clothes in Drawers and Shelves. Certain clothes are best stored in the drawers, .e.g., heavy woven sweaters.

Guidelines for Storing Clothes in Drawers or Shelves

1. Store only clean clothes in the drawers and shelves.
2. Fold the clothes carefully to remove all creases.
3. Stack the light clothes on top of the heavy ones to prevent crushing.
4. Keep some camphor balls in the drawers or shelves to keep insects away.

Examples of Types of Household Linen 

1. Curtains and draperies
2. Bed linen
3. Table linen
4. Bedroom linen
5. Kitchen linen

1. Curtains and Draperies: These fabrics used for decorating our doors and windows. Curtains can be light or heavy, opaque or transparent.

• Bed Linen: Bed linen includes all the different types of fabric materials used to make bed. Such as mattress covers, bed sheets, pillow cases and   Blankets 

• Table Linen: Table linen refers to all clothes, and mats used on the table. They are of different varieties of materials and include: Table cloths: Place mats and Table napkins: used during meals for protecting your dress and for wiping the mouth and hands.

• Bathroom Linen: 

1. Bath trowel: these are of various sizes, colours and qualities. They are used for wiping the body dry after bath.
2. Face-towels: These are smaller than bath-towels. They are for cleaning the face.

• Kitchen Linen: Kitchen linen is made up of the different clothes used in the kitchen for various purposes. They are very important for keeping the kitchen tidy. 

• Hand towels: These are used for wiping and drying hands.

• Oven gloves or cloth: These are often padded and used for taking out hot pans and dishes from the oven or top of the cooker.

• Dish: These lintless or non fluffy clothes used for:

1. Wiping off spills on kitchen surfaces.
2. Wiping washed surfaces or equipment such as sinks, tables and work areas.

1. Glass cloth: This is also lintless and is used for wiping washed glass-wares, e.g. Tumblers and dishes