commercial laundry with cost paid from the command O & M funds. Care
should be taken to have linens properly folded, or have them returned as
flatwork (unfolded and on hangers),
CARE AND CLEANING OF EUCHARISTIC LINENS.—Two
Eucharistic linens require special cleaning:
Corporal—This cloth is used to catch any pieces of the consecrated
host which may drop. These pieces must be properly disposed of in the
sacrarium and the cloth thoroughly rinsed before laundering.
Purificator—This cloth is used to wipe the thin film of wine from the
chalice after the service. Because it too comes in contact with Eucharistic
elements, it must be thoroughly rinsed in the sacrarium before laundering.
The other Eucharistic linen, the finger towel, does not require special
attention. It needs only regular laundering.
CARE AND CLEANING OF VESTMENTS.—When the chaplain
conducts a worship service or officiates at a sacrament or ordinance, he may
wear vestments (clothing which reflects his role as priest or minister to the
congregation). It is your responsibility to prepare these special garments
before the service. Normally you will prepare them for the chaplain in the
sacristy. After the service, you should return the vestments to the sacristy
closet, and check them for tears, stains, or wrinkles. It is your responsibility
to see that there are always enough clean vestments on hand for the chaplain
to wear while conducting the service. Vestments are usually chapel property.
The cost of drycleaning is paid from appropriated command O & M funds,
Vestments that are modified for use in field and combat situations are
usually lighter in weight, washable, smaller, and made of wrinkle-resistant
material. Because the material for each kind of vestment varies with the
garment manufacturer, the label should be checked for cleaning instructions.
Each vestment requires individual attention. Some, like the surplus and alb,
require frequent care.
REMOVAL OF WAX.—The BEST method for the removal of wax from
cloth items (altar frontals and antependia, vestments, etc.), is to place the
item on a flat surface, place a brown paper bag, paper towel, or ink blotter
over the wax, then press with a WARM iron. You should keep the iron
moving to prevent scorching. (Be careful with man-made fibers since an iron
that is too hot could melt some of them.) If the cloth item is cleaned by
laundering, an alternate method for removal of wax may be used. Run hot
water from a faucet, or pour boiling water through the spotted area of the
cloth. As the wax melts, it will be washed out of the cloth by the force of the
water. (Never use this method for items which must be drycleaned.)
An overflow of wax onto metal objects such as candlesticks, candle
followers, etc., may be removed with tissue paper or a soft paper product
while the wax is still warm. The BEST way to remove hard, dried wax is to
run hot water over the item to melt the wax, then wipe with a paper towel or
soft cloth. (DO NOT attempt to scrape the wax, or remove it with steel wool
as this will scar the finish.)
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