NOTES FOR WOMEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 89, 15 April 1913, Page 6

NOTES FOR WOMEN.

HOUSEHOLD HINTS. Flat-irons should never be allowed to get red-hot, for they will not retain the heat so well afterwards, and will lose their smoothness. When ironing sprinkle some salt on a fiat surface and rub the hot irons over it whenever they seem rough and stick to the fabric. The following uses up the " slack" which accumulates in. every household, and is at the same time a good way .oi using up quantities of waste-paper. Put the paper into a pail of Avater, let it steep a little, then squeeze into loose bails". Place these on a clear, low fire of cinders (or coke will answer), and on the paper balls throw coal dust mixed with cinders. Leave the first untouched for hours, and when poked it lights up into a gloAving, warm fire. This is a splendid way Avhen a fire is required to be kept in all night. When srravy has been spilled over table linen, tlie spots should be thoroughly rubbed on both sides with French chalk. It, should then be folded and put away a<s usual till the next week, when it will only be necessary to brush off the chalk, to "find the linen quite unstained. Safeguarding Cotton Materials. —This is a simple suggestion, but worthy of observation:—AVhen washing any cotton goods, such as light summer dresses, bed curtains, linen, etc.. simply add loz. of common crushed alum to the last rinsing water. By so doing the goods will be rendered unflammable, or so slightly combustible that in the event of coming into contact with lire they would only smoulder, and would not burst into flame. This is a simple precaution, which should he adopted in families where there are children. • In cleaning nigs do not whip them unless they are spread flat on the ground, nor should they be hung over a line. Be careful to' sweep them in the direction they are woven, which may be ascertained by feeling Avith the hand Avhich way the warp runs. • Add a teaspoonful of baking powder to old potatoes when mashing them and beat briskly. This will make them light and creamy. If a boot or shoe pinches, a cloth wrung out of very hot water and laid over the place Avhile the boot is on the foot will expand the leather and give instant relief. Soup will be as good on the "second day as on the first if heated to boilingpoint, lt should neA-er be left in a saucepan, but turned into a dish and put aside to cool. Do not cover the, soup, as that may cause it .to turn sour.: Irritating noises can *ue avoTeeil by taking some old felt hate, and cutting out from them discs about the of a sixpence or a shilling, and securely fastening them with gum or glue to the bottom of the legs of chairs, tables, or other movable articles not already provided Avith castors. This also prevents the scratching of polished floors and linoleum. Tea leaves are often used to sweep carpets, but they should not be too wet or lefit lying about too long,' as the colour may come out of the carpet. Tealeaves, however, are valuable for A'arious other purposes. Store them for three or four days, soak them in a pail for about an hour, then strain off the water, Avhich is an excellent waish for all varnished paints, ami makes them look equal ito new. AVindow-sashes and oilcloth should always be washed with it, and it is excellent for' window-panes, looking-glasses, and picture-glasses. It must not be used for unvarnished paint. The unpleasant odour -of fish can be removed from knives and forks hy leaving them in it. Here is a good recipe for mincemeat: Take lib stoned raisins, 21b moist sugar, lib suet, lib currants, 3 large lemons, 3 large apples, loz candied citron (sliced), loz candied orange peel (sliced), loz candied lemon peel (sliced), 1 teacupful brandy,. 2 tablespoonfuls orange , anarmalade. Grate the rinds of the lemons, squeeze out the juice, strain it, and boil the remainder of the lemons till tender enough to chop finely, then add the apples, which should be baked and their skins and cores removed, put in the remaining ingredients one by one, and as they are added mix everything thoroughly together. Put the mincemeat into jars with closely-fitting lids, and it will be ready in a fortnight. To keep the coffee-pot sweet and clean, put a tablespoonful of carbonaite of soda into* it, fill it nearly full ol water, and let it boil for a little while. j Then rinse very thoroughly with several lots of warm water. If this is done once a week, the pot will always be fresh and nice. If suet be melted down in the oven and put into jars it will keep* for any length of time, and is much better to chop up if done in this Avar. Puddings will keep better if made with suet that has been melted in the oven. There is a proper way to mix blacking. Cut the cake of blacking into small pieces, put it in a saucer, and pour over enough sweet milk to make it into a rather thick cream.' Blacking mixed in tins way helps to prevent the leather from cracking. Never starch linen that is to be stored for a long time; it is apt to crack, and if left for many years will rot. Rinse the articles quite free from starch dry and fold away, if possible, iv blue paper! the blue paper always keeps them from turning yellow. Ja.m that has become hard and can be made almost as good as new by placing it in tlie oven until the su"-ar melts, then taking it out and leaving it to cool. ° To bake potatoes quickly. boil them in salted water for ten minutes, then put them m the oven. The boiling -water Avill heat them through, and thcvwill cook m a short time. To dean a tiled hearth, use turpentine rubbed on with a flannel, which will immediately remove all stains. Polish with a dry duster, and it will look like new. lhe tiles should never he washed with water. Bread Boards.—To keep these a" beautiful colour, rub them well with half a lemon, and then wash them in cold water, and stand them in the wind or m the sun to, dry. When Making Cakes.—When baking cakes, if the oven seems too hot, put it basin of hot water on the lower shelf before putting the cakes in. This will prevent them from burning. Don't keep opening and closing the oven door, and don't bang the door when you close it Don't wash fruit just before putting it into a cake, or the cake is likely to be heavy. Rub 'the fruit in a little dry flour. This will quickly c i ean j t To Remove Fish SmelL—To remove the smell of fish from pots or pans, after cleaning flicm hold utensils upside down over the fire for about a minute.