HINTS AND IDEAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 185, 6 August 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

HINTS AND IDEAS.

THINGS WORTH KNOWING.

A DUSTLESS DUSTER.

Put into a quart-size jar one teaspoonful of good quality furniture polish or one tablespoonful of kerosene and the lame of paraffin or typewriter oil. -Then turn and tip the jar until the inside is thoroughly coated, and then invert into a saucer until the surplus liquid has drained out. Put a square of butter muslin or velveteen .into the jar, cover and let stand for several days until the fabric is thoroughly impregnated with the oily substance. Shake after using, but do not wash it until it is no longer capable of retaining the dust.

A BATHROOM HINT.

In order to save tht, bathroom walls and fittings from being damaged by condensing steam, a length of rubber piping should be kept at hand and attached to the hot water tap when the bath is to be filled. The piping should be just long enough to reach almost to the bottom of the bath. Before the hot water is turned on an inch or so of cold water should be run in, so that the lower end of the rubber pipe is well covered. Very hot water may then be added without any inconvenience from clouds of steam and without damage to the enamel of the bath from sudden and excessive heat.

L ASTRINGENT FACE LOTION. An excellent astringent face lotion to 1 be used after a face cream in the morning ' before putting on powder, is made up • as follows:—Rose water, six tablespoon- • fuls; Eau de two tablespoon- ! fuls; boracic powder, two teaspoonf uls; ! witch hazel six tablespoonfuls; tincture 1 of benzoin, one tablespoonful. Mix the ■ ingredients well together in a bottle, 1 and apply with a wad of cotton-wool. * RUBBER CAPS. Bathing caps of rubber that have been ! stored during the winter should, before they are used again, be soaked in warm ' soapy water to which a little ammonia has been added. Then rub between the hands until quite pliable before attempting to stretch over the head. If stretched while they are dry and hard they are liable to split. THE VALUE OF RAISINS. Raisins are highly recommended because of the amount of iron they contain, and they should appear on the menu more often than they do. To make raisin fritters, make an ordinary frying batter, and add plenty of raisins to it. Fry in the® usual way, drain, and sieve with powdered sugar. TO CLEAN WALLPAPER. Starch can be used with good effect for cleaning soiled wallpaper. Apply with a damp cloth, paying particular attention to parte which are badly soiled. A USEFUL HINT. A good method of cleaning leather upholstery is to wash with a cloth wrung out in warm water t - which a little vinegar has been added. i..,.. WHEN DYE RUNS. To prevent the dye from running when washing coloured silks, add a little salt—one dessertspoonful to i pint— to the washing water and it will "set" the colours and prevent them from running. REMOVING TAR STAINS. Rub the stain • carefully with oil of eucalyptus.. Work from the centre of the stain inwards. * HANDY TIPS. To Cure Bunions.; —Wear shoes with a wide toe. Never wear shoes too tight for the foot, as they are mainly the cause of bunions and corns. Apply iodine to the spot every night until the skill becomes tender, then stop it. A Bath Mat.—Open up two clean sugar bags, join together, and bind with red twill. Letter in pencil the word 1 'bath" across centre. In twill, same is binding, the letters can bo machined m. This makes a lovely mat, and can 6e boiled when soiled. Old Paint or Putty.—To remove old paint or putty, make a paste with soft soap_ and a solution of caustic soda; lay it on with a brush and leave on for several hours, when you will find the paint or putty has softened, so that it can be easily removed. Quick Mode.—The best way to boat an egg quickly: Break it into a glass tumbler, place a clean piece of greaseproof paper on the top, and hold down firmly to keep out the air, shake the tumbler for a few minutes. It is then ready for use and just as good as if beaten for 10 minutes.