HINTS AND IDEAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 233, 1 October 1932, Page 4 (Supplement)

HINTS AND IDEAS.

USELESS HOARDING. A DAY OF DISCARDING. Upon some of us the hoarding mania was bestowed at birth, and many more of us acquired it during the war days when every trifle was something to be treasure in case of a dire need of it (eays Edith Marshall in the Glasgow "Weekly Herald"); in most of the older generation it is so deeply ingrained that it is almost impossible of eradication, eo that we go through life burdened with superfluities which eeem to increase yearly and which make many days of labour when the time epent upon them, is reckoned up throughout the year. Old ornaments, old furniture, books, papers, letters, and an endless list of other oddments—all are kept for would-be economical or perhaps sentimental reasons. Most of them are wornout and worthless, but because they might ''come in handy some day or other" they are kept to cumber space that would be better'left empty. Sometimes just apathy is the reason of their being. It is perhaps too much trouble to set to work and destroy or remove the conglomeration of useless lumber. The only Temedy for such a complaint ae this hoarding is ruthless discarding. A day. or two of this should precede every spring cleaning. If you are afraid that a leisurely process will weaken your will in this respect and cause you to set aside some of the articles in the hope that one day there will be an opportunity of repairing -or renovating, make the job a sweeping one. Be ruthless. Cart the whole assortment outside and have a glorious bonfire. But if the will is strong and some of the things may really be usable, start at the top of the house and work gradually down, carefully examining damaged and faded ;oodSj and eetting those aside that may jasily be renovated. Then attend to them at once. Unless china is very good it really isn't worth the trouble of sticking it properly. And as for children's toys, why, their affection for ancient dolls and decrepit animals is very much over-rated. Besides, decaying toys breed disease. There is no cruelty in throwing away the derelicts. Then, when you have rid yourselves of the incommodious garnerings, make up your

minds to harbour do more of them. Home will be a much healthier, cheerier place. There\ is only one point that must rigidly be borne in mind. It is no use having regrets when the discarding is over and done with. So forget all about the once sentimental accumulation and etart spring cleaning with a fresh outlook. AN EASY WAY TO PEEL APPLES. Pour scalding- water over the apples, and then the skins may easily be slipped off and much labour and time saved. . GREASE STAINS ON LEATHER. Pipeclay will be found excellent for removing grease stains from leather upholstery. Make the "clay" into a fairly soft paste with cold wate/, spread over the stain, and allow to remain for- about 12 hours, then brush off. DRIVING NAILS INTO PLASTER. When driving a nail' into a plastered wall, first put it into very hot water until it is thoroughly heated. You can then drive it in clean without breaking or chipping any of the surrounding plaster. WHEN MAKING SANDWICHES. Beef or ham for sandwiches is much more palatable if the meat is first put through the mincer and mixed to a paste with a little fresh tomato pulp and a little made mustard. TO KEEP BUTTER FIRM. Invert a large flower-pot over a bowl containing butter. Place this in a basin of water. Damp a piece of flannel and arrange it over the flower-pot so that it dips into water all round. Keep the material (lamp and in a current of air. Constant evaporation keeps butter cool.

FIREPROOF DECORATIONS. To render flimsy decorations fireresisting, dip them in a solution made by dissolving lib sulphate of ammonia and 21b sal-ammonia in two gallons of water, and hang out to dry. Cotton wool should be sprinkled -with this solution for the same purpose. TO REMOVE FRUIT STAINS. Fresh fruit etains can be removed by pouring on. them hot water from the height of a few feet, or, if the fabric is delicate, by sponging with- hot water. If the stain turns grey' and does not fade away entirely, moisten it with lemon juice and try the hot-water treatment again. Do not wash the stain with soap and water, as the alkali will make the stains worse.