HINTS AND IDEAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 29, 4 February 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

HINTS AND IDEAS.

THINGS WORTH KNOWING,

EFFICIENT WASHING-UP.

There is no household task which is performed so often as washing-up. Some women do not mind washing-up; but others hate it. If, however, they really studied the question of washing-up and had everything to make it easier, then perhaps they would not dislike it so much. Some prefer to wash-up in the sink itself, and if so, a deep, .perfectly clean sink is, of course, necessary, others like a deep enamel bowl. A good-sized mop, clean dishcloth, a washing powder, with soda for very greasy dishes, a drainer, or wooden table conveniently near the sink, or a plate rack, and clean, dry tea cloths and glassclothes are all required. Stack all dishes in an orderly manner near the sink, first emptying tea cups, and removing bits from plates, etc. Greasy dishes and frying pans, if first rubbed with clean newspapers, which should be burnt immediately, are far less trouble to clean. Wash glasses first in cold water, and dry them. Then wash silver in hot, soapy water, dry at once and rub with a chamois leather. Put knives to soak blades only —in a jug of hot soda water, then carry on with the washing, tackling cups and saucers and non-greasy things first, and meat dishes last. Pudding dishes and everything that has contained milky and starchy foods should :be put to soak first. Saucepans are the final task, before the cleaning of the sink, the drying of drainers, etc., and the washing out of mops, dish cloths and drying cloths. There is one essential without which washing-up is something to be dreaded, and that is hot water. If one has a good kitchener or boiler, then plenty of water is sure to be had when there is a fire going, but in very hot weather it is not always desirable to have a fire. By installing an automatic gas water heater near the sink, an abundance of hot water can be obtained at quite a low cost, and one is independent of the kitchen fire. It can be hung upon the wall and connected to adjacent gas and water pipes. It is automatic in action, a patent thermostat, reducing the gas to a tiny flame (which burns 2 cubic feet of gas per hour) when the water is hot, and raising it again when the water is drawn off. This automatic control renders the iboiler economical and simple in use. The running costs are low.

WELL-MADE TEA. There is only one way to make a real £ good cup of tea. Have the water boiling and pour some into the teapot. When £ it is warmed, put in the tea —one tea- . spoonful to each cup of tea required. < Pour the boiling water on to the leaves, , but only half-fill the teapot. Put on the t lid and the tea-cosy, and let it stand ( to infuse for at least five minutes. Then , fill the teapot with more boiling water, and it is ready. Always have another pot ■with more boiling water, 60 that you can serve the tea weak or strong, according to the individual taste. The golden drink that results from this careful method is real tea, and will do you good and not harm you, even if you prefer it strong. Of course, the real tea drinkers of the world —the Chinese and the Russians—would never use milk or sugar in their tea. The Russians might take a slice of lemon —and how refreshing this is! The ideal thing to eat with a cup of tea is just dry biscuits, not rich cakes and sandwiches. Do not drink tea with your meals. Have your food first, and a little later serve tea, and it will taste much better. WHAT AN ONION WILL DO. Rust stains on steel knives can be removed with the juice of a raw onion. Rub a slice of onion over the affected parts, then polish in the usual way. Try the juice of an onion for removing burnt foodstuff that clings to the sides of an aluminium saucepan. Rub well into the metal, then fill the pan with water and boil for half an hour. This will loosen the burnt food, leaving the inside of the pan quite clean. Onion juice can be used for polishing tinware. Allow it to dry on the metal, then polish in the usual way. Linen that lias become slightly scorched should be rubbed with slices of raw onion. Rub the juice well into the fabric, leave for a few minutes, then wash in a warm, soapy lather and rinse in tepid water. WHEN WASHING KNIVES. Knives should never be soaked in hot water. They should be put, blade downwards, in a" jug with enough hot water and soda to reach just up to the handles. After soaking in this for a little while they should be wiped with a dishcloth and dried thoroughly with a coarse cloth kept for the purpose. Ivory or bone handles that have become stained or discoloured may be improved by rubbing them with a cut lemon dipped in salt.