HINTS AND IDEAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 147, 24 June 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

HINTS AND IDEAS.

COLD FEET.

EXERCISES FOR WARMING.

For toning up the circulation of the feet the following exercises are excellent First stand with the feet together, rise to the toes, and, using the feet alternately, kick backward as far as possible. Another exercise is done in much the same way, by balancing on the toes and lifting alternate knees quickly, and as high as possible. Move lightly to avoid straining the toe joints. Ease will come with practice. Here is a general toning up exercise. Balance on the toes and spring high, raising the arms above and a little in front of the head, and clap the hands. Then swing arms down and back, so that the backs of the hands touch behind the body. Do not overdo the exercises at first. "Work up to them gradually. Regularity is important if vou are to feel the benefit of them. They will not take long once they have been mastered.

THE CARPET SWEEPER. To keep a carpet sweeper in good condition it should "have its bristles brushed every day with a small wire brush, which will remove any particles of fluff which may have adhered to them. When the bristles become soiled they may be washed in warm, soapy water and rubbed with a small brush to render them perfectly clean. Rinse in warm water, and finally stiffen the bristles by passing them through a warm rinsing water which contains a large lump of common salt. The salt will prevent the bristles from softening. Dry out of doors, and when not in use hang up with the sweeper off the ground. PERFUMING YOUR OWN SOAP. Home-made soaps are very pleasant, and can bo made with very little trouble. Cut up a pound of soap, put in an earthenware pot, and add a little water. Place the pot before the fire. When the soap begins to soften, add in oatmeal. Mix to a thick paste, melt again, add a little perfume —eau de Cologne is delightful —and then cool. Before the mixture is quite cold shape it into balls or squares. This soap is ideal for delicate complexions, states a writer in "The Queen." REMOVING PAINT. Paint can be removed with a commercial remover, but the cost is much greater and the result is no more satisfactory than the method given here. Have a large bucket of boiling water, a long-handled dish mop, a tin of potash, a bottle of vinegar, and a pair of rubber gloves. Dissolve the potash in the boiling water, shaking it in gradually to prevent it boiling over. Then with the dish mop apply the potash solution to the paint, rubbing until the paint is all removed. When the paint is removed wash over with vinegar to prevent the potash sinking into the pores of the wood. When dry, the wood may be polished in the usual way. TO CLEAN A COLLAR. ; When last year's winter coat is taken out of store preparatory to doing another season's service, it may be found that the collar is rather greasy even though the coat does not require a thorough cleaning. Particularly is this the case if the coat has not a fur collar. The marks may be removed quite easily at home without having the whole coat cleaned, by means of French chalk. Brush the collar thoroughly, and rub an application of powdered French chalk well into the greasy marks. Leave on for a time and then brush out with a fairly stiff brush. If any traces of grease remain a second application will prove successful. CLEANING WALLS. Wallpaper that is only slightly soiled can be cleaned with oatmeal applied with a damp cloth. Rub the oatmeal well into the paper, paying particular attention to stained parts. If the wallpaper is. varnished rub lightly with a cloth which has been wrung out in strong cold tea. Allow the moisture to dry on the paper, then polish with a pad of soft cloth. White woodwork can be cleaned with a tepid soapy lather to which a little whitening has been added. Pinee with clear warm water and dry with a soft cloth. Holes in the walls should first be filled with plaster of paris. Torn patches on wallpaper can be covered with odd pieces of paper of the same colour and design. In applying the paper care should be taken to avoid breaking the design.