HINTS AND IDEAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 249, 21 October 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

HINTS AND IDEAS.

STAINING A FLOOR.

HOW TO PROCEED.

Stained and polished floors are an attractive feature of many modern homes, I but the staining and polishing must be well done. An amateurish touch spoils the whole effect. Before the actual staining is begun, the flooring must be made perfectly smooth and clean. Go over the boards carefully, smoothing down rough places with glasspaper, or, if necessary, a plane. Then scrub the floor thoroughly, taking care to remove all traces of soap. When the floor is dry, any cracks or nail holes there may be in the boards should be filled in with putty or paper-pulp. Paper-pulp for this purpose is made from paper torn up into small pieces and boiled, with a small quantity of glue, to the consistency of putty. For staining, a combination of ; black Japan and turpentine is commonly used. The average proportion is two parts of turpentine to one part Japan black, which gives a medium shade, but by varying these proportions, any shade, from light to dark oak, can be obtained. Having obtained the shade desired by, testing on a piece of spare wood, apply | the stain to the flooring with a flat brush, following the grain of the wood. Allow the stain to dry, and, if a high polish is desired, apply a coat of varnish. Quite a good polish is obtained in time, however, by applying a good floor polish. A coating of linseed oil applied over the stain and allowed to dry thoroughly before the polish is put on will help the wood. The advantage of the blaek Japan and turpentine stain is that it penetrates well into tlio wood. It is very durable and unlikely to show scratches from I furniture placed on it.

CASEMENT WINDOWS. j Casement windows have a charm of | their own, but in the past their popularity has been restricted by the objections that the extent to which they can be opened is limited, that they are liable to become unlatched and rattle to and fro in the wind, and that, on a breezy day, curtains and hangings are often blown through tho window out into the weather. These troubles have been overcome in the exhibition home in London, where the casement windows, while retaining the traditional beauty of their type, are exempt from the charges usually laid against them on utilitarian grounds. The casements in this case swing on. pivots instead of tho usual hinges, the window pivoting open on an axis so that cleaning of both sides of the glass from the inside is facilitated. Special catches are installed, which secure the casement at any required angle so firmly that tho stiffest breeze cannot rattle or slam them. How successfully to screen casement windows was long a baffling problem, but the fly wire screens used in the exhibition homo have overcome the difficulty. This ingenious type is something new in modern home construction, and is worthy of more than passing mention. Dust-proof and fly-proof, they are enclosed in the box frames of the windows, and roll up like roller blinds into recesses above. Drawn right down, they are fastened by a catch at the base of ' the window, which prevents them from being opened from the outside. They have thus the advantage of giving added protection against sneaki thieves; They are attached on the side of the panes nearest the room. The window shades and draperies are placed on the inside of the screen. This allows the operation of the shades without opening the screens each time. In addition, the screen acts as a protection against the shades and drapes being ] blown out of the open windows into the I weather.

EFFECTIVE LACQUER. Tlie woman who is artistic and quick with her fingers could obtain charming results by lacquering a shabby piece of furniture. Most of the large stores sell a complete lacquer outfit with detailed directions for using. It is well to remember, however, that several thin coats of lacquer are more satisfactory than one thick coating, and each coat should be allowed to dry, and, if necessary, bo rubbed smooth with sandpaper before the next is applied. When the groundwork is hard the article can be decorated in a variety of ways. A fairly simple design is best for a beginner; then, as she gains experience, something more elaborate can be attempted. Chinese or Japanese figures, such as temples, bridges, gorgeous birds and dragons, and mandarins, are very effective, and they are not difficult to do. CLEANING ALUMINIUM. A pad of fine steel wool can be used for cleaning aluminium ware. Discoloration inside the pan can also »e removed with a cold, weak solution of vinegar and water, using one teaspoonful of vinegar to a quart of water. Bring slowly to the boil and boil for five minutes. Then throw away th-3 water and rinse in clean water. Dry the pan thoroughly before putting away. Grease is very easily removed from aluminium utensils with the aid of very hot water to which a small quantity of waterglaso lias added. Then rinse in clean hot water. The outside of aluminium i tenuis can be eucvtssfully polished with whitening. Of course soda must never u=ed.

WHITE VINEGAR. Six tablespoonfuls of glacial acid (obtainable from any chemist), five pints of water. If the vinegar is required to keep for some time, it is i advisable to boil the water before adding the acid, otherwise the water may be used cold. This vinegar is excellent for the making of pickles and preserves. If desirous of using it as table vinegar, arid a little "browning," which is also obtainable from a chemist. STAIN REMOVER. A tea or coffee stain can be removed by first pouring through boiling water and then rubbing on a little borax; pour on more boiling water, then allow the stained part to soak until removed. Rinse in clean water. HOUSEHOLD HINTS. To preserve linoleum and prolong its life, give it an occasional washing with a mixture of turpentine and milk. Goloshes which have split should be stitched together with large stitches in wool. Never use cotton, as this would team them still further. . Cooking salt can be reduced to powder j more easily if the block is allowed to,' stand on cold tiles, or on a stone sill, for half an hour beforehand. Fried eggs r.re less liable to break or stick to the pan if a little flour is added' to the fat in the frying pan. j To measure treacle, dip the measuring, cup or spoon into scalding water, andj the treacle will turn out quickly.