HINTS AND IDEAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 147, 23 June 1934, Page 3 (Supplement)

HINTS AND IDEAS.

CONTAINERS,

CELLOPHANE ENVELOPES,

Cellophane paper, of t'ne kind now familiar for wrapping chocolate and other edible things, is being made into the most fascinating envelope bags, which serve all sorts of useful purposes. The paper—which is really fine silk treated in a particular way —is bound with coloured tape or bias binding and folded into flat shapes, single or double, dumpy or long-sliaped, in the same way as adopted for oil-silk tobacco pouches. It is, of course, entirely transparent, and has a brilliant freshness of appearance which recommends it to those who like everything to be as dainty as possible.

For travelling such cases can be used to hold handkerchiefs, silk underclothing, stocKings, comb, and so forth, and they look well 011 the toilet table, where they keep toilet accessories wholly free from dust and grit. ' Still another use is for sandwiches or other email eatables. Again, letters can conveniently be slipped into an envelope of the sort, answered letters being in one and unanswered in another, each sort being visible without having to undo the packet unnecessarily or having any kind of label attached. Anybody wishing to give a. small and light and inexpensive yet novel present to a friend —especially a friend about to travel —might do worse than run up a. few containers of this material, as it could be given at the last possible moment without causing inconvenience in packing. Naturally, anything very damp, such as a sponge that contains much water, cannot be successfully carried in cellophane, but this is tlie only exception in a large assortment of belongings, which are more easily managed when tliey have a place for themselves.

A SAVING IN SOAP. l'ut any ends of soap with a little water into a pan and let it simmer till dissolved. When slightly cool, add enough silversand to form a stiff paste, roll into balls and set in a cool place to harden. This preparation is excellent for scrubbing kitchen tables. SHININESS FROM CLOTHES. Well wash some ivy leaves in cold water and put them in. a saucepan with enough cold . water to cover well; boil slowly until tlio leaves are tender. Strain off the liquid and use it for sponging the shiny places, having first thoroughly brushed the garment. SOILED LEATHER GLOVES. Leather gloves which are stained with grease should be rubbed with toasted bread, or with a mixture of fuller's earth and powdered allxim. If this fails take a meat bone, drop it in the fire and leave there until it turns white; then lift it out with the tongs, crush it well and rub the grease spot with the powder.

TO CLEAN VARNISHED PAPER. Varnished paper, such, as that used in kitchens and bathrooms, should first he washed in hot water and soap to remove all dirt. Then polish with a mixture of equal quantities of sweet oil and vinegar that has been first -warmed in the oven. WHEN CLEANING STEEL BUCKLES. Make a paste of olive oil and finely powdered whitening, rub it on the buckle, let it dry on, then brush off and polish the buckle with dry whitening.