HINTS AND IDEAS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 175, 25 July 1936, Page 3 (Supplement)

HINTS AND IDEAS.

THINGS WORTH KNOWING.

RENOVATING VELVET.

Velvet is a delightful material for afternoon and evening wear, and so fashionable, too, in cold weather. Unfortunately it is not easily washed, and consequently it needs to be kept clean by frequent attentions. To remove water spots from velvet or plush, wet a clean towel thoroughly and fold it over a hot iron. Eold the iron over the spotted part of the velvet so that the steam will reach it. Do not allow the iron to touch the velvet or the whole effect will be spoiled. Stains on velvet or plush can be removed by the application of benzine. Clothes so must afterwards be shaken well and left in the fresh air for some time. To raise the pile of the velvet that has been rubbed, make a large flat iron very hot. .Place this with a wet cloth laid over it. The steam will then rise rapidly, <■ Hold the right side of the velvet over it.

LOVELY HANDS. The hands can be kept in very_ good condition if you wear gloves for* dirty jobs, spend five minutes a day in caring for them, anoint them nightly with cream or lotion, and devote half-an-lioul* a week to giving them a manicure. First wash the hands in warm, soapy water, using a nail brush to ensure that the finger nails are perfectly clean. Rinse the hands in cold water, and dry them well. Then file the nails, working from the sides of the nails to the centre and forming an oval. Take a piece of cotton wool, wind it round an orange stick, and dip in cuticle remover. Very gently press back the cuticle, taking plenty of time to soften it thoroughly. Wash the hands again in warm, soapy water. Cuticle cream should now be smeared thickly round the base and sides of the nail. Leave on for several moments, especially if the cuticle is dry and hard. Then wipe clean. Tfail white should be smoothed under the tips and the nails polished.

CLEANING POLISHED FURNITURE. Polished furniture, if it is allowed to become very dirty, should occasionally be washed, so as to remove the dirt,i dust and smoke which has settled on i'ts surface. A good way to do this is to add a tablespoonful of paraffin to a pint of luke warm water and wash the furniture with a piece of flannel which has been wrung out in this mixture. Keep the flannel moist, but not too wet. After giving the furniture a good hard rub, dry it with a warm duster, and revive the polish with the following mixture: Six ounces raw linseed oil°added to 3oz acetic acid. Stir this well, and add Joz butter of antimony, and then 2oz methylated spirits. Apply this with a soft duster. You will be surprised at th<j polish it gives to the furniture, which ■wiL 1 take 011 a lustre as though new