THE MODERN HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 172, 21 April 1928, Page 20

THE MODERN HOUSE

Many are the modern devices that add considerably to the comfort of the modem home. Where electricity is at hand a double wall-plug, or one plug fitted with a two-way adaptor, will prove a great boon, since it makes it possible to use a reading lamp and at'the same time connect the electric kettle at teatime or a radiator if added warmth is required. An electric trivet to stand in or near the hearth is very useful, too, for keeping the toast or muffins hot. One of the newest electrical comforts is an automatic toaster which only requires the bread to be placed in a centre compartment and the current switched on (says M.G.11. in the “Manchester Guardian”). When the toast is ready it is automatically lifted to the top of the machine, and thus cannot burn while the cook is attending to something else. A real comfort is the convertible service wagon, upon which the tea or other meal can be laid in the kitchen, wheeled into the sitting-room, ami the under leaf of the wagon swung even with the top one, thus making a table surface. In tea equipment one of the latest accessories is a teapot with a removable strainer in the base of the spout. This, of course, makes cleaning very much easier, and the teapot is both artistic and hygienic. There are many people who hate to hurry in the morning, but an elastic breakfast-hour is only made possible in a busy household by the provision of means of independence. There is a very small cooker-radiator, for example, that not only provides warmth, but, placed in an upright •position, will boil a kettle and give space to a spaucepan or frying pan. Underneath, too, is a tiny grill, so that the late breakfasts can cook quite a substantial meal. Every housewife appreciates the comfort of an ample supply of soft water in thte home.' This has been made feasible by means of a portable water softener, which can be fitted in a moment to any water tap in the house. No plumbing or other mechanical aids are necessary, and the device can be attached as easily as a garden hose. This is a real boon in the home, not only for toilet purposes,, but equally for cleaning and washing. Soft water means less soap and therefore better colour.

loor polishing is made quite an easy task by the arrival of an electric polisher with revolving brushes which quickly makes the floor - surface shine without any hard work on the part qf the operator. It is a twin to the vacuum cleaner and equally useful where there are many wood or linoleum-covered floors to be polished. But all modern comforts are not electric. A very up-to-date gas waterheater has a surface with the appearance of white tiles, easy to keep clean and nice to look at. This same device is most economical in use, providing enough hot water for a bath, at the cost of one penny for gas. It takes up very little room, and will give a. hot water supply at both sink and bath.

When furniture is scratched:— Should the scratches penetrate below the surface, it is be'st to let a furniture polisher do the renovating. If it is merely a surface scratch, gently rub it over with pumice-stone .and linseed oil till the surface is smooth again. Then polish.