THE CARE OF ALUMINIUM.

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 45, 16 November 1929, Page 22

THE CARE OF ALUMINIUM.

The discovery of aluminium was one of science’s most useful and valued contributions to the home. There is hardly a house in the civilised world which cannot boast of at least one aluminium cooking utensil. . • , *, Aluminium is recognised as the nearest approach to an ideal metal for general culinary ware on account of its lightness, hard-wearing' properties and malleability. There is no fear of rust or corrosion, chipping, or any of the other disadvantages attached to the use of iron, tin or enamel vessels. The question of cleaning aluminium is a most important one, and of considerable interest to the housewife who desires to see her kitchen shelves gleam bright with polished metal. Unfortunately aluminium soon dulls after a short usage. This is due to the oxidation of the metal and the formation of a thin film of aluminium oxide on the surface of the vessel. This coating prevents the metal from being attacked by acid from juices, and serves, therefore, a definite hygienic purpose; unfortunately, however, it is unsightly and its removal is sometimes considered necessary by the exacting housewife.

One of the most satisfactory methods of cleaning aluminium ware is by means of, silver or fine sand. When the kitchen utensils are washed the metal should be rubbed -with a damp cloth holding a little sand. Very little work will make the metal bright and clean. If this operation is repeated two or three times a week then the metal will be in excellent condition It is not advisable to use new or well-cleaned aluminium saucepans or coppers for boiling jams, as the acid juices corrode the unprotected metal and coat the sides with a greyish film of insoluble metallic salts. This objectionable, though perfectly harmless film, may be successfully removed by boiling some strong soda water in the vessel and then rubbing the sides with silver sand.

Ordinary soap is not much use as a means of cleaning aluminium, but many people are not aware of this fact and scrub pots and pans with hot soap and water without producing any effect. Fullers earth may be substituted for sand if the latter is unobtainable. It should be remembered that only the finest sand must be used, otherwise the metal will become disfigured with scratches.

Tapestry chairs and sofas w-ill look better if cleaned occasionally with bran, rubbed on with a flannel. A little methylated spirit added to the rinsing water will make white silk equal to new. Working hard in one of the Paris beauty parlours is Lina Cavalieri, aeknowled to be the greatest dark beauty of her epoch (writes a London correspondent). Thirty years ago she was famous. To-day her long neck, her teeth and smile are unchanged, aud her figure is that of a girl. She spends a tremendous time each day on keeping herself beautiful —every finger-nail Is moulded, every eyelash stroked. And she spends hours over exercises, unlike the English beauties, who seem to be philosophical or indolent and just let, their beauty ripen or fade as it will. ' SYD AL IS NOT A CURE-ALL! Syclal is intended to do one thing, and to do it well. But because that thing is of vital importance, it scores! It makes the skin clean—really clean. It kills injurious germs and gives Nature a free field to effect a cure of many skin troubles. Diluted with a little milk it is excellent for sunburn. —Advt.