FOR THE HOMEMAKER’S NOTEBOOK....

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 272, 12 August 1932, Page 6

FOR THE HOMEMAKER’S NOTEBOOK....

Lace curtains will last longer if they are placed in a pillow spp before putting them in the copper. This obviates the risk of tearing them when using the copper stick. Coal fires with ugly tiled surrounds may be transformed with a little sheet brass or copper. The brass is cut to the right shape and “sprung” into the sides, and another piece is made to cover the floor-tiles. « e . • A simple and effective way to keep cut flowers fresh and beautiful when being sent through the post is to push the end of the stalks into pieces of raw potato. Then pack the blooms by your usual method. When curtain books become rusty and stick, instead of gliding easily along with the curtains, they should be cleaned thoroughly in ammonia. Place the curtain hooks in a jar completely covered with cloudy ammonia, and leave them to soak for about threequarters of an hour, stirring them round occasionally. » • » After a time lacquer trays begin to look shabby and to lose their first gloss. This glossy surface will come up again if the. surface Is washed in warm water to which has been added a little lemon juice. Dry the tray with a soft cloth, but do not attempt to polish until the tray has become thoroughly dry out Of doors.

When dusting use a cloth that has been moistened with kerosene and then allowed to dry. When the duster is used it will hold the dust, and not let it fly about in the room. Stick-on labels have an annoying habit of sticking together if they are left for any length of time, and are then frequently thrown away as useless. They will separate quite easily if a warm iron is placed upon them. TO LIGHT THE FIRE Advantages of Gas Poker It is curious how many people are still surprised at the existence of the indispensable gas-poker. As long as the open fire continues, the gas-poker is indeed its natural complement, and a great saver of the dirt that is inevitable where coal is in use, states an English exchange. The gas-poker not only does away with paper and wood altogether ;it sees to it that the coal is set alight as quickly as possible and without the volumes of smoke produced by the usual kindling material. Also it never fails. There is no anxious moment as to whether it is going to burn; no fear that the coal may sink down hopelessly on a smouldering heap of blackness; no necessity to risk the morning paper by using it as a draught-maker.