FOR THE HOMEMAKER’S NOTEBOOK...

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 29, 28 October 1932, Page 6

FOR THE HOMEMAKER’S NOTEBOOK...

Indian rugs and carpets should never be shaken, but should be simply brushed with a hard bast broom.

Glassware of the ornamental, type will have added lustre if it. is polished with a clean duster that has beeu soaked iu paraffin and then dried. This will also 'discourage flies.

Brooms aud brushes will not mark the furniture and. paintwork if a piece of rubber beading is fixed at the ends above the bristle. Nails with rounded heads should be used, as they will not cut the rubber.

To paint stained ceilings, take unslaked while lime, dilute with alcohol, and paint the spots with it. When Hie spots are dry, which will be soon, since the alcohol evaporates aud the lime forms a sort, of insulating layer, one can proceed, to paint with size colour.

To the majority of people who have their houses redecorated during the summer months I he continual smell of paint, is a great trial. Left to itself the smell of new paint, takes many weeks to wear off, but. if a bucket of cold water containing a chopped onion is placed in each redecorated room, the smell will be quickly absorbed.

The best way to freshen distempered walls and ceilings is by the application of a new coat of distemper, since it is inexpensive and cau be put on in only an hour or so. But. if one is extremely careful and patient, it is possible to clean calcimine in the same manner us wall paper, using the cooked dough-cleaner above mentioned. If there are only small soiled spots, a “soap” eraser usually will remove these.

Washable wall paper often is discoloured, and its fresh glossy surface dulled iu the very first washing it receives. It will not stand hard scrubbing or hot water or harsh soaps or washing powder. Only the mildest soap should be used, and the cake should not be rubbed over the wall. Make a suds with it, using lukewarm water, and wash the wall gently and dry at once with a soft cloth. Do only a small portion of the wall at a time.

Carbon paper can be made to last twice as long if the inked side is held before the fire until the surface looks new again. Creases can also be removed if the paper is carefully stretched while it'is held before a tire.

Finger plates cut from mirrors are quite as attractive and more practical than those made of glass; As the latter are transparent, it is not always easy to see where they are, while the'former not only reflect the fingers, but catch odd lights in the room in a way which makes them very decorative.

■ Cretoune loose covers ou chairs and settees usually get quickly soiled on the arms while the remainder of the covers are still clean. Rub the arms with a clean rag soaked in special cleaning turpentine, and the dirt will be immediately removed. Another wrinkle is to make extra detachable arm-pieces of the same material when first running up the covers. These, secured by press studs, can be clipped ou over the chair arms, being easily removed for washing as often as necessary,