FOR THE HOME-MAKER’S NOTEBOOK

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 301, 15 September 1933, Page 4

FOR THE HOME-MAKER’S NOTEBOOK

Stains on enamel saucepans may be removed by rubbing with half a lemon sprinkled with salt. , » « « $ *

Zinc can be cleaned by washing in warm soapy water, drying, and rubbing thoroughly with a cloth dipped in turpentine or paraffin. $ * * * *

Wipe windows after cleaning with a faint smear of glycerine. This is good for bathrooms or kitchens, where windows, from steam of the bath or from cooking become dull aud smeary.

Glycerine will remove tea-stains on unwashable fabrics. Rub in glycerine, and allow' to stand overnight. Next day sponge with petrol. Remember that petrol is highly inflammable.

Furniture .should never be rubbed with polish when it is dirty. First, wash in warm water and a little yinegar. Do not use too much water, however. Beeswax with turpentine makes an excellent polish for oak. Walnut looks well if rubbed occasionally with a paraffin rag and then polished. Mahogany is improved if the surface is cleansed with cold tea previous to polishing.

Steel fenders, kerbs or fire-irons can be kept clean without the usual drudgery with the help of the ashes in the grate. Dip a cloth soaked in paraffin in some of the very fine ash and rub the steel with this. Then polish with a dry duster, and the steel will keep bright for a long time.

Enamel saucepans which are discoloured may be cleaned by filling with water to which one tablespoon of powdered borax has been added, and allowing to boil for some time. Then pour off the water aud rub any marks still remaining with damp salt.

Blankets which are new should be soaked for half an hour in water to which has been added one pound of bicarbonate of soda. Put them through a wringer. All the dressing will eome out, and they may then be washed in the usual way. - # 4 « «

Exhausted torch, and pocket lamp batteries may be given new life by standing them in a hot oven until they have been well warmed through. Care must be taken that the sealing bitumen on top of the cells is not boiled by excessive heat.