FOR THE HOME-MAKER’S NOTEBOOK

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 16, 13 October 1933, Page 4

FOR THE HOME-MAKER’S NOTEBOOK

Looking-glasses which are tarnished will become lustrous again if rubbed over with a blue-bag and polish with soft cloth qr leather.

When you invite friends to bridge it is annoying to find your packs of cards used and soiled looking. Used packs can be made to look fresh by rubbing each card with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of camphor.

Valuable books that are seldom used are sometimes damaged by silver-fish or borers. This can be prevented by dusting the books occasionally with powdered alum and white pepper.

Walls coloured with washable paint, or distemper, should be cleaned in this way: Dust thoroughly with a soft duster tied over a broom; then wash with an old sponge, or .piece of chamois leather, and warm soapy water. Wring out. the sponge or leather before using, taking care not to make the walls too wet. Dry immediately by patting the surface with a clean, soft cloth. Washable wallpapers may also be cleaned by this method.

The carpet sweeper is a splendid stand-by for daily use. It is just the thing for taking up surface dust, cottons, bits of paper, and other debris, and by placing them in the pan causes little dust disturbance. It keeps the carpets looking respectable until you can give them the thorough weekly cleaning. When you put your sweeper away tilt it so that the weight does not rest on the bristles of the brush, or they will be spoilt. Better still, bang the sweeper by means of a screweye in the top of the handle.

If you use oil on your floors, a polishing mop is needed. Buy a full mop made of durable cotton strands with a well-padded bumper that protects your furniture. Keep this mop for oil floors only and do not use it on waxed floors. When it needs oiling, place in a dish in which you have first put a few drops of good floor oil. For the hardwood floor ft hair broom should remove as much dust as possible before the dusting and polishing begin. It is well to buy a' hair broom of best quality bristles. Wash if occasionally in lukewarm water and white soap. Always hang up a hair broom.

Pails, cleaning utensils, etc., which have sprung a leak can bo mended very simply with putty. Thoroughly clean the utensil any spread a little putty both inside and outside over the hole, allowing it to dry: thoroughly. This method, of course, cannot be utilised for cooking utensils, kettles, etc., subjected to strong direct heat.

The smallest break in the wire gauze of doors or window screens makes them ineffective for keeping flies or mosquitoes out. To repair the damage take a square of wire gauze larger than the. bole. Ravel out the wire on the four sides for half an inch. Bend the fringed ends at right angles and push through the gauze right round the hole. Press the ends flat. The patch has the appearance of a neat darn when finished.