WOMAN TO WOMAN

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 252, 21 July 1934, Page 16

WOMAN TO WOMAN

For Mutual Help

All those readers who require help in any matter of household management, cookery, dress, etiquette. or needlework, are invited to -put their problems before us, when every effort will be made to assist them, free of charge, the only condition being that the full name and address is given. This ts not for publication, but for record purposes only. Those requiring a reply by post are asked to send a stamped and, addressed envelope. A prise of half-a-crown is given each week for the best housewifery hint received for this column by "Woman’s World Competition.

The prize of 2/6 goes this week to M. 0., Wellington, who sent the following hint:—

To Save Gas. When boiling a saucepan on the gas instead of putting a lid on top in the usual way, put a kettle or another aluminium saucepan containing water on top instead of the lid. You will be surprised how quickly it heats up, and how great a saving it is in gas. M.C., Wellington.

To Clean Lizard-skin Shoes. First of all the shoes should be brushed with a clean brush to remove any trace of mud. Then sprinkle them with ordinary talcum powder. This should be rubbed well in, and left on for a few days. When the powder has been brushed off the shoes will be beautifully clean. This dry-cleaning method leaves do traces behind it like shoe cream. — “Carlingford,” Palmerston North. Towel Economy.

As soon as terry towels begin to wear thin down the centre, cut in two lengthwise, and join the sides together, and your towel has a new lease of life. If worn into holes at the ends, cut away the worn portions and make a smaller towel, which comes in useful as a hand towel, or a child’s towel. If they are worn too much to be repaired, cut out the best portions and hem for children’s face-washers. Even the thin, worn parts are useful for cleaning gas stoves, etc.—Mrs. 0.5., Lower Hutt

To Extinguish Burning OilDo not throw water on the flames, for It will only spread them by causing the oil to float. The right plan is to throw bn flour, earth, or sand. Any of these will soak up the oil‘and quickly extinguish the fire.—“ Bed Head,” Ashhurst

Another Use for Pegs. For cleaning or scraping saucepans, try an ordinary wooden clothes-peg. Split it, and use the half. It will bo found most efficient, is noiseless, will not damage enamel or any other surface, and will last indefinitely, and costs practically nothing.—Miss S., Otaki.

Crawlers For Baby. Cosy long crawlers for about the house may be simply made from a discarded pair of long stockings, other than silk, by cutting off the feet and then cutting down each stocking from the top to about half-way. Then seam together the opposite cut edges of each stocking. The resultant crawlers will be found to stretch very comfortably on baby without requiring the use of elastic.—Mrs. R.G., Te Horo. ■

When Making Mint Sauce. The best way to chop mint finely for mint sauce is to put it through the mincer, a quick and easy method.—P.R., Takapau. Pillow Case Economy,

When pillowcases show signs of wear, cut off the bottom and bring the sides to the middle and stitch along the bottom again. This gives double wear to the case.—N.E.B., Miramar.

A Request. “Could you please tell me how to soften a tube of Flake White which has become very hard through not having been used for a long time,” writes “Flake White,” Wellington Cut it out of the tube and mix it with water or oil after pulverising it.

Carrot Wine. ; Wash the carrots, but do not peel, ptit into vessel, and just cover with water. Boil till the carrots are soft, then strain into a wooden cask or crock. To each gallon of liquid add 3J pounds of sugar, stir well to dissolve the sugar, throw a cloth over the cask, and leave till fermentation is finished. Add a bottle of brandy or whisky, then cork or bung and leave in a dark place for eight months, after which it may be bottled. —Sent by N.E.O.

A Washing-Day Hint. If. a cup of milk is added to the water when blueing clothes. * they will never be- streaked, as sometimes happens when the water is hard. —H.M., Pahiatua.

A Useful Cement. A reliable method of mending enamel baths or galvanised iron tanks and buckets is to mix one part of soap to four parts of cement.. Add a small quantity of water to moisten the mixture. Apply to the hole fairly thickly, and leave for two days to harden.—L.T., Dannevirke.

Another Fuel Saver. Sift the’ashes from the fire every day, roll the cinders in paper, ami put on top of the kindling wood and coal when laying the fire. This will save all waste.—" Economical,” Masterton.