GENERAL HINTS

Evening Star, Issue 21580, 28 November 1933, Page 2

GENERAL HINTS

Glass fragments can be quickly picked up after a breakage if a wet blanket or some other material of a soft texture is thrown over the pieces and gently pressed until the glass adheres.

Tableware of the coloured and nonfragile variety should not be washed in soda, but in warm soapy water. If there are any slight stains on the surface rub lightly with damp salt.

American cloth, if white, can be used to line the shelves and walls of dark cupboards. It will lighten them considerably. if placed on the last step of a dark cellar staircase it will make the descent easier.

Baths that have become stained by iron or hard water marks should be first dried carefully, then well scrubbed with ordinary acetic acid (not glacial) and a good scouring powder. Apply by means of a new dish mop or a cloth wrapped round a stick, to keep the hands Irom the acid. Rinse very thoroughly afterwards.

To keep oak floors light and in good condition great care should be taken not to use an unsuitable preparation for cleaning purposes. Some cleaning preparations act as a trap for dust and dirt, and consequently the surface ol the oak becomes dark. If the floor has become dark it should he washed thoroughly with soap and water to get rid of the dirt which has become embedded in the polish, and then polished regularly with a good polish guaranteed not to darken the oak. Not only will this treatment keep the floor its original colour, but frequent polishing of the parts subjected to the most wear will prevent the surface from showing signs of hard wear.

Stone steps cleaned with whitening usually result in white footprints in the hall in wet weather. This can be avoided by adding a little made starch to the water used for washing the steps.

Pottery vases that are used for holding water frequently become porous after a time. To prevent the water from percolating through, paint the outer surface of the lower part of the vases with two coats of enamel.

Paintwork in doors, gates, and windows which has blistered in the sun should be treated as follows: —Scrape off the whole coat, removing with hot soda water if necessary. Give a coat of priming paint, which sinks well in and makes a good surface, then two coats of Hat paint. Leave until hard, sandpaper, and give a final coat of hard-gloss paint, which withstands a good deal of sunshine.

Small rugs which- have become laded seem to retain a dusty appearance however much care is taken when they are cleaned, but they will be much improved by the following treatment:—-An excellent way to restore the faded colours almost to their original appearance is to treat them with a solution of common salt and ox-gall. Dissolve one tablcspoonful of common salt in a bucket of hot. water, and add half a pint of ox-gall Brush the rugs thoroughly before rubbing with this solution. After the treatment the carpet or rug will be freshened remarkably, and dirty and greasy marks will have disappeared.