HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 3802, 12 April 1913, Page 4

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

A SLIPPER HINT. If a piece of broad flat elastic is sewn across the slippers it prevents them slipping off at the heels, and so helps the stockings from being worn into holes. ’ BAKING HINT. When putting bread loaves to rise placo them on the table with a sheet of paper over them, and you will find that they rise much more quickly and in-ore evenly, also they make nicer shaped loaves than when risen in front of the fire. A USEFUL TOILET-COVER HINT. No doubt many of your readers (like myself) have been troubled with the toilet-cover slipping off the table, so I thought they may like a hint to help to remedy that evil. Fix two small brass screws by the side or the small trinket drawers, and make two loops under the toilet-cover. When it is fitted on the table the loops slip over the screws, and so the cover it kept in place.

SECRET OF LAUNDRY GLAZING. The articles to be glazed are first starched in cold ""starch and then ironed damp. Next a piece of flannel is dipped in some French chalk and rubbed smoothly on each article, after which a piece of white curd soap is rubbed over the chalk. Finally the articles are ironed on the right side only, and with a moderately hot iron, and when finished will have all the appearance of- wliite porcelain. FLOUR TESTS. .The first methodof telling flour is good is by its color. A “strawy” tint pervades the wliite in good; had shows a “dead white,” with a “bluey” tint and a lot of white specks. Another method is to try its adhesiveness. Wet a little and knead it between the fingers; if it works soft and sticky it is bad; if stiff and plump, good. If you throw a- pinch of dry flour against the wall or any smooth surface, it will cling if good; if bad, it falls to the ground. TO CLEAN SILVER. With a little care there is no necessity to spend an hour or so cleaning the silver. Make a hot lather with rain-water and good soap, then stir a little powdered borax—a teaspoonful to each pint of water. Put the forks, spoons, etc., into this, and let them remain for an hour, then rinse in clean cold water, wipe very dry, and finish with a soft leather. If you add a few drops of methylated spirits to the latter you will find that the silver will keep its brilliancy much longer.