Household Hints

Grey River Argus, 28 August 1937, Page 10

Household Hints

A brightlv-painted basket with a handle is a handy and attractive way of keeping logs by the fireside. ******* An easy way of handling steel-wool without unpleasantness is to grip it with the half of an old tennis ball. ******* Save the tissue-paper wrappers from apples, oranges, and lemons. They make excellent polishers for mirrors and windows. ****** To curl ginger or brandy snaps roll them round the handle of a spoon after they are baked. ******* When making jellies and blancmanges, add a little extra liquid in winter, otherwise they will be too stiff. In summer use a little Jess than the specified quantity, or they will not set well. ******* Any hard-shelled nuts can be easib cracked if placed'in a warm oven foi a few minutes. A tap will separate the kernels from the shell.

To cast off stitches loosely, use a needle a few sizes larger than those used for the rest of the garment.

Clean the clothes-line by cutting a slit in a large cork and rubbing it briskly along the line. The cork can be kept in the peg basket, and is better than a duster.

Rectangular table mats are coming into favour, and will help in achieving an effect of ordered symmetry, states an exchange. They are usually on that attractive shade of linen called “anticue,” an ivory tone which is less hard than dead white. For trimming, mereb’ an edging of good lace with a little handiwork on the mat itself, and a little more elaboration on the larger mat for the centre of the table. Mats made entirely of filet lace are an alternative suggestion fox- a table of highly-polished mahogany.

For a tear in a frock or a suit, place the garment flat on a table and smear the wrong side of the hole with raw white of egg. Cut a piece of the material or fine linen, a little larger than the tear, and press it with a hot iron to make it adhere. The rent will be almost invisible if it is done before it becomes frayed, and also it will last.