HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 29 March 1930, Page 10

HOUSEHOLD HINTS

THINGS USEFUL TO KNOW

I NEW CASSEROLES A new casserole should be rubbed outside wtih a raw onion before it is used. This will prevent the vessel "sweating" and lessen the contraction which often causes the pot to crack when heated. After rubbing, put the 1 casserole in a pan of cold water and i very gradually bring it to boiling point ! and ailow the water to cool before tak- ! nig out the casserole. 1 ; BUYING A PRAM When buying a pram, be sure to get 1 one that is big enough for baby to lie • flat in comfort. See that the pram has , good springs.-A young child's spine is very delicate, and unless the pram is well hung on good springs there will bo constant bumping that will not do baby any good. WHEN MAKING BUTTONHOLES When making a sot of buttonholes it is not easy to place them evenly. To enable you to do so, cut a strip of white paper to match tho fold,of the garment where the buttonholes are to bo made. Fold the paper evenly into as many creases as buttonholes required. Then unfold tho paper and make a small hole in.the centre of each crease. Pin the paper to the garment and make a pencil mark through each hole where the buttonholes are to be out. PASTRY-MAKING HINTS In making flaky or puff pastry be careful that the fold is always, on the same side. If it is not the pastry will rise in an uneven manner. If the oven is not hot enough the pastry will not rise at all. Always rub in fat with tips of fingers, and as quickly and lightly as possible. Make pastry in the coldest place you can find. A marble'or slate pastry-board is When pastry is cooked do not put it in a cold place. Pastry taken from the oven to a cold larder will he tough.'.,, MAKE YOUR OWN BATH SALTS Sweet-scented bath salts can bo made at home by thoroughly mixing a dessertspoonful of oil of lavender, oil of verbena, or oil of geranium into a pound of sodium carbonate (small crystals). Colouring can be added if de> sired. Cochineal will give a pink shade, very strong epld tea will give a creamy tint. Only a very small quantity of colouring matter should be used. Tho secret lies in thorough mixing. All bath salts should be stored in well-stoppered

jars. GENERAL A damp cloth dipped in common salt will remove inkstains from a kitchen table. To prevent lamps smoking soak the wick in strong vinegar and dry it before using. The flame will then burn clear and bright.

Lemon juice squeezed on to rice when the latter is being boiled will whiten it and separate it. When boiling a ham leave it in the water in which it lias been boiled until it is quite cold. This will make it juicy and tender. A In nip of soda dissolved in the water when rinsing clothes will prevent any blue stain remaining on the garments. To stone raisins quickly, smear the fingertips with margarine. Small pieces of kid or washleather sewn underneath big buttons prevent them from being torn out and holes being made in the garment. A little cornflour added to table salt will prevent it becoming lumpy. To polish amber, rub it with whitening moistened with water, and lastly with a lit lie olive oil laid on with a piece of Manuel. When boiling beetroots, add a pinch of bicarbonate of soda, to Ihe water, and they will retain their rich colour. Pieces of velveteen should be saved and used as polishing cloths. Silver, plate, etc., can be rubbed with them quite as thoroughly as with a chamois leather.