A Housewife’s Diary

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 26 August 1939, Page 14

A Housewife’s Diary

Hints About The Home Trv tlcanine aluminium articles with a little vinegar mixed with wood ashfcs. After polishing brass taps go over with a slightly oiled cloth and the taps will remain bright for a long time. A good way to clean cane seats of chairs, etc., is to brush them over with oil of turpentine. To remove ink on carpet place a cloth under stained part, then dean with a lag damped with methylated spirit. Soiled hands, sometimes difficult to get clean, should be well soaped and then wood ashes rubbed on them. If a pinch of salt is mixed with the starch, the iron will never be liable to stick when clothes are being pressed. Driving Nails. Before attempting to drive a nail into hard wood, smear it with soap. The job will be easier and wood not so likely Cleaning Lamp Globes. Sometimes lamp globes become yellowish. Restore to original freshness by covering with a paste of bicarbonate of soda; leave paste on for some hours, then wash off with warm water. Washing Furniture. Soapy water may do more harm than good when washing furniture but adding a little turpenfine and ammonia to lh» water is usually quite safe and an effective cleanser. Non Slip Cushnns. Head-rest cushions on armchairs will rest securely in position if you make these special non-slip covers. Make them in the usual way. but on one sid?, leave a long end, so Lhal w hen the two sides of a cushion cover are sewn up, there is a piece to fling over the top of the chair and hang down the back. Give lliis flap a two-inch hem. and into this slip i metal curtain rod which will weights it dour and keep the cushion n place. Safety-First Firescreens. Live coals tumbling from a fire-grate of the well type make an untidy hearth and there is always the chance that one may roll far enough to singe the hearth rug, and so start a fire. A neat little safety fire guard is designed to stand before a sunk fire, and is modelled with five quaint gnomes supporting the bar. It is made in bright metal to add an extra touch of cheerfulness to a fireside. Bedroom “Frills.” Adding “frills'' to a bedroom at small expense is possible with a few yards of material. Bedhead “drapes” give a modernising touch to a room and do not require elaborate fittings. One curtain can fall straight down the wall at the hack of the head from picture rail level. Side hangings can be arranged from movable rods fixed to hinged brackets jso that they can be set at any angle, or I flat against the wall when not w anted.