THE HOUSEKEEPER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20080, 18 October 1928, Page 9

THE HOUSEKEEPER.

PASTED OILCLOTH.

HINTS FOR THE KITCHEN. Kitchen tables and cupboard shelves may be. made clean, neat and even decorative with only a little time and expense. Oilcloth supplies the means, but the secret lies in the method in which tho oilcloth is used, states an exchange. It must be pasted on. If it is pasted on a kitchen table, the surface is as smooth and firm as a porcelain top, and it is just as easily cleaned, which is true also of cupboard shelves. Cooking ingredients spilled on them can bo washed up very (jiiickly without the laborious task of taking everything off and putting on clean papers. Moreover, decorative effects may bp gained with little effort. Sufficient paste for a table top approximately 2ft. by 3ft. may be made in tho following way: Stir cupful of flour with 2 cupful of cold water until there is a smooth batter. Add this to If cupfuls of boiling water, constantly stirring to prevent lumps. Stir vigorously while tho paste boils for about one minute. When cold it is ready for use.

Iq covering a kitchen table the oilcloth should first be cut the propei size, allowing enough- of it to reach about two inches under the sides and ends of tho table-top. With a small rag, apply the paste on the back of thi» oilcloth, being careful to rub it on evenly, allowing no gobs of paste on any one spot. Then flap the whole on the table, adjusting the corners to their proper places. Begin smoothing tho oilcloth with a dry cloth, always rubbing from the centre to tho edges, thus forcing air bubbles out and making a nice smoo'.h job. After the material is firmly in its place on tho surface of tho table, the edges should be carefully pasted, the remaining oilcloth being finally smoothed down underneath tho top of the table. The paste will need a little assistance at the corners. Here bulkiness can be eliminated by cutting a square piece out of the extreme corners, then folding tho ends.reatly and clinching tho wholo fold by a lack driven upward into the wood of the table top. The same method may be used in pasting oilcloth on the cupboard shelves. This makes a decided improvement, both in appearance and durability, over the old paper with .its fancy lacy edges, easily torn and discoloured. Dishes will not stick to this oilcloth if it is lightly washed with a scouring powder after it is pasted on.

A lovely decorative effect on cupboard shelves was obtained by one woman in the following way: The surface of the shelves was covered with plain white oilcloth. From figured oilcloth strips were then cut the exact width of the thickness of the shelves. The strips were cut in such a way that a little bine line ran along the centre. They were then pasted on to the front edqe of the cupboard shelves, which gave a very trim and artistic effect and one which need not bo disturbed for several years. The appearance was enhanced when blue containers were put in place and the glass doors closed.

CHAIR COVE "£. Since we have been allowed to use a Chippendale chair with a Jacobean, and possibly with a Georgian one, without people condemning our taste, we have come to the conclusion that cretonne or chintz covers may also bo varied ( without striking a false note. True, it 'is often difficult to reconcile a-variety of pattern in the same room, but there are still lvays of achieving variety without offending aesthetic eyes. Once we have decided upon the floral motif for covers and curtains, we have endless possibilities open to us. A chair covered with a cotton that is a mass of tulips of different hues will not quarrel with one that is devoted to daffodils, nor with another flaunting rhododendron blooms, provided that in each case tho ground be similarly chosen, say, in beige, grey or even black. This is an important proviso, for otherwise tho danger of patchiness creeps in. Another say of creating a diversion is by means of appliques of different types, cut from aretonnes or other printed fabrics, and sewn on to covers of the same material, say. purple or dull blue repp. Keeping the seat and the chair back the greatest wear comes) quite plain, the decoration will be confined to the sides and frills. One chair might be decorated with bird appliques; a settee with tree branches; other chairs with applo and almond blossoms, or vino and cherry fruits and their foliage. Harlequin sets, in which each chair is covered in a different colour, have their charms ns well as their practical side. For they permit of a single cover being renewed if necessary—a great economy.

DANGEROUS DAYS. These are dangerous days for those unfortunate pictures which, in some homes, will fall victims to the zeal of the springcleaner.

Don't wash the faces of oil-paintings. Instead, wipe the surface lightly with a sponge wrung out tightly, first in tepid, scapy water (using only a mild toilet soap), and afterwards in clean water. Polish finally with soft silk. A slice of raw potato rubbed lightly over the surface is also a useful and safe cleaner of oil paintings. After cleaning, the picture should be placed in a mild temperatureuncovered.

Don't attempt to remove marks from water-colours and prints. Just brush lightly, with clean feathers or silk, any dust collected under the glass, and rub with soft indiarubber any surface-soil from the margin. Stains and other blemishes must bo treated by the expert only.

Don't wash gilt frames. The slightest touch of dampness, removing 1 lio "toning'' which protects it, will expose the gil' itself. Therefore it is permissible only to brush lightly, with a small, soft brush, the dust'from the frame and its carving. If. however, it is decided to risk the toning, use a second brush slightly dampened with water or gin. Exposed gilt may be retoned, or elsa thinly coated with a weak solution of size (in water).

Don't, above all. attempt renovations. When pictures or prints need repairing or lestoring, do let (ho expert do tlio doctoring.

PRESSING SUITS. When pressing suits and dresses, instead of using the damp muslin, use two thicknesses of clean smooth newspaper. J,ay 011 the garment and sprinkle cold water on the pappr, and iron in the usual way. The steam from the damping goes through the paper and it is impossible to get creases; it is also much quicker and saves fuel and time. The garment so treated is free from shine, and looks beautiful. —Mrs. J. B. (Toowong). SEWING ON CURTAIN RINGS. To sew curtain rings on casement curtains when machining the top hem,' mark the intervals for the rings ajong 1 10 tacked hem with a pencil. When niac 1111 ing J tho hem take a ring and a sms' slip of tape about U inches long, • 1 fold this through the rHl ffr al " j I the two ends under the hem J j neneil mark Continue the marl •<- : * >'«>■ i"»* «" d J secure. %