INFORMATION EXCHANGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22489, 5 August 1936, Page 6

INFORMATION EXCHANGED

QUERIES AND ANSWERS BT FEMINA To Readers. —It is advisable that questions and answers for this column should bo sent in addressed to " Femina." Nicotine Stainß A method of removing nicotine stains from a woollen garment and gabardine coat is asked for by "Worried." Gleaning a Straw Hat A request for a method of cleaning a white chipped straw hat, discoloured by the sun, has been sent in by M.J. (Hamilton). History ol Crown Jewels "Inquiry" states that in her home is a case containing' replicas of tho Crown jewels. She would like to know something of their history. Polishing Kauri Gum "A visitor from Abroad" writes to say that he has somo pieces of kauri gum in his possession. They are quite large but are in a rough state. He would like to be given directions as to how to polish them and is anxious that tho whole process should bo told him. Use for Gramophono A correspondent will be glad of suggestions as to what use she can make of a gramophone. It is like an ordinary box to look at as it stands on the floor. In reality it is broken, and would need only the works to bo removed if she wished to convert it into somo other article. Gleaning a Macintosh Soap and water arc tho only safe cleaning agents for raincoats. Petrol or any spirit cleanser may perish proofed material. Wash tho soiled parts with lukewarm water and soap. And it would be wise to try tho effect on the under-surfacc first, in case the dye is affected. If tho coat has a silk surface tho neck and cuffs could be sponged lightly with petrol.. Small-sized Body Belt Further directions in answer to a correspondent's inquiry have been sent in for making a body belt (small size). E.H.R. writes: —Take two skeins wheeling wool, one pair size 6 needles. Cast on 68 stitches (loosely). Knit 20 rows, two plain, two purl. Knit 50 rows, plain knitting. Knit 20 rows, two plain, two purl. Cast off loosely. Knit two pieces and join together at the sides. Breaking Nails How to keep the nails on her right hand from continually breaking is the problem troubling a Ngaruawahia correspondent. Thoso on her left hand are in good condition and are easily kept so, but thoso on the right hand are hopeless, never looking at all pleasing. As soon as they start to grow, she states, thev break. Sho will bo glad of advice as to how the should deal with them. A Matter of Cushions Mrs. J.S. (Te Kuiti) asks if a reader can tell her how square fringed silk cushions like those displayed in needlework sections in shows are made. She wonders if they are made from hanks of knitting silk, over a frame. If this is so she would like to know tho size of the frame and tho amount of silk to be used. Unless enough of the latter is used she thinks it would not fluff up sufficiently. Cleaning Tiles " Housewife " (Papatoetoe). Tiles which are heated, such as those round fireplaces, should not be washed much or they will crack more easily. They can be cleaned with turpentine and polished with a soft cloth. Kitchen and 1 bathroom tiles can be washed down with soap and water. Obstinate marks can be removed with vinegar or lemon juice. Stains from milk bottles left on 1 tiled porches can be removed if they aro wiped with paraffin, then washed

with soapy water to which a little vinegar has been added. Tiles should be polished.. Sour milk or linseed oil is a good non-slippery polish for tiled floors. Walls and fireplaces should be polished with a little furniture cream or wax polish now and again. Polish should bo removed from tiles before stain removers are applied. To do this rub with paraffin and a little soap. Polish again when the stains have been removed. Rusted Irons "Ignorant" (Matamata), is very anxious to know how to remove rust from her asbestos irons. She states that they were stored away when she got an electric iron. When, however, sho turned to her asbestos irons on account of the electric iron being out of order, she found that water had mot to them and they were badly rusted. Sho has tried soaking them in kerosene, but that has not removed the rust properly. Sho will be very glad of information as to how the rust marks can bo removed. Marked Oak Table H.W. (Ngaruawahia), writos to say that her oak dining table has white and black marks on it where the dishes stand, and she has to keep the table covered with a cloth to hide them. Her dining chairs also she would like to clean. They are covered with a substitute which is not leather. Sho has tried washing them with soapy water, but is afraid that this is taking the pattern off. Information as to how to treat both the table and the chairs will bo very gratefully received.