KITCHEN ARTICLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22629, 18 January 1937, Page 2

KITCHEN ARTICLES

BRUSHES AND CLOTHS Care of household tools is an essential part of housewifery. New brushes of all kinds will last twice as long if they are soaked in cold water for some hours and hung up to dry in the air before being used. Brushes should sometimes be washed in ammonia and water, which removes all dirt and grease. Dip the bristles in only and leave for a time, then rinse in salt and water and put out to dry. Brush bristles can be stiffened by soaking in a strong solution of alum and water. Use two handfuls of alum to a pint of boiling water, but leave to cool before immersing the brush.

New teacloths should be soaked in hot water containing a little soda and vinegar before use. Rinse in warm water. Teacloths should be washed daily, being soaked for an hour in hot soda water first, before washing in hot, soapy water. Teacloths can be kept a good colour if peroxide is put in the rinsing water occasionally. Leave to soak in this for a time. Wash-leathers should be washed now and again in warm, soapy water containing a little borax aijd a few drops of ammonia. Rinse in warm water with a little olive oil in it. Mops and dusters should be washed regularly in hot water containing plenty of soap and some borax. Sponges can be cleaned by soaking in hot water and vinegar. New clothes pegs and lines should be boiled when new, and occasionally afterward, to clean and strengthen them.