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New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23040, 18 May 1938, Page 6

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BY FKMINA "M.E." (Cambridge) asks if any reader can tell her how to remove black ink spots from a wine-coloured carpet. Colouring a Fireplace "Housewife" (Mount Roskill) would like to colour a lounge room fireplace, which lias been kept white up to the present. She would be grateful if anybody could tell her liow to colour it dark grey. Removing a Pattern "Margot" (Kerepeehi) writes to ask how to remove the coloured pattern from a bedspread. She has tried boiling the article in .strong soda water, but much of the pattern still remains. Cleaning Xylonite "Judy" (Remuera). Methylated spirits or eau de Cologne will often remove stains from xylonite. Dampen a soft flannel with one or other of the liquids, and rub gently until the stains disappear. Mildew on Hangings Another hint from "M.H." I'or valuable, bright-coloured articles use methylated spirits mixed with a little soap "or buttermilk. Hub the marks gently until they fade, then sponge with a damp cloth and dry, away from the sun. The marks could also be rubbed with salt and lemon juice and dried in the sun. Mildew on Bookbindings "M.H." sends three remedies: —(1) Dissolve } oz. of isinglass in one quart of water and apply to covers. Dry completely, and paint with loz. of Canadian balsam dissolved in 2oz. of turpentine. (2) Dissolve a few drops of oil of cedar-or oil of cloves in one pint of methylated spirits and paint bindings. (3) Paint with a solution of ioz. of white wax in one pint of turpentine. All three solutions become waterproof and arc practically colourRenovating Rosewood "A.8.M." (Hamilton). If the table is a good one and very shabby, you would be wise to have an expert repolish it, states a reader. First, you might try the following treatment: — "Wipe the surface with a soft cloth wrung out in lukewarm, soapy water then with a cloth wrung out in clear tepfd water. Dry with a clean, soft. cloth, then apply sparingly to the surface equal parts of olive oil and vinegar. Treat only a. small section-at a time, and rub the mixture well into tho wood with a circular motion. I'nish by polishing with a soft, dry cloth. Laundering Woollens In answer to a query from "G.E.C." as to how to launder hand-knitted wollens to prevent them from shrinking, "T.N.G." says that woollen articles, whether hand-knitted, crocheted or of woollen material, should be washed in absolutely cold water. Any good soap or soap Hakes, which do not contain soda, may be used for laundering, or soft soap and borax in the proportion of twice as much soft soap as borax. Dissolve flakes, soft soap and borax, or shredded soap in boiling water, then stir into a tubful of cold water. "When tho water is quite cold, immerse tho woollens. Leave soaking, moving round in the water from time to time, then squeeze and douche thoroughly until articles are quite clean. "Rinse in several lots of clear cold water, then squeeze on a board to release as much water as possible, but do not wring or stretch. Roll up in a dry towel, then spread out in correct size and shape- of garment on a dry towel lying on tho grass, to dry.