INFORMATION EXCHANGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23160, 5 October 1938, Page 7

INFORMATION EXCHANGED

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BY FEMINA "A Reader" (Takapuna) would like to know how to use corn meal. She wonders* if it is,used as flour in cakes and whether it requires much cooking. I Mock Raspberry Jam "E.Sr (Tuakau) would like a recipe for mock raspberry jam. made with raspberry jam and apple. Removing Tar Stains "Worried" (Te Puke) would like to know how to remove tar stains from linoleum, floorboards and from tin enamel tray on the gas ptovc. She has tried all ordinary methods without result. Grease Marks on Satin Put a fair layer of "fuller's earth over the marks. On top of this place a sheet of blotting paper and over the paper place a very hot iron and press for a minute or two. On removing the paper and powder, the stains should have disappeared. Another method is to make a paste of benzine and magnesia powder, spread over the marks and leave till dry. Then brush off. Tea Stains on Velvet "M.H." has forwarded the following method: —A good remover for this stain is dichlorhydrine, with which the marks should be gently rubbed with a little of the liquid on a cloth. Another good remover is glycerine mixed with half its bulk in water. Damp the stains, leave a little while, then rub gently with a cloth. If no marks remain, sponge with some tepid water or a little methylated spirits. If a mark still shows, however, before sponging clean "rub gently with a weak solution of lead acetate in water (a teaspoon of the former to a cup of the latter). If the velvet looks rough in the pile after treatment, hold the back or,"wrong" side.of the marks over the steam from a boiling kettle of water. Then fold up, pile, side in, and leave an hour or so. . . Making Shoes Last A reader asks if varnishing the soles of children's shoes will make them last longer. A correspondent who has tried the method states that applications of copal varnish (obtainable from oil and colour merchants) will not only prolong the life of leather soles, but will make them waterproof. Leather must be dry and clean before the varnish "is applied. Shoes should be worn for a few days before the first coat is given, to wear off the smooth surface so that varnish will be absorbed. Let the varnish soak-in thoroughly, then apply a second coat. Continue with applications until the leather will absorb no more varnish. The shoes m&y be worn after the first coat of varnish has dried, subsequent coats to be applied every week or two until the leather is saturated. When children wear their shoes for a long time there is the' danger that their feet will outgrow the shoes, causing foot troubles, such as cramped toes and enlarged big toe joint, through the toes being pushed back. Make sure that such is not the case. Coffee Stains To remove coffee stains from a green woollen frock rinse it in warm water as soon' as the accident occurs. It is seldom that the stain remains if treated at once. It is difficult, however, to remove the mark once it has dried. If the frock is a good one send it to a reliable firm of dry cleaners. If it must be cleaned at home, either of the following methods of removing coffee stains should bo tested first on

an underseam or Bpare piece of material, as they might affect the colour:—(1) Moistoa the stains, apply spirits of ammqnia, then quickly rinso spot thoroughly. (2) Dampen the stains, hold material taut over a basin, then pour warm water through from about a foot above basin. i Moths in Carpets To drive moths out of a carpet 1 it is a good plan if you have a vacuum cleaner, to clean the carpet with it thoroughly on both sides, then take the carpet outside, put it over the line, beat it well, and leave in the sun and wind for some time. Wash the floor, adding some disinfectant to the water, before laying the carpet again. Or, after washing, go over the floor with a cloth wrung out in benzine. Great caution must be exercised if benzine is used, owing to its high inflammability. On no account allow any naked light in the room until every trace of spirit odour has disappeared. If plenty of light and air is allowed into rooms daily, and if carpets are kept thoroughly clean, moths should not attack them. •> ." Carpets badly infested with moths should bo sent to a reliable firm of fumigators for treatment.