ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3111, 29 October 1913, Page 63

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Moss. —(1.) Here is a recipe for starching collars and cuffs : —Take Jib .starch, one teaepoonful borax starch glaze, one teaspoenful borax, one teaspoonful me.ted soap, two teaspoonfuls turpentine, one quart cold water. Put all dry ingredients into a deep basin, and mix together. Put in a little cold water to break the starch, and then add the rest. This preparation must stand two hours before being used; but it is really better to make it a day or two before ironing day. If there is any starch left over from a former preparation, it can bs mixed with the now, so no starch is lost. It is convenient to have the starch always ready, for when it has to be used all one has to do is to stir it up with, a spoon, and it is ready for use If more starch is required, the quantities should be doubled. The basin must be kept weh covered, to keep dust from the starch. Put in half a dozen collars or cuffs at a time, and get them thoroughly soaked, then wring as dry as possible. Rub between the hands, as if washing, to work the starch in; then draw, and spread on a clean towel. When all are starched, fold the towel, clap with the hands a few times, then put away for an hour or two. Iron in the usual way, and if a fine gloss is desired, rub with a glossing iron. The collars and cuffs should be dried before starching. (2.) It would not be advisable to scrub varnished walls. I think the only way you could clean them would be to rub them down with a damp cloth, with a little ammonia in the water. (3.) The yoke of a child’s pinafore can be either double or single. The double one is, naturally, the stronger; but you can gather the material on to the single yoke with a little heading if you prefer it. (4.; Xo; the fruit for fruit-pies should not be cooked first. It cooks inside the pic. (5.) If you want light curtains for your rooms, the only thing I can suggest is a deep ' cream spotted muslin. It would not soil nearly so quickly as the white. But if you could have dark curtains there are casement cloths in all sorts of. pretty shades to be had. Any drapery firm with a furnishing department would send you samples. It depends, of course, on whether you want the curtains across the windows in the daytime. Could not something bo done to the chimney? It is so dishearten--1 ig. as you say, to have the rooms all soiled with smoko when one is trying to keep them nice and clean.