HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3868, 1 May 1928, Page 66

HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS.

As potatoes get old add a little sugar to the water in which they are boiled, iney will taste a-s good as new ones. Use tepid water for damping, and sprmk.e evenly, doing bands, hems and tapes first. If for mangling sprinkle very lightly. Excellent fuel for the copper fire can be made with old newspapers. Leave some to soak in cold water for a day or two, then squeeze the pulp into hard balls and leave them in a warm place to get thoroughly dry. If your hands become rough and red with housework, mLx equal parts of glycerine and lemon juice in a bottle, and rub a few drops into the hands once or twice a day after washing. It will keep them smooth and white, and free from cracks.

To remove laundry-blue from an overblued article steep it for a short time in vinegar and water. Some blues do not respond to this treatment, but a soakin'* iii v.aim water, followed bv a wash with naphtha soap in lukewarm water, is usually effective in such cases. Before washing muslin collars soak them in cold water to remove all stiffening. Iron whilst wet, and on the right side, the way of the thread, unless the fabric is spotted or embroidered, when it must be ironed on both sides, the wrong side last to press out the spots or design.

To blacken shabby brown shoes, a mixture of one-pennyworth of ordinary ammonia and half-a-pint of cold water is effective. Sponge the shoes all over with it, then with a little shoe ink, and leave to dry thoroughly before polishing in the usual way.

After the holidays, one may find that a “ fail-me-never ” serge suit that has rendered faithful service for several seasons is too hopelessly shabby to face the sunlight again. But it can be made more presentable by a vigorous sponging with ammonia, and will be cf great use to wear under a coat for ordinary shopping on wet days. It will save a newer suit or frock, and can very well be worn in winter.