HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 65

HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS.

A little borax dissolved in the water in which crepe de chine is washed will act as a rapid cleanser. Some borax should also be added to the rinsing water. In summer butter needs very careful consideration. It should be kept in a __.stone or earthenware dish standing in fresh water, and, if possible, on a stone floor or slab. . A little cream rubbed into new black kid gloves will prevent the dye from coming off.- It also gives them a gloss and makes them wear longer. Florence oil is a splendid medium for polishing various shells. First of all washed in warm water, then rubbed well with this oil, they take on a brilliant finish. Leather upholstery, hide bags, and portmanteaux need oil. Rub well in after the leather has been dusted. A mixture of linseed oil and beeswax will restore the colour of neglected leather. Never use small coal on a fire without damping it, as most of it will fall through into the' ashpan. If damped it will cake into a hard lump and will last well. Stoves with wicks can be taken to pieces so easily that at least every three months all pipes, containers, screws, and other parts should be examined. Paint stains may be removed from cloth, even when dry, by first rubbing with a little olive oil, then soaking the places with a solution of equal parts of spirits of ammonia and turpentine, and washing with soap and water. The average housewife seems to have no realisation of the wonderful value of a little oil. Its occasional use not only prevents rust and deterioration, but in many cases also acts as a cleansing agent. ’ . Books that have covers bound in canvas or linen quickly get dirty. They may be restored by dipping a clean duster in hot water, wringing tightly, and then rubbing the book cover briskly all over. Dry at once with another rubber.

When considering the questipn of baths, the housewife may not realise that the independent roll brim bath is open to criticism because it is difficult to clean underneath it satisfactorily if close to the wall. It is ideal if fixed clear of the walls in the middle of the bathroom.

A mixture of threepennyworth of mercury and onepennyworth of prepared chalk will restore plated cruet stands and other articles when the silver is worn off. Mix into a- paste with warm water, and with a small piece of washleather rub the tarnished article until it is bright. All the newest colourings for this season are softer and more subtle; the designs floral and realistic, rather than conventional. And those influenced by, or replicas of, the Early English, Early Victorian, and Louis XVI eras will prove most popular. Reaction sure and welcome to many Of us without doubt. Before joining pieces of broken china together, they must be absolutely clean. The slightest trace of grease or the presence of gritty dirt will probably ruin the work. Quite the best adhesive is Canada balsam. It makes a colourless join winch is invisible, but it takes a long time to dry and 4s fairly expensive. Another good adhesive is the flake white, sold in collapsible tubes by artists’ colourmen. This also makes.an invisible join and takes some time to dry, but it is cheap. Black cloth jthat shows signs of wear can be restored to almost its original freshness by scrubbing with a soft brush dipped in the water in which ivy leaves have been boiled until they are soft. An old saucepan should be used for this purpose, as the liquid stains, and this method is not to be recommended if there are any cuts or scratches on the hands. After scrubbing, the material should be rubbed with a dark, dry cloth and hung out to dry.