HINTS, AND SUGGESTIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4039, 11 August 1931, Page 59

HINTS, AND SUGGESTIONS.

The cold weather is not the best of times in which to indulge in a shampoo, for there is always the danger of catching cold through going out too soon afterwards. There are times, however, when we are compelled to take that risk; for instance, when we receive an invitation from the “ most-important person-of-all ” at the very last minute. If you are ever in this predicament, try wringing out some clean towels in boiling water, and thoroughly rubbing the head with them. When you are satisfied that your head has had enough of this treatment, dry your hair by means of hot dry towels, and finish off by rubbing a little spirit at the back of the head just below the ears. * * ¥ During the winter months most of us go out to more functions than at any other time of the year, and in the matter of footwear w.e rather favour the satin shoe, because fashion favours it, too. These, however, come in for some very rough use, especially at dances, as you no doubt know to your cost, and perhaps after Wearing them once or twice they are worn so badly that they are only then fit-for use as indoor slippers. Those worn places can be hidden successfully by working over them with silk embroidery, or else by working medallions in small beads.

There are, if the truth is only known, many hundreds of cases where empty cotton reels are thrown in the fire as being of little or no use at all. It is true that they give one the opinion that they are useless, but by padding one with material and finally covering it with a small piece of velvet, it will make an excellent door-stop, if a long brass-headed nail is driven through the centre of it into the floor. Then, again, in most homes, hooks on which things are hung become rusty in time, and in consequence things hung on them get rust-marked. This can be prevented if, instead, of using hooks, ordinary nails are used, and cotton reels slipped on to them.

An extraordinary number of household accidents happen every year, and although many of these may be traced to carelessness, there are women who do extremely foolish things with unfailing regularity. Despite the cautions and warnings which have been issued, it is not at all unusual to find a naked light burning in the immediate neighbourhood of a garment which is being cleaned with petrol. The danger of such a proceeding seems obvious. Poisons, too, must be sold in particular bottles which indicate that 4 the contents are dangerous; but in the privacy of their own homes many people will cheerfully put such liquids into any kind of vessels and will allow the containers to retain innocent labels. Those who are guilty of doing this will say that they know what the thing holds, and so they may; but there may be a momentary absentmindedness or the bottle may be used by someone who does not know. Brushes, dustpans, and even soap are continually left Ju dark corners in some houses; and they may be so left a hundred times without causing an accident. But when someone does get tripped up and injured, it is rather late to be sorry. Other dangerous tricks are those of airing highly inflammable materials in front of open grates, and of pouring oil on to fires which are hard to get going. A certain amount of care is used, perhaps; but this sort of thing has led to people being seriously burnt and to the destroying of much property.

There are a dozen similar little habits, risky things which women do almost every day, and which may be done once too often for safety. Those who laugh at the danger should bear in mind that they may not always be immune from the consequences of their folly.

Have you ever wondered how the graceful effects of floral decorations at the big flower shows are obtained ? How do the competitors manage to make the three or four choice blooms in a vase stand exactly as they ought ? There must be some secret in it, for other people often find a veYy few flowers more difficult to arrange than a whole armful—they give no support to each other. But if you give a quick glance into some of the vases at the next flower show you attend you will ' learn the secret. You will find sin or Gin lengths of rushes, a number in each vase well below the surface of the water. These hold the stems of the few exquisits roses or sweet peas just as the exhibitor desires.

So if your garden is small and flowers are not too plentiful, you can still have attractive displays in the house. Look out for rushes when on a jaunt into the country. If you get a good supply they can be cut "into suitable lengths and stored for use during

autumn and winter. A few carnations or sweet peas artistically arranged have as great a value in decoration as masses of bloom.

And when flowers have to be bought, quantity is a consideration. But with rushes to help you your table never need lack an attractive vase of flowers.

Try putting a little household ammonia in the water when you wash up your table glass, and you will be pleased with the result. It is surprising to find that ammonia is not more commonly used in the average household. Think how often we hear the lament of the unfortunate who has dropped or sprayed orange or lemon juice on some garment from which it has taken out the colour. Ammonia will, as a rule, restore colours lost through the action of acids, especially if it is applied early. It is excellent also for restoring the original colour and gloss to black goods that have become faded or rusty from exposure and wear. Just sponge the garment with diluted ammonia. Do not rub. In very bad cases it is best to use spirits of ammonia or strong ammonia—“ ammon. fort. 880 ” the chemists call it—but, as a rule, “ household ” strength is sufficient.

Ammonia has other uses which make it almost indispensable in the household. There is nothing better, used on a soft woollen cloth, for cleaning nickel plate, and a little used for moistening your plate powder when cleaning silver is a help.

Another sphere in which the strong ammonia is a standby is the case of stings. Nothing so quickly relieves the pain after a wasp or bee has “ got you.” It should be applied directly, full strength, and relief is instantaneous. Its medicinal uses in embrocations and as “ sal volatile ” are well known. It is as well to keep it away from the eyes as far as possible, as everybody knows who has had the fumes reach them.

Powdered rock ammonia is another form that is useful. Used on a soft brush and smartly polished in it works wonders in renewing the youth of gold braid and trimmings, beads, and all this class of thing. At a pinch liquid ammonia will the look of gold braid greatly, but it requires care in using and is not as effective as the powder. There is yet one more use for ammonia that does not seem to be generally known. When paint work gets “tacky” wipe it over with a cloth dipped in ammonia, and the tackiness disappears.