Household Hints.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 24, Issue 18, 7 March 1913, Page 2

Household Hints.

When peeling lemons for cooking purposes, be sure never to cut any of the white skin, as it has a bitter flavour. About half a teaspoonful of ordinary moist sugar rubbed into the. hands "with a soapy lather will clean them and leave them beautiful • and smooth. To remove paint and varnish -from the hands, first rub well into them a generous quantity of grease or lard, then wash them with soap and water. : Before scraping now potatoes* always soak them for half an hour in salt and water. The effect afterwards is wonderful. Not only do the skins come off much more easily, but the hands will then not he stained at all; If you have any difficulty in giving children powders,: take a banana and cut it in half lengthways. Scoop out some of the’ fruit, making a follow in the middle. Put the powder into it, place together again, and give to the child to eat. Always empty, the water out of the kettle after using it, and-- rinse it thoroughly before filling with fresh water. This prevents the thick white sediment from forming at the bottom of the kettle that so soon cakes the sides of the kettle if noi rinsed. , - When curtain-pins have been in ust for some time they are apt to become rusty. To remedy this, let them stand for a few minutes in a cup of water to which a little ammonia has been added. Then take out and rub well, and they will look almost lake new again. Coffee or cream stams may be removed from delicate silk or woollen fabrics by first of all brushing the stains with glycerine, and then well rinsing them in lukewarm water. But the stain should not be allowed to dry in. Later, press the material cn the wrong side with a warm iron. Plants will grow more quickly if a few drops of ammonia be add’d once a week to the water with which they are watered. The water ' should be lukewarm* not colder' than, the atmosphere o$ the room, and the leaves of the plants should be kept free from dust by being sponged or syringed,

It is not generally known that oilmarks where people have rested their heads can be taken from the 'paper on walla by mixing pipeclay with water to a consistency of cream, laying it on the spot and letting it remain till the following day* when it may be easily removed with a penknife or brush.

Stains made by medicine and liniments are among the most obstinate for removal, and frequently tax 1 amateur ' knowledge to the utmost. lodine marks may, however be successfully removed by means of liquid ammonia, a little of the spirit being poured ' into a saucer, the stained garment laid across it, and the spot dabbed repeatedly with the fingers until it disappears. It should then bo rinsed in tepid water and washed with strong soapsuds in the usual manner; -