CARE OF THE HOME

Southland Times, Issue 18927, 28 April 1923, Page 14

CARE OF THE HOME

USEFUL GLYCERINE. ITS PLACE IN THE HOUSEHOLD. During the war, when glycerine was a forbidden luxury, women grumbled dreadfully because they could not jet it. Now that it is procurable cur appreciation has [ dwindled. Apart from the toilet, glycerine has many household uses, foi instance, in the laundry. When washing blankets and all-wool fabrics, glycerine is a boon because of its softening qualities. The only change to be made in the regular way cf washing is to add two tablespoonsful of pure glycerine to a small tub of water before immersing the soiled articles. Also try two tablespoonsful in the boilers when boiling clothes. The effect is most gratifying. Glycerine, the housewife should re member, softens scrubbing water and makes the tables and floors white. The effect on the hands, too. is softening. When children’s shoes are hardened by being wet, diy them and apply a little glycerine. The leather will absorb every particle and become quite soft. One tablespoonsful of glycerine to each pound of fruit used in making jelly or preserves will prevent a sugary coat from forming on top. When acid fruit is stewed put in a little glycerine. In fact, any fruit requiring sugar is improved by glycerine. HOUSEHOLD LORE. A MELANGE OF ADVICE. When sash cords of Windows are well rubbed with a little heated candle grease how and again they last a long time, and there is not that constant damage to woodwork and expense of renewing cords dried to breaking point by sun and air. If a line of machine stitching is run round stockings just below the place where suspenders will be attached to them “ladders” will not occur. If children’s stockings are lightly darned at toes, heels, and knees when washed, before they are worn, there will be no heavy darning needed for weeks. If a piece of rather broad webbing is sewn on the under-side of the border of a carpet the durability of the border will be increased and moth grubs will be unable to attack the edges of the carpet. If new casseroles are well rubbed all over the outside with half a raw onion they will not “sweat.” “Sweating” causes cracking when the pots are heated. If the drawers of a new chest are rubbed on the sides and lower edges with a hard piece of yellow soap there will be none of that irritating sticking. If a narrow piece of tape is neatly sewn round the comers of new sheets and fableclo,ths the hems will not be easily torn at the laundry. If small cakes and tarts, cooked in small patty pans, are placed in a row on a wet cloth for a few minutes they will readily leave the tins. If a line is made round the centre of apples with a sharp knife before they are baked they will not burst BLACK LACE HOW TO FRESHEN IT. Black lace that is not soiled but requires freshening should be well shaken and brushed with a soft brush to remove all dust. Next soak it in tea to which gum water, | in the proportion of a tablespoonful to each pint of tea, has been added. When brightening silk lace add also to this solution a tablespoonful of methylated spirits. After the lace has soaked for half an hour, squeeze (but do not wring) the lace. Shake and spread it out between the folds of a towl and pass it once or tw’ice through a wringer or beat it between the hands. Pull out the points, roll up the lace right side out, and leave it in a towl for an hour before ironing it. Spread the lace out over a piece of white paper on an ironing board, pull out all the points, and iron over another sheet of paper. Never put the iron directly on black lace as it will become glazed. Gum water is made by dissolving one ounce of gum arabic in a pint of boiling water. Strain through muslin and store in a bottle. DOMESTIC JOTTINGS. TO SHARPEN SCISSORS. It is not realised that blunt scissors can be easily sharpened with the aid of a bright steel knitting needle. > Hold the needle in the left hand and the scissors in the right and close th? scissors as if about to cut the needle in half. The needle will then slide forward until it passes out of the blades. Repeat this action several times and the scissors will soon be as sharp as they were when they were new. MENDING THE FRAYED SHOE LACING Who has not had difficulty with a shoe string from which the metal point has come off, leaving a frayed edge which refuses to go through the lacing eyelets? This inconvenience may be remedied by the application of sealing wax. Run a small amount of wax down and around the end of the lacing for nearly half an The wax will harden and consequently to be heated again in order to make it pliable for rolling and tapering with the fingers to a point like that supplied originally by the metal.