Household Hints

Southland Times, Issue 22999, 19 September 1936, Page 17

Household Hints

If a sprinkling of salt is added to the fat in which fish is fried the fish may be turned without the risk of breaking. Soak potatoes in cold water for two hours before cooking and they will be white and floury. Add the salt when nearly cooked; this lessens the risk of their going to pieces. The flavour of beef is considerably improved if well salted overnight. The salt must be well rubbed in, rot merely sprinkled over. Before flavouring any cooked mixtures such as custards, let them cool thoroughly, otherwise the warmth causes the flavour to escape, and the food tastes insipid. If tea is spilt on the tablecloth sprinkle some sugar over it at once. The stain will then come out in the wash. If odd pieces of wash leather or kid are sewn underneath big buttons they

will prevent the buttons from being torn out and so leaving a hole. Starch can be used with good effect for cleaning soiled wallpaper. Apply with a damp cloth, paying particular attention to parts that are badly soiled. Try a little starch when cleaning silver. Sprinkle over a damp cloth and rub well into the metal. Polish with an old silk handkerchief. Add a little starch to the water in which glassware is to be washed. This not only helps to remove dirt, but also gives a more lasting shine to the glassware. Mint will keep fresh longer if washed in water to which a little bicarbonate of soda has been added.

Steel curbs and fireirons can be kept bright and free from rust by rubbing them occasionally with furniture polish.

The flavour of carrots will be improved if a pinch of sugar is added to them while cooking. Moths can be kept from furs by putting a piece of linen damped in turpentine in the wardrobe in which they are stored. ,