HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1927, Page 18

HOUSEHOLD HINTS

TUBBING SILK STOCKINGS. The number of artificial silk stockings spiolt in the wash scarcely bears thinking about. So many women set about tubbing these frail articles as if they were hardy cashmere. There is a right way—and a much less strenuous one. If the feet of the stockings are more than ordinarily soiled p,lace the feet only in lukewarm water, and let them stay there for at least ten minutes. . This systematic soaking will rid the badly-soiled portion of leather dye and other stains. Then squeeze very gently, and swish about until you see that the feet are practically clean. Now rinse in two separate lots of warm water, and the preliminary treatment is finished. It is essential, where there is any discoloration of 4he fabric, because whatever has soiled the foot portion of the hose is thus prevented from getting to the legs. Now for the next step. Put the stockings in cold water, and again allow them to soak. This time for a-qtmrter of an hour. Have ready a nice soapy lather, which must also be allowed to get quite cold before you.use it. To this prepared cold lather transfer your stockings after their cold-water soaking. Swish round and squeeze very gently. Obviously tlie feet will require no hard rubbing; in fact, no rubbing at all. Five minutes’ lathering is followed by a rinsing in lukewarm water. This usually suffices to remove all trace of soiled and soapy water; but there is every thing to be said for a second rinsing, which is followed by a final rinse in cold water. Gently squeeze out all surplus water, then place the stockings between the folds of a perfectly dry towel and press with a flat hand. Take them out, lay them flat on the towel,- and gently and carefully pull and pat them into shape. Now they are ready for drying, but on no account hang them up bn a line. Keep them flat, either by exposing them to the air (but never the sun), or laying them between paper on the coolest frart of the cooking stove, if practicable. When quite dry, cover them with a piece of damped muslin and lightly press with a moderately hot iron. Never move the iron to and fro in the conven tional ironing movement. FAWN KID SHOES A very good way of removing stains from your fawn kid shoes is to rub the marks with a cut lemon from which nearly all the juice has been squeezed out. Be very careful only to use the lemon for the parts that need cleaning. Afterwards rub well with a clean cloth till dry, when you will find that the marks, should have disappeared. If tlu> marks are very obstinate thd treatment can be repeated. Finish off by polishing with your usual polish, and the shoes will look quite nice again. STEWS Stewing is a matter that reqniies a certain amount of care. When making n stew, bear in mind that on no account must it be allowed to boil-—it must only simmjr. “A stew boiled is a stew spoiled,” and the tougher the piece of meat is likely to be the longer anit slower must it be cooked. If more convenient, the stew can be cooked in the oven, but see that the dish or basin is closely covered. The economy of a stew is that no goodness which escapes from the meat or vegetables is lost, but will be contained in the gravy. Many people consider this the best part. There are many advantages iii this method of cooking: Little fuel is used, as a small fire is required. Cheaper pacts of meat can be used with excellent results. All goodness escaping from meat is retained in the gravy. The vegetables which usually accompany stews help to make the meaj; go farther. Economy of time, as slews are quickly prepared, and need little or no attention while cooking. They are so easily kept hot should any member of the family be late for the meal. MAKING USE OF LAVENDER. In making lavendei' water, allow al the rate of an ounce of lavender flowers, shredded from the stalks, to a quart of the best wine vinegar, and add the thinly-peeled rind of two lemons. Soak in a' stone pickle jar for twenty-four hours, and then place the vessel on the top of a slightly warm oven for another day. When it is' cold, filter through muslin and cork tightly.Waxing the cork is an additional precaution for preserving the strength of the contente. Rosemary vinegar can be made in the same way. The whole secret of the old-fashioned, lavender bag lay in the admixture of a few other ingredients. A little dried thyme and mint and a sprinkling of a few Carraways and ground cloves make all the difference, besides giving a lasting quality to the scent. SMELLING SADTS. Lavender smelling salts, which are sd refreshing, can be simply and economically made at home. Eight ounces of carbonate of ammonia cut in squares, half an ounce of oil of lavender, half an ounce of oil of bergamot, one ounce of oil of cloves, half a fluid ounro of oil of cassia. Mix and shako the mis well together. Put the squares of ammonia into your smelling bottle. Barely cover the salts with the mixture.