HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 15162, 4 October 1913, Page 3

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

To Prevent Linoleum Cracking.— Linoleum which has been rolled and put away can be prevented from oracliino- bv p'acing it for a fc-w minutes in front "of the fire before unrolling. T) Take Rust Out of Steel. —Cover the steel with sweet oil well rubbed in, and in forty-eight- hours use unslaked lime, finely powdered, and rub until all the rust d'sappears. China, to Prevent ; Chipping. Household china is apt to get chipped at the taps in the kitchen. Cut two smali pieces from some . old garden hose or rubber tubing, and slip it over each of the taps at the..sink. This will prevent such aca.denis. Window Binds. —When ironing window blinds, after -fchey have been starched fold them down the middle lengthwise, and iron double, both sides together. Then open thc-m .out and iroli the fold. They hang beautifully and keep their shape, not stretching as when ironed singly. To Boil a Kettle or Saucepan Over aCandle. —Stand two chairs, with rungs fairly near together. Place a lighted candle on the floor between the two. Than lay a pair of fire tongs across the rungs of the two chairs, and on the • tongs place a small kettle or saucepan immediately over the candle. The water does not take long to boil.

For Scouring Saucepans.—Mix together in a pan half a pound of soft soap, half a pound of whiting, half a pound of powderfed bath brick, and half a pint of water. Let it boil slowly for half an hour, then pour the mixture into tins. When cold it is ready for use, and will' be found an excellent soap, not only for saucepans, but for all cleansing purposes when scouring is required. For Cold Floors.—lf a stone i floor is required to be covered with linoleum get some fine dry sawdust, and cover the floor over with it evenly before laying the lino., This will preserve it from damp, and make the floor warm and pleasant to walk, upon. When spring cleaning the sawdust is easily removed, and a. fresh" supply substituted.

To Test Wall Paper.—Many, of the cheap papers contain arsenic, and this poison is most dangerous to human beings. The following is a test which is easily applied:— Take a piece of paper and dip it into a saucer containing .strong spirits of ammonia. If arsenic is; present the green paper will colour only changes slightly "a, little crystal of; nitrate of silver (caustic) added to the ammonia in the saucer wiiH cause a yellow sediment, showing that arsen'c is present.

jAn Overturned Lamp.— Should a lamp be overturned smother the flame, but do not use water, for it will simply spread it. Instead throw down flour, sand, garden earth, or salt, any of which will have the desired effect. Rusty Saucepans.—To.gefc rust from iron saucepans boil half a pint of water and a small basin of rough cooking salt for twority minutes. Empty out, wash out weCl with strong soda water, and wipe quite dry. All rust will disappear. *s Chlor.de of lime and silver sand xised when scrubbing . kitchen table, boards, etc., will make them jB-ery wbita.