HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17142, 11 September 1923, Page 4

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

Wipe the cords of Venetian blinds with an oil rag and they will be less liable to break. When steel knives and forks have become tainted with fish the smell may be removed by rubbing them with fresh orange or lemon peel. A pinch of salt added to stewed fruit when boiling will do awaj’ with the necessity for so much sugar. Rock ammonia used in washing-up water instead of common soda will not roughen the hands. If kid and suede gloves arc wrapped in flannel when not in use they will last longer than when put away uncovered. Cold Tea for Oilcloth—Pour cßid tea off the leaves and save in a jug. Dip a cloth in it and use for washing varnished wood and oilcloth. To clean aluminium—Never use soda when cleaning aluminium ; it turns the metal black. Silversand may be used to remove any discoloration, after which wash in hot soapy water. Polish the outside with whitening, and give a final polish with a leather. Pipeclay softens water—A cake of pipeclay should be kept at hand when washing is in progress. A small portion of the pipeclay, shredded finely, will soften the water to which it has been added and less soap will be needed. The clothes should be rinsed carefully to free them of particles of pipeclay which may not have dissolved. Squeaky shoes—When neiv shoes squeak stand them on a plate in which a little castor oil has been poured. The soles will soak this up and there will be no more squeaking. A moveable pail stand —When washing floors have a Square of wood, with castors at each corner, to hold the pail, which can then be pushed about as wanted ; the soap can rest on a cornel* of this “ platform,” instead of being left in the water.

Velvet polishers—When velvet or velveteen gowns and blouses have seen their best days, out the large parts into pieces about half a yard square and use for polishing cloths; smaller parts, such as sleeves, can be cut into strips for covering pads. Black currant tea—Black currant tea is excellent for sore throats. Simmer a tablespoonful of black currant jam or jelly with the juice of half a. lemon and a small quantitv of sugar in one pint of boiling water for a quarter of an hour: Orange pel for cakes—Orange pee] should be dried in the oven and small pieces used for flavouring puddings, cakes and custards. Painted linoleupi—Painted linoleum should never be scrubbed, but wiped over with a damp cloth. Polishing with a good furniture cream, however, is the better treatment, for it preserves the paint and keeps the surface clean much longer.