HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17781, 26 February 1926, Page 9

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

When you want a pan or saucepan for hard wear, buy a good one. Aluminium and tin are sold in several qualities. There is, for instance, sheet tin and aluminium, and block tin and block aluminium. One is very thin and will not stand a great deal of constant heat. In buv-ing cutler}*, see that there is a “ tang ” to the knife which goes right up into the handle, otherwise, you will find the handle will not last very long. Buy the best quality'- electro-plate which is always stamped “ E.P.” If you can afford to buy inlaid linoleum, instead of the printed variety'-, it will last three or four times as long. Reversible carpets are the most economical, as they can be turned to save wear and tear. A good selfcoloured felt is better than a shoddy oarpet. In buying stair-carpets, always buy half a yard extra, so that you can move the “ tread ” occasionally, to save the wear of the carpet. To Fold Linen.—Sheets should be folded into a narrow strip and then doubled over once or twice. Tablecloths should be folded into a screen fold. Pull / the cloth out well, and put selvedge to selvedge, keeping the

right side inside. Fold again, bringing the folded edge up to the selvedges. Let the outer fold down, and bring it round to the inside. Then put the cloth flat on the table and fold nearly' in half, but not quite, to avoid too many thicknesses of hem. It is better if two people fold large tablecloths. When mangling, put the closed end through the machine first. Inflammable Cloths.—Oily’ rags which have been used for polishing furniture or floors should* either be destroyed or washed at once, so as to be fit for use again when wanted. The thing not to do is to leave them put away in a heap in some cupboard or corner, for this is not only slovenly*, •but may* be absolutely dangerous. Such oily rags heat quickly, and a pile of them may easily burst into flame without any fire being brought near them. Many so-called “ mysterious ” fires are said to be caused in this way. An old cloth which has been moistened with paraffin or petrol may be put on tlie fire when it is very low to cause it to burn up quickly.

The Uses of Sage.—Sage-leaves are excellent for cleaning the teeth, and sage tea is very good for a cold. Put a bunch of sage into a jug and pour over it a pint of boiling water, sweeten with two tablespoonfuls of honey, let it stand, covered with a lid, then strain. ..