HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 4 January 1930, Page 14

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

Wicker chairs that are used in the garden deteriorate rather quickly. Not only do they look unsightly when loose ends of cane project here and there, but they are a source of danger to flimsy summer frocks, and more particularly to silk stockings. Only a woman knows the intense annoyance of ruining a new pair of silk stockings on someone’s decrepit garden chair. The effort to smile and declare that it “is nothing ” is almost too much for feminine politeness. All broken ends should be bound up, and the simplest and most effective way of doing this is to use strands of natural coloured raffia plaited into broad bands about half an inch wide. Keep the binding strip equal width all the way down, plaiting in new raffia as it begins to thin. The plait should be securely fastened at the ends and then used to wind around arms and legs where the cane has frayed. It should be pulled tight, and at the finish the ends tucked in and secured with a brass-headed tack. If. the front of the seat has worn, raffia can be threaded in and out of the broken strands, and if this is done neatly a very even repair results. “ Silver-cleaning day again. . . . Bother! ” you say, it you are an average woman with lots .of more interesting things to do; for it does take such a time, and make such a mess, however careful one is. Well, just let me give you a hint that will save you many hours of unnecessary work. Most people use aluminium saucepans nowadays, and many have an old one whose appearance is no longer a matter of pride. If you are fortunate enough to possess a large, old one, you can make good use of it in the following way:— Three parts fill it with water and add a handful of washing soda; put in your forks, spoons and other little silver articles and boil them up for a few minutes. If the'things are only partly covered turn them about so that all surfaces get into the boiling soda water. You will then find that they are free from stains and only need rinsing in cold water and polishing with a soft leather. This method has other advantages, that there is no fear of scratching and also does no harm whatever to the silver. I am assured of this by a chemical expert. The saucepan must be very thoroughly cleaned afterwards. If you wash your sheets at home, peg them, if you have room, singly on the line, with the selvedge perpendicular —as this is the strongest way of the threads. When space is limited, or there is a high wind, bring the lower corners up and peg to form a bag. Large tablescloths should be pegged in this way—it will prevent all risk of tearing on a windy day. Towels, pillow-slips and table napkins are peg ged by the hems, while body linen is pegged in the. way that it is worn, as a general rule, though it can be turned to make drying quick. Quite a good deal of work can be saved by taking things from the line while they are still damp and ironing them at once. This will give an added stiffness almost equal to starching, in fact in many cases the starching can be done away with altogether. It is most necessary at times, of course, but it can be avoided at others. Such things as small, dainty tablecloths, tray cloths, curtains, showing signs of wear, and even d’oylies, will really look delightfully firm and white if ironed while damp. The result is quite unlike that obtained from ironing after the usual drying and damping down. An even dampness is what is wanted and hot, heavv irons. Where the wash ‘is large, hours of time can be saved by taking clothes from the line while damp enough to mangle or iron. Damping and folding takes time, so why not take a short cut? Always remember that stiffly starched things must be quite dry before they are pressed; if they are not, the starch will stick to the iron. Damping down and even folding is essential for successful ironing in this case. Crochet edgings need gently pulling into shape before heavy pressing with really hot irons, also on the wrong side. Great care should be taken to keep starch from lacy borders, which ought to hang softly and evenly. Moreover, if crochet is regularly, starched with the cloth it will soon tear. A few bright cushions here and there help to change the appearance of furniture one knows too well. And here is a simple way of having gay cushions for little expense. You are sure to be able to pick up during the sales some remnants of plain or striped furnishing rep or casement cloth, and with them you can make lovely cushions with the aid of coloured wools. You could make a round cushion of plain rep with a braid binding of a deeper shade. Then ornament it with ■ simple embroidery by merely working daisies in the centre, with odd stitches ; for leaves round the outside. The daisies and their leaves can be dotted , about indiscriminately over the face cf , the cushion in satin-stitch. A cushion made from striped rep . can be made quite unusual by embroidering the stripes with wool. A simple running-stitch in rows about an inch apart is all that is necessary. To keep bronze ornaments in gooc condition, wipe them over with a little sweet oil and polish them with a sofi . duster. ! When boiling potatoes always add s ! small onion. This greatly adds to the L flavour and can be removed when the . potatoes are dished up.