HELPFUL HINTS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20363, 21 July 1934, Page 26 (Supplement)

HELPFUL HINTS.

When Mending is a Pleasure. "A STITCH IN TIME." To women who are not fond of needlework the sight of a heap of stockings and socks that require darning is a bugbear. Darning is apt to be put off unti the heap assumes large proportions Sometimes, of course, when one is busy with other work, mending has to be lefl until there is leisure to attack tin arrears. The best way to get rid of il is to decide to spend a whole afternoor and evening, if that is possible, in clearing up the arrears and bringing the work up to date, and then to allocate a certain time every week to mending. Suppose, for instance, that you decide tc spend every Thursday afternoon or Friday evening on mending, you can keep these times as free as possible of engagements and other duties, and leave your mending until then with a cleai conscience. Have a big cretonne bag in which you can pop all the stockings and socks in need of darning, and have your workbasket properly stocked with all kinds of needles, mending silks, cottons and wools, materials for patching, etc. Be sure you have a comfortable chair and footstool, near fireside Or window, according to the weather, or out of doors in the summer. When you settle down to your mending, see that everything is near at hand, that the light is conveniently placed, etc., so that there is no need to be constantly jumping up. As you darn you can listen to the wireless or gramophone or chat to a friend, for there is no need to let your mind get dull because darning is without thrills. If you take a pride in your workmanship and try to make yourself an expert darner you will, however, begin to enjoy your weekly mending.

A WATERPROOF KNEELING MAT. A hot water bottle that leaks is of no use for its original purpose, but you may easily turn an old rubber hot water bottle to account in the following way: Cut off the neck and sew in the edges. Then take about four thicknesses of some soft material such as flannel or felt and cut them to the right size. Then fasten them to the old bottle by placing three or four strong paper fasteners through at each corner. You then have a neat waterproof kneeling mat fo|* use when scrubbing floors or gardening. WASHING FEATHER PILLOWS. Feather pillows can easily be washed at home, and it is desirable that this should be done once or twice a year. Here is the way to treat them: Plunge the pillows into hot soapsuds and squeeze and rub them thoroughly. Do this in fresh, hot suds for a second time and then rinse them in several lots of cold water. Hang them on a line out of doors, choosing a windy day, and, when dry, shake and thump them well before airing. CLEANING A CARPET. Here is a recipe for carpet soap: Shred an ounce of yellow soap and dissolve in a pint of boiling water. Add three dessertspoonfuls of ammonia and a teaspoonful of washing soda. Keep in a shallow jar. For use, make a lather oi the soap with warm water and rub the carpet briskly with a goft brush. Wipe off with warm water and a clean cloth. Do not use this freely before testing the quality of the colours in your carpet, as many carpet colours are not fast.

THINGS WORTH KNOWING Matting made of straw requires regu* lar cleaning. Dust it daily and wash i 1 occasionally solution of salt and water. If preferred, use water in which bran has been dissolved. Before cooking sago, soak it in cold water for an- hour, pour that off; wash the grains well. After this process the sago may be simmered in milk or stock as desired. To remove paint or tar quickly from one’s hands rub them thoroughly with any kind or grease before putting them in water. To prevent cold feet at bedtime, draw off the stockings just before undressing, and rub your ankles and feet well with your hand as hard as you can bear the pressure for five to ten minutes, then you will never have to complain of cold feet in bed. It is hard to realise what pleasant glow this treatment causes. Silks of the artificial crepe variety can be successfully washed at home. Make suds of pure soap with warm water. Allow the garment to soak for an hour or two. Change the water three times at least, keeping it the same temperature, and squeeze instead of rubbing. Do not wring the garment. Dry on a hanger in the open air. Press with a warm iron on the wrong side.