HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18534, 17 July 1922, Page 2

HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Old paint work is sometimes very difficult to clean, the dust having gone into the surface. Dip a sort

cloth into a saucerful of paraffin and salt well mixed, rub gently but firmly, afterwards washing with warm water and polishing with a dry cloth SILENCERS FOR TABLES AND CHAIRS. These can be made at home by cutting pieces of old felt, the size of a shilling, and glueing them to the bottom of table and chair legs. They save the wear and tear upon the oilcloth, and they also prevent many jarring noises. POLISHING THE PIANO. A music-teacher tells us that she always uses castile soap and soft water for cleaning her piano, washing a little at a time and polishing immediately with a dry, soft cloth and then a piece of chamois. Some use, for the last polish, a very little sewing-machine oil, applied with clean chamois. It must be remembered that any thick polish or varnish injures the tone of the piano.

MARCH WINDS AND THE COMPLEXION.

The foundation of a good complexion and healthy skin is absolute cleanliness. Accumulations of dust allowed to absorb into the pores are certain to have bad effects. Therefore, always begin a skin treatment by cleansing the skin thoroughly, and never apply even the simplest beautifier, such as a pure complexion cream or lotion, until the foundation is in a fit state to receive it. The most important time to take care of the skin is during extremely cold weather, or when high, rough winds prevail. In view of the proverbial treacherous winds of March, it would be as well to begin now to fortify the skin against their baneful influence, and this can be done by observing perfect cleanliness, as already advised, and by nourishing the skin with any simple emollient preparation that suits it best —cold cream or olive oil, for instance, well rubbed in. For bathing purposes, great care should be taken in the selection of a suitable washcloth. By far the most beneficial is one that is soft and absorbent, made of Turkish towelling. The use of a cloth of. this kind gives the water a chance to penetrate into the skin, whereas wash-cloths that are too fine do not hold sufficient waiter for the purpose of perfect ablutions. Moreover, the uneven surface of Turkish towelling affords gentle friction without irritation.

A slice of lemon rubbed over the skin will help to keep it clean and fresh; but after applying lemon, or any acid preparation, follow on with gentle massage with a good cold cream. This is a simple and perfect treatment in itself for an ordinarily healthy skin. When enlarged pores are the trouble, a preparation with camphorwater may be used to refine them. The simplest way to prepare the lotion is to dissolve a Quarter of an ounce of borax in a pint of weak camphor-water, bought at the chemist’s and add half an ounce of glycerine. Mix all well together and apply a few drops of the lotion, when required, with a soft linen cloth, passing it over lite face gently to cleanse without irritating the skin. The first application should be wiped of to remove dust and soil; the second application should be allowed to dry in. > Should the preparation be too drying for certain skins, weaken the camphor-water and reduce the amount of borax, or omit the borax, or omit the borax altogether, according to conditions. Weak cam-phor-water by itself is very refreshing and can be used as an alternative lotion as the condition of the skin improves. Camphor suits a greasy skin, but is not a treatment for a dry one. TO MAKE FIREBALLS. Mix together two bushels of small coal, two bushels of sawdust, and three and a half bushels of sand. Work these ingredients into two and a half bushels of ordinary clay. Form into balls, and set them to dry. These may be put on a fire after it has burnt up well. They will be found excellent, and will throw out a splendid heat.