HOME AND HOUSEHOLD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8036, 7 January 1905, Page 2

HOME AND HOUSEHOLD.

Specially Compiled.

Mixture for Washing (excellent for blankets). —Two parts liquid ammonia, one part spirits of turpentine: one* tablespoonful of this mixture to six gallons of water. Mode : Cut half a pound of soap into thin slices, with two quarts of water; boil till dissolved; add six gallons of warm water (enough to bear the hand); add to this one tablespoonful of this mixture; stir well; add the clothes piece by piece, so as to saturate them well; cover the tub with an old blanket or rug to keep in the steam, and leave for three or four hours; then put the clothes into another tub of warm water; rinse well and proceed with the blue water. The clothes will not require rubbing. This is splendid for flannel and blankets. Do not use the water twice except for dusters, etc.

To Remove Finger-marks.—Sweet oil will remove finger-marks from varnished furniture, and kerosene from oiled furniture.

To Ventilate a Room.—Place a pitcher of cold water on a table in your room, and it will absorb all the gases with which the room is filled from the respiration of those eating or sleeping in the apartment. The colder the water the more effective; it will make the air of the room pure, but the water will be entirely unfit for use. To Remove Paint From Black Silk.— Patient rubbing with chloroform will remove paint from black silk or any other goods, and will not hurt the most delicate color or fabric.

To Clean Iron Sinks—Rub them well with a cloth wet with kerosene oil. To Scour Knives Easily.—Mix a small quantity of baking soda with your brick dust, and see if your knives do not polish better.

To Remove Mildew from Cloth.— Put a teaspoonful of chloride of lime into a quart of water, strain it twice, tben dip the mildewed places into this weak solution; lay in the sun; if the mildew has not disappeared when dry, repeat the operation. Also soak the article in sour milk and Bait; then lay in the sun ; repeat until the mildew is out.

Ink spots on floors can be extracted by scouring with sand wet in oil of vitriol and water. When ink is removed rinse with strong pearl-ash water.

Stained Brass.—Whiting wet with liquid ammonia will cleanse brass from stains, and is excellent for polishing faucets and door knobs of brass or silver.

A pinch of salt will greatly improve the flavor of apple sauce. Some people also add a little brown gravy. A pinched finger should be held in water as hot as can be borne This relieves the pain more quickly than anything. A Tam-o'-Shanter, when washed, should be stretched over a dinner plate, and thus left to dry. This will prevent it from shrinking.

Copper pans that are not in regular use should always be rubbed with a little salt and vinegar and well rinsed before using. For the Hands.—After doing washing of any kind, rub your hands with a little dry salt before wiping. It softens and improves them.

A dress should always be brushed before it is put away. The dust, if left on, gradually works its way into the material. White kid gloves should be cleaned on the hands by rubbing with oatmeal and benzoline mixed to a paste. Continue rubbing until the paste rubs off in dry, flaky bits.

Tar on the hands can be removed by rubbing with fresh lard and afterwards washing in warm water. To remove varnifh, rub with methylated spirits before washing.

Before polishing furniture rub it well With a cloth wrung out of lukewarm vinegar and water. This removes dust and dirt, and prevents the cloudy appearance one so often sees.

Children's slates should occasionally be washed in warm water, to which a little soda has been added. This takes off the greasihess that sometimes makes writing a difficulty.