ALL ABOUT THE HOUSE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 34, 26 August 1893, Page 142

ALL ABOUT THE HOUSE.

WHAT CAUSES SPOTS ON A MIRROR. Spots have appeared on a correspondent’s new mirror, and she wants to know how to remove them. If a mirror be placed where sunlight or a very strong light falls directly upon it the quicksilver will be liable to dissolve, leaving dark spots on the glass. I have failed to learn of any way to repair this defect except by having the glass resilvered. HOW TO TEST FLOUR. Although flour is in daily use in nearly every family, comparatively few cooks or housekeepers know anything about the quality of the different brands of Hour, or can tell whether they are using flour of a choice or of an inferior grade. There are various methods of testing Hour, but this is one of the simplest—Take some Hour in the left hand, add a little water, and with the right forefinger mix a rather stiff dough in the hand. Let it stand a few minutes, then knead and work in the hand. If the Hour is good the dough will become stiffer and dryer with working, and have an elastic, rubbery feeling. If it is of inferior quality the dough will become soft and sticky under protracted working. Flour that is of a chalky or bluish white shade, or that feels soft and salvy, and when balled together in the hand remains in a lump, should be avoided, TO REMOVE BLACK INK STAINS. Several subscribers ask how ink stains can be removed. If the stained aiticle be washed immediately in several waters and then in milk, letting it soak in the milk for several hours, the stain will disappear. Washing the article immediately in vinegar and water and then in soap and water will remove all ordinary inkstains. Washing at once in water and then in liquid citric acid or oxalic acid is another mode. Oxalic acid is very corrosive, and should be removed from the article by a thorough washing in water. If, after the washing, the article be wet with household ammonia, any acid remaining will be neutralized. No matter what substance be used to remove ink, the stain must be rubbed well. If the article stained be a carpet on the floor, use a brush. As the acids often affect the colours in a fabric, it is wise to try the water and milk, or the water and vinegar methods before resorting to the acids. Chemicals should always be the last resort, unless one be rather familiar with their action. My own experience is that it is a most difficult matter to remove the stains of some kinds of black ink if they have stood for a few hours ; whereas other kinds, notably stylographic ink spots, can be removed easily with soap and water. HEALTH HINTS. Sait will relieve slight nausea. A remedy for soft corns : Bind on a piece of cotton wool soaked in castor oil. Hands can be softened fit for society with equal parts of rose water and glycerine. Horseradish applied to the temples is said to be an excellent neuralgia remedy. Yellow and * mastic ’ (whitey-brown) are recommended as the best colours to use to favour the eyes. Dr. Norstrom’s treatment of headache by massage is regarded as meriting a description in the London Lancet.