Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 12, 21 March 1907, Page 33

Domestic

By < Maureen '

.Rust on Steel. . To remove,- rust from steel, rub the rusted . part well w.ith sweet oil, and allow it to stand * for 48., hours. Then rub with a piece of soft leather and sprinkle with" finely powdered unslaked lime- until the rust disappears. When the rust, has eaten into the steel this will be found a quick way of cleaning it. Bicycles' with a coat: ol rusit on . can be quickly cleaned in this way. — ' How to Prevent Bed Sores. Where^patients are compelled to remain in bed for a long period there is always the possibility- "of bed sores arising. These add greatly to the distress, of the patient and the la-bor of the nurse. Prevention is always 'better and easier than cure," and the following simple remedy should he prepared atud applied wihjen necessary. Beat the white of an egg to * a. stiff froth, and add gradually two teaspoonfuls of methylated spirit while continuing the .beating. 'Keep -the preparation in a covered jar, and rub a little on the p^arts which bear the weight of the patient's body, such as shoulders, ___ elbows, haunches,' afodr heels, after washing and well drying the patient. . Keep the un- ( der sheet perfectly taut and free from creases and dampness, and brush away all crumbs immediately- after each meal. Care of Lamps. Every. lamp owner should know that a new wick should be soaked in vinegar— some housekeepers boil it in vinegar. This having been done, there will be neither smoke nor smell, while a- much brighter - light will be given. • , _ Wicks are the main tiling to be considered in connection with lamps. Unless a wick is welL cared -for a satisfactory light cannot be had. In the first place those v wbo have the care of lamps should never cut the wicks ; the charred portions from' them should be rubbed o5 with a soft rag every day. If the wick becomes too short to carry up the kerosene, do- not- thro,w it away, but fasteri'a piece of cotton cloth to the end below and it will prove a good feeder. WicVs should not ' be allowed to g~ow toci short, however, for then they clog the burners. No better treatment for burners can be suggested, when they have become gummy and prevent the wicks from moving freely, than to boil them in suds over the fire for ar short time. In this ,wtayj they can be , kept clean, and a clran burner always works .well. By boiling the burner all incrustations from the- settlings of oil are removed. , Once in a while the lamps themselves become corroded and should be washed out with ,soap" suds and very small shot or a little sand, and sho'uld 1 be shaken vigorously for a few minutes. The admonition thoroughly to dry all parts of a lamp seems hardly necessary to gi'"p, but' so important is it to have the wick and the lamp and the chimney perfectly dry, that every one should be warned on this point. New chimneys are often put ' into salt water tjhat is allowed to come to a boil. This is said —to itauglien' , tifoem, tout a good chimmey can best" .be cleaned by wiping it over in the usual way with a soft cloth that has been dipped in methylated spirit. This will clean it better than , -by washing i n wa te r and it does prevent the glass from brealing so easily: Polish with chamois. When lamps become very dirty, a teaspoonful of soda to a quart of hot. soap suds will cleanse them thtorougfaily, btut the washing should be quickly done, lest the soda should injure the, metal. Never use an almost em»ty lamn, as it is not safe to do so. The space that is empty is sometimes self-filled with, an explosive gas. Wipe the outside of the vimle lamn np-rfectly dry with a soft cloth. Lamps sometimes smell from oil that is left on the, outside. -