Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 10 December 1908, Page 33

Domestic

By MAUREEN

For a Restless Child. If a delicate child has a habit of kicking the clothes off at night, and so contracting chills, it is a good plan to sew a large button to each corner of the coverlet and attach a long tape loop to the corners of the bedstead. When fastened this contrivance will keep the bedclothes securely in place, however much the child may toss in his sleep. Piano Keys. The appearance of a piano is considerably lessoned If the keys are faded or yellow. To keep the keys in good condition dissolve half an ounce of fine white wax, shredded small, with turpentine, by heat, till it becomes of the consistency of cream. Apply a small quantity of this to the keys with a flannel, and polish by rubbing well with soft rags. This will cleanse and brighten them. Leave the piano open for several hours eacli week, and the keys will not turn yellow. Boot Dressing. A simple, and at the same time one of the best dressings for black leather is orange juice. Take a slice cf orange, and rub it well into the leather, and after letting it dry brush the leather with a soft brush, and a brilliant polish will result. An excellent cleanser for brown or tan boots is the inside of a banana skin, which should be rubbed evenly over the shoe. When dry, polish with a soft cloth. Bright Grates and Fire Irons. Now that grates and fire irons arc not in use, it will be necessary to protect thorn from rust. To preberve them, make a strong paste of fresh lime and water, and with a brush smear it as thickly as possible over all the polished surface requiring preservation. By this simple means all the grates and lire irons in an empty house will be kept for months free from harm without further care or attention. Tender Feet. Those whose occupation keeps them on their feet a great deal are often troubled u-ith chafed, sore, and blistered feet, especially in hot weather, no matter how comfortably their shoes fit. A most efficacious powder for sifting into shoes and stockings is made of three parts cf salicylic acid, ten parts of starch, and eighty-seven parts of pulverised soapstone. Any chemist will make it up for a small sum. Cleaning Plate. Shave a quarter of a pound of soap into a pot holding" two quarts of water, and add a little soda. Into this put all the spoons, forks, etc., and boil for five minutes. Then remove the articles to a bowl of clean hot water, to rinse them; then dry and polish with a leather. The plate will be beautifully bright, and the trouble much less than if powder were used. Put aside the boiled soap in a jar, and add a little of it to the water in which the plate is washed whenever it is used, and you will find it 'easy *o keep it nice and bright. Uses for Salt. Put a pinch of salt in the eggs you are beating, and they will be light in a much shorter time. Sprinkle it on the fire, and you will get the blue flame so much desired for broiling steak or chops. Sprinkle it on the bottom of the oven, and your cakes will not burn. Pour it quickly on spilled ink, and it will absorb most of the liquid before it has time to stain. Salt makes an excellent toothpowder, but it is not advisable to use it daily, as it will spoil the enamel if used too frequently. An occasional brushing with it is recommended. Sprinkle it on the coals, and shake damp uncurled ostrich feathers over the fumes' and the tendrils will curl up smartly. Bathe your tired eyes in salt and water, and you will be astonished at the strength it gives them. A pinch of salt ■ improves cakes; .candies, and almost everything that is cooked.