Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 26 August 1909, Page 31

Domestic

By MAUREEN

- Polished Tables. , Polished tables may be kept in good condition if about oiice a week they are rubbed with a mixture of equal parts of turpentine and olive oil. Apply with a piece of flannel, afterwards polishing with a dry cloth. . ' A Cheap Floor Stain. A cheap floor stain is permanganate of potash. Allow one ounce to half a gallon of water, or less if a light stahi is required. Brush over the floor, and next day rub with boiled lmseed oil. On the third day polish with bees' wax and turpentine. _.-,*<,.- _-- New Gas MantlesBefore using new gas mantles, soak them in vinegar and hang them up to dry,. When quite dry put'them on the burners. In this -way a brilliant- white light is obtained, and the burners will last twice as long as usual, even in draughty places. -,' To Make Steaks Tender! Put three tablespoonfuls of salad oil and one of vinegar well mixed together, on a large flat dish, and on this lay the steak before it is cooked. The steak must lie in the mixture at least half an hour, on each side. The toughest steak will succumb to this and be perfectly tender when cooked. * - f Tea Stains on Tray Cloths. ' Dried tea marks are always troublesome to remove, and m the case of a dainty tea cloth trimmed with la<o and embroidery, which is always carefully washed at home without boiling, the stains should be treated at once. \ mixture should be made of equal parts of glycerine and the yolk of an egg, and this should be painted over the stain and left until perfectly dry. A good .rinsing should - then be given with clean water, and the cloth can afterwards be washed as usual. Airing Clothes. Never put away immediately in drawers or wardrobe any articles which have just been taken off. Hang them in a place which the air reaches for at least an hour Put them away after having brushed and folded them. Clothing which is not laundered should be hung out to* air during the day from time to time, turned wrong side out. Clothing which has been worn a long time, if not aired properly, contracts most disagreeable odors, and no perfume will conceal them. Air, water, sunshine, and fire have disinfecting .qualities which are purifying; and we should know how to avail ourselves of them. Instead of Soap. An oatmeal pad makes a very dainty, delightful, and efficacious skm cleanser.. It not only cleanses the skin, thus performing the office of soap, but removes all roughness and scaly bits of cuticle, leaving the skin soft, white, and clean. To make an oatmeal pad, get a package of fine oatmeal and a yard of cheesecloth. Make little cheesecloth bags about 4in by 2*in. Fill them half full with oatmeal. The pads should be used as washcloths. Hold them in the bath water until a milky substance begins to ooze forth, then wash over until the skin feels clean. Soap is very trying to a sensitive skin, and tie oatmeal pad is a splendid substitute. A little powdered orris mixed with the oatmeal gives an added charm. Importance of Walking. Women are beginning to realise more and more that it is impossible to have a good complexion if the daily walk is omitted. As walking alone is rather tiresome, it is a wise plan for two or three girls -who are seeking to cultivate or retain beauty to organise a little beauty club and take their walks together. This will provide yoi with company on your walk. The only objection to this is that when several girls take their walks together they are apt to become so interested in their conversation that they will not walk briskly enough. Half the benefit in walking lies in walking briskly so as to exercise the muscles and to increase the circulation. It is essental in walkng that the correct position be maintained. The weight of the body should be thrown on the balls of the feet, and the chest should be held well up and out. The abdomen should be drawn in. This will give, you the perfect carriage that is the inalienable attribute of the woman bea*itifill. The exercise and the pure, fresh air that one will take into the lungs in vast breathfuls will so increase the general good health that a good complexion is bound to result.