Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 30 June 1910, Page 1033

Domestic

By MAUREEN

Uses for Emery Cloth. A small strip makes the best kind of grip for unscrewing fountain pens or metal covers. A strip pasted on -a pretty card makes a nice match-striker. A few drops of machine oil on the emery paper,: and you have an excellent oilstone. jW x.-\>. A "Use for Rice-water. Rice-water makes an excellent stiffening medium for lace, handkerchiefs, and small things of this description. It gives just the right stiffness, and greatly improves their appearance. Rice-water may also be used as a foundation tor soups. . To Clean Silk at Home. v?; Grate two or three potatoes, and add to a pint of cold water. Leave for a short time, then pour the liquid off clear, or strain it through a sieve, and it will be ready for use. Spread the silk out smoothly, and apply the liquid with a clean sponge until the dirt is well separated. Dip each piece in a basin of clean water, and hang up to dry without wringing. Before the silk is quite dry iron on the wrong side. A Useful Hint for Amateur Dressmakers. - Instead of gathering by hand, it will save time and look much neater if the regulating stitch of the machine is put to the largest and the garment machined twice that is, close to the edge, and about a quarter of an inch below. To draw up pull both cottons carefully on the right side, and the under cotton will regulate itself. It will be found this method needs no stroking, and lies flatter by doing two rows. Gauging can be done in the same way, as many rows as are needed. An Insect Destroyer. Hot alum water is the best insect destroyer known. Put _ the alum into hot water, and let it boil until it is all dissolved; then apply the solution hot with a brush to all the cracks, bedsteads, and other places, where any insects are found. Ants, cockroaches, and all - creeping things are killed by it, while there is no danger of poisoning persons or damaging property. .Dry-cleaning Chiffon. « To dry-clean white chiffon brush it carefully with powdered starch and borax. Two parts of the former to one of the latter. Spread the chiffon on some clean surface, and rub it over several times with the mixture, using i a soft cloth for the purpose. It should then be shaken well, to free it of the soiled powder each time, and after: doing this several times fill the chiffon with clean powder and leave it for a day out of the dust; then shake out all the' powder. To Preserve Soles of Boots. -" Take a piece of soft rag, dip it in boiled oil, and rub lightly over the soles and edges. Turn the boot soles upward, and leave for one hour to dry. If this be done once a week, especially when the boots are new, the soles will last much longer, will resist the damp, and not creak. Boiled oil may be obtained at any paint shop. To Make Apricot Jam from Dried Apricots. Ingredients: 21b dried apricots, 3 pints cold water, 41b lump sugar, and loz cooking almonds. Method: Cut each apricot into three or four pieces, and soak them overnight in cold water. . Next day drain off the water from the apricots, put it into a preserving pan with the sugar, and make a syrup add the apricots, also the. almonds (previously, blanched and cut up into strips). Boil until the jam sets, when a little is allowed to cool on a plate. Pour into clean, dry jars, cover with parchment, and store in a cool, dry place. -.... , To Brighten Shabby Leather. - ,<V> The following polish wonderfully improves shabby, leather furniture:Boil half a pint of linseed oil, let it stand until nearly cold, then stir in half a pint of vinegar. Stir until thoroughly mixed, bottle for use. When needed shake the bottle well, pour a very little on a flannel, and rub thoroughly into the leather, turning the flannel as it gets dirty then rub with a soft duster until the polish is restored. * - "--■■/"