Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 17 November 1910, Page 1901

Domestic

By MAUREEN

Buttonholes in Lace Blouses. Lace blouses are in high favor just now, and simplicity of style is the predominating feature. For this reason they can easily be made at home. The main difficulty is the working of the buttonholes. But this may be overcome by basting a strip of linen inside the hem where the holes are required, and work through the lace and linen together. When finished, cut away the linen. If closely worked these buttonholes will outlast the blouse. Cabbage Water. If not properly disposed of cabbage water causes a very disagreeable odor in the home. Directly it is done with it should be thrown away, and if possible" the water should he poured on to earth, and directly the pot is empty it should be rinsed with clean water. * To avoid the strong smell in the house some people boil a small bit of charcoal with the cabbage. Wet Boots.

It is a great mistake to put wet boots near the fire to dry, for the heat causes the leather to harden and crack. A very good and simple plan is to fill them with dry oats. The grain will absorb the moisture, and in doing so will swell, thus filling the boots and keeping them in shape. Leave the oats in the boots over night, and in the morning shake them out and put in a - bag to dry for future use. A Useful Hint. The expense and trouble attached to curtain or cornice poles may be done away with by adopting the following simple (dan:Get some screw eyes and some thin galvanised iron wire. Screw the eyes at either side of each window and attach the wire through them. Curtains may then be pinned and hooked on to the wire in the ordinary way. . J To Clean a Dark Cloth Skirt. Brush the skirt well, and, to free it from dust, take it out of doors and beat it with a light cane. Then lay it on a table and sponge it, or, better still, go over it with a small stiff nail-brush dipped in methylated spirits diluted with water. Hang 111 the open air to dry, and then press on the wrong side, and the cloth will look as fresh and clean as ever. Scorch Marks on Flannel. The appearance of a flannel is spoiled when scorch marks are left by the iron. To remove them steep the liannel in milk, then cover the scorched part with salt. Let this remain for about half an hour, then rinse the flannel in clean water. Next cut an onion in halves and rub the juice well into the flannel, which will soon be free from scorch marks. Scrubbing Brushes. "When not in use, scrubbing brushes should be put in an airy place bristles downwards. Thus the water will drain out, of them, and they will quickly dry. If laid on their back the water will soak into the wood, loosening the bristles, whether they be glued or wired. To Steady Pictures. . The simplest and best way to keep a picture immovable is to make a small gimlet-hole in the extreme bottom of the frame where it touches the wall. At this point drive a. small brad into the wall, leaving about half an inch protruding. The hole in the frame caps the brad like a socket, and ordinary dusting does not move the picture. Furred Kettles. To prevent the furring of kettles, take a piece of new ml leached calico on. or 6in square.; hem it, place it in the kettle 'the carbonate of lime, otherwise 'fur,' deposited by water m the course of boiling will adhere to the calico Inch should be taken out and renewed about twice a "more .iti™ ÜB ° m Ca,lC °' » S tIIG **«*> Chores to Concerning Boiled Milk. In summer when it is beneficial for children to have then milk boiled the skin which rises to the top is of ten disagreeable to them This skin may be prevented if „ soon as the milk is boiled, the vessel containing "is no? into cold water until the milk -is cold. There is not th« slightest skin formed then. not the Steel Crates and Fire Irons. ' It is a difficult matter, especiallv in summer timo +« keep steel irons and grates bright and ire from ru t 'ln excellent way is t.p first clean tliem well wit ,™1 1 bathbrick and paraffin. After polishing wthth s S powdered lime, and well rub the steel with -ifft.' Try state-either with a chamois or soft duster I? will Sve a brilliant polish, and help to prevent rust ■* WIU glVe a