Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 29 June 1911, Page 1217

Domestic

_ BY MAUREEN

The Housewife's Shoes. A good thing for housewives to know is that if wellfitting shoes arc worn when doing work about the house, the feet will be less tired than when loose slippers, which are usually supposed to be restful, are worn, the loose slippers being really wearisome. A Jam-making HintTo make jam or marmalade look clear without skimming it, add a piece of butter the size of an egg about a quarter of an hour before removing the fruit from the fire. The jam will look quite clear, neither will it stick to the jars when turned out for use. How to Wash Fancywork. ; The colors may;be set in pink and other delicate-colored embroideries .by dissolving two tablespoonfuls of salt in a gallon of cold water. Put the articles in this water and let them remain about five minutes, then wash and rinse in cold water and dry in the shade. To Make Flour Starch. Mix three tablespoonfuls of flour into a smooth paste with a little water, then add a quart of boiling water, stirring all the time. While hot, place the article to be starched in the mixture, and afterwards hang up to dry. This will be found not only ever so much more economical, but such an excellent substitute for starch as to be quite surprising to those who have never tried it. A Light and Cheap Sponge Cake. A nice light sponge cake is made by rubbing three ounces of butter into six ounces of flour., into which has been added a pinch of salt and a good teaspoonful of baking powder. Sprinkle, in three ounceg of castor sugar, and mix with an egg and sufficient milk to make a fairly thick batter. Bake in a greased and papered tin from one-half to three-quarters of an hour in a moderately hot oven. A Valuable Hint. Many a piece of household china gets chipped at the taps in the kitchen. A careless hand, or a slight miscalculation of distance may result in a jug with a broken spout or a cup minus a handle, or the damage may be still more serious. To avoid this, cut two small pieces from a garden hose, and slip one over each of the taps at the sink; such accidents are thus prevented, and much valuaide china and glass saved by means of this simple plan. How to Keep a Coat in Shape. When a new coat is purchased, don't forget that for the first time or two of wearing, it should be worn buttoned. The heat from the body will then gradually set it to the figure, and it will not get out of shape afterwards, but, if worn unbuttoned to begin with, it will never look really nice. When not in use always keep the coat on a hanger. Worm-eaten Furniture. Carbolic oil is the best for worm-eaten furniture. Rub it. into the holes as much as possible, and apply two or three days in succession, then again after a few days' interval. It is no use thinking, they are to be destroyed at once, for. they are . most difficult to remove when once they have obtained a footing. This remedy has proved effective where others have failed. Some Useful Hints. White kid gloves _ can be dyed tan-color by dipping them, in saffron water until the desired shade is' obtained. Well wax shoelaces before putting into the shoes, and this will well repay the trouble, for the laces will not then come undone. Garments that are kept folded because of lack of hanging space may be made to forego their partiality for creases if newspapers are laid between the folds. If the insides of boots and shoos are sponged once a week with liquid ammonia, to which an equal quantity of water has been added, much comfort will be obtained to the feet when walking. Jet trimmings that have become shabby and limplooking may be brightened up in-the following way: Mix equal parts of vinegar and water, enough to cover the article, and oak for twenty minutes. Remove and dry in a cool pj,ice. '..-•'.