Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 7 December 1911, Page 2497

Domestic

By Maureen.

To Keep Food Free from Flies. It is a good plan to cover the food on the larder shelves m the following simple way : —Buy a few yards of butter muslin, cut it to fit the shelves, and lay it over food. This prevents the flies settling, also dust. Milk and butter must be kept in a cool cellar, or on a stone slab, and the milk should always be covered otherwise it will become a fruitful source of contamination. If fresh meat is to be hung (in a bag) a day or two, brush it over with vinegar. O To Make Stewed Fruit Firm. Some fruits, such as apples, peaches, tomatoes, plums, etc., are likely to become soft in the cooking* strew sugar over them and allow them to stand a few louis. Another method to make them »retain their original hardness is to remove them from the syrup when it has boiled for a few minutes, and then allow them to stand in the sun for an hour or so. Just before use pour the syrup over them. Button-Hole Hint. When making button-holes in the back of a lace less or yoke, it is hard to get them firm enough. Even when they do not fray, they pull and stretch in an ugly way. _ Try sewing fine net or chiffon as well as the facing inside of the hem where button-holes are to be worked. This makes three thicknesses to be worked thiough, and, if carefully inserted- the inner lining will not show. Another way is to cut a double strip of fine lawn the size of lace, hem, and fasten firmly in face. Cut the button-holes through it, work closely, and then cut away close to the work. Uses for Ammonia. Two tablespoonfuls of ammonia in a pailful of water will clean windows better than soap. Nickelsiher objects can be kept bright by rubbing them with a woollen cloth saturated with spirits of ammonia. A teaspoon of ammonia in a quart of water will remove all grease and dirt from brushes and combs. Rinse, shake, and dry in the sun or at the fire. Flannels and blankets are made white and clean, and do not shrink, by soaking them in a pailful of water containing a tablespoonful of ammonia and some suds. Rub as little as possible, and they will be white and clean. Household Helps, , When ironing with gas, place two irons side by side; then put one more on top of each, this will heat four irons on one burner. In using the rind of a lemon for flavoring, remember that it is only the outer or yellow part of the rind that holds the essential oil. If a pancake griddle must be kept hot for latecomers, slip it into the oven, close the door, and when the griddle is needed again it is hot. Orange peel burned in a room will remove any close, foul, odor, and is especially refreshing in a sick room. Place the peel in a shallow pan, and burn for several minutes. Tenuis flannel makes excellent broom bags. If dipped in kerosene oil and dried, they will remove all lint and dirt from the floors, and leave a gloss that can be obtained in no other way.