Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 25 September 1913, Page 57

Domestic

By Maureen.

To Clean Rugs. To make rugs look new, the following paste will be found very effective: —Two quarts of water, two cakes of white soap, six tablespopnfuls of ammonia, |lb of borax. Boil these ingredients together until the soap, has melted. Let it cool before applying. Sweep the rug thoroughly, then apply the paste with a scrubbingbrush, rubbing the paste well into the rug. Hang on the line and rinse with the hose until the water runs clean from the rug. ‘ Lacquered Brass. Lacquered brass must not be allowed to get black, but should be cared for in the beginning, while it is still new and bright, and .ensure a longer and brighter existence for it. It should be washed occasionally with slightly warm soapy water, then dried with a clean soft cloth and polished with a clean, dry chamois leather. In damp weather lacquered brass should be well rubbed every day with a clean dry leather. Treated in this way the lacquer can be kept beautifully bright. To Keep Flowers Fresh. The fragrance and freshness of a bouquet can bo retained for many days if the following plan is observed : Arrange the stems loosely in a glass of watery place the glass upon a flat, shallow dish and fill the dish around the glass nearly'full of water, then invert a large glass bowl or fruit jar over the flowers, fitting it evenly upon the dish. The water will rise inside and outside, thus forming an airtight receptacle for the contents. The moisture continually produced inside of the ,bowl envelops the flowers in a mistlike atmosphere which prolongs the life and color to a surprising length of time. Potato Water for Cleaning Silk. Potato water cleans silk of any kind or color. For every quart of water to be used in washing a dress, for instance, pare and grate , one large potato. Put the grated potato into the water, which must be soft water and cold let stand for two days without being disturbed in any way, then very carefully pour off the clear liquor from the sediment into a large, convenient vessel. Dip the pieces of silk up and down in it. Silk must not be creased by wringing it let it hang and drip nearly dry, then lay it flat on one side and then on the other. If necessary to press it, do so between flannel with a moderate iron. ' Grease spots on silk are eradicated by the use of a hot iron and blotting paper. To clean dirty white silk ties rub them with powdered French chalk or magnesia, and when finished brush this off with a clothes-brush. To Mend China. One of the least known, though also one of the simplest and most effective, cements for mending china is white oil color, such as is usually sold in tubes, from which it is squeezed out in the desired quantity. Broken things should always be mended as soon as possible after the accident, but, of course, there are occasions when this is not feasible. Paint the broken parts with the oil, press them in position, tie them together, and the operation is complete. The- only precaution to observe to ensure perfect success is to put the mended article away to dry thoroughly for six weeks after that period, however, neither heat nor cold nor moisture should affect the cement. If, after complete drying, any color remains, having possibly oozed out, it must be carefully scraped off with a knife. If any kind of earthenware utensil is cracked and leaks it can be so treated as to be quite of use again. Put the cracked vessel into a fish kettle or other suitable vessel that will hold it conveniently, covering it completely with cold milk. Set it over a moderate fire, let the milk boil up gradually and nearly boil itself away. When the liquor has been absorbed by one-half, stand the vessel aside and when the contents are quite cold the dish will hold water again. ■ r.