WOMAN TO WOMAN

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 92, 12 January 1935, Page 17

WOMAN TO WOMAN

For Mutual Help

All those readers who require help in any matter of household management, cookery, dress, etiquette. or needlework. are invited to put their problems before us. ■ when every effort will be made to assist them, free ot charge, the only condition being that the fill 1 name and address is given This is not for publication, but lor record purposes only Those requiring a reply by post are asked to send a stamped and addressed envelope. <1 prize of half-a-cro-icn is given each week for the best housewifery hint received for this column by “Woman’s World Competition." The prize of 2/6 goes this week :o Mrs. H. D., Wanganui, who sent the following hint :— Two Useful Hints. (1) Soap.—To those who make their own soap for household purposes 1 recommend the addition of a half-pint of castor oil (such as is used for machinery lubrication and can be bought in large bottles of 14 pints tor 1/6) to each boiling of soap, which is usually made in a kerosene tin and cuts into six large bars. Castor oil i.s an excellent cleanser and helps to induce a fine lather. It also counteracts the harmful effects of soda on the bands. Another important factor is'that the soap never gets brittle or difficult to cut up. (2) To Remove Lettering from Sugar Bags.—There are many uses for hessian bags, and they look much nicer with the lettering removed. As ordinary washing with soap and water will not remove it, soak overnight with kerosene and in the morning, after giving it a brisk rub, boil in soapy water, after which all traces of the printing will have disappeared.—Mrs. H. D.. Wanganui. Second Growth. After having cut a cabbage, make two cuts, crossed, in the stem that is left. In a very short time each of the quarters will produce a small cabbage, which forms a heart and tastes quite as nice as the original.—Mrs. W. S., New Plymouth. Some Useful Hints. (1), It is a good plan to fill valuable china vases <jyith sand so that they will not be accidentally knocked off th? shelf. (2). After washing hairbrushes dip the bristles in milk, and they will be quite stiff when dry. (3) When hanging curtains, instead of running tape in the tops, use elastic. They will hang much better. (4) Potato water will remove tea or coffee stains from tablecloths. (5) If a little peppermint is taken first, a nasty medicine will be tasteless. (G) To make excellent'jampot covers dip rounds of greaseproof paper into very hot starch. Put it over tlie jars, immediately fixing down firmly on the sides. When dry this paper will be like parchment and absolutely airtight. To Wash a'Woolten Jumper. The secret is not to wring it at all. Wash the jumper with a good white soap in lukewarm water and rinse thoroughly in water ofvthe same temperature. Spread the jumper out on a white bath towel, arranging it in the shape in which you wish it to dry. Place on table in the open air, but not in the direct sunshine. When one side is dry, turn) carefully and dry the other—“ Wool,” Ashhurst. • A Drying Hint. When the number of soft collars to be washed is considerable, it is a good plan to have a strip of calico, to the edge of which small buttons are sewn, and peg this at both ends to the line. The collars can then be attached to it by the button-holes, thus avoiding damage and marks caused by pegs. This saves a lot of pegging and unpegging.—Mrs. W., Waipawa. A Jam Hint. Instead of skimming the troublesome froth from boiling jam, stir In :j piece of butter about the size of a walnut five minutes before the jam is finished. The frotli will then melt, and leave the jam perfectly clear.—Mrs. P.8.W., Masterton.

To Freshen a Leather Coat. Take 1 pint of pure, sweet cream and a half-pint of linseed oil. Warm separately, then mix together. Having cleaned the coat, freeing it from dirt and grease, rub it: over with a sponge dipped in the mixture, tiien rub with a soft dry cloth. This preserves the coat, and also gives the leather a polish. —Mrs. F.D., Petone.

Four Coking Hints. A quick way to beat whites of eggs: Add half a teaspoon qf cold water and a pinch of salt to each white and beat fast. (2) When boiling peas, if half a dozen pods are added the flavour and colour will be greatly improved. (3) If potatoes are greased with a little butter before baking they will turn out brown, crisp and nicely glazed. (4) To over-salted food, add a large potato, cut in quarters and cook a little longer. The potato will absorb the salt.—F.N.C., Hinakura.

To Clean Coloured or Doeskin Gloves. Have.ready on the table a clean cloth folded three or four times, a saucer of new milk, and another with a piece of brown soap in it. Take a glove and spread it on the cloth. Then dip a piece of white flannel in the milk, rub it on the soap til! you get off a sufficient quantity, then commence rubbing t-lie glove with it; commence at the wrist and rub lengthwise toward the tips of the lingers, holding the glove firmly wjth the left hand. When botli gloves are cleaned spread them out and put on a line to dry slowly. Pull them out crossways as they dry.—“ Missy,” Wairarapfi.

Marriage Music. Tlie wealth of fine music in the order of'service for the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Kent, was in strong contrast with the paucity of the musical programme at some earlier Royal weddings, wrote a correspondent to an English exchange. At 'Queen Victoria’s wedding Sir George Smart played an organ volnntar.v at the entry and outgoing of lb.' bridal couple and the choir sang two anthems. That was all. Musical arrangements at the marriage of King Edward VII in 1863 were only a little more elaborate, including Handel’s march from “Joseph.” a chorale by the Prince Consort, Hallelujah Chorus, and an anthem in which Jenny Lind took part. It was noted at tlie time that despite the admiration of the Queen and the late Prince Consort for Mendelssohn, his famous Wedding March, though popular at less exalted nuptials, was not given a place in the programme. It was not used at a Royal wedding, indeed, until that of Princess Mtn'J'.