HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4326, 5 October 1921, Page 3

HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY.

USWUL HINTS. “Asking for oil.” Everyone knows what this means, for those annoying creaks betoken that lubrication is overdue. In the household it should ever be a first duty to attend regularly to .the oiling of not only the sewing-machine, but to alii door-hing-es, door-latches, kitchen scales, and windows.

Twice a year at the least should the door be attended to by touching the hinges with an oiled feather and by dipping the wards of the key in oil, for when the key is turning it spreads the oil .throughout the whole of the lock mechanism.

A small matter, but it saves locks and latches from becoming so rusty and unworkable that they have to be replaced.

Again, at regular give your, window sashes a touch of oil, for this will make them work more smoothly, and the same remark applies to thecasters of beds, chairs, and tables. One of the simplest, cheapest, and most effective methods of sinks and drains is to sprinkle charcoal over, on, and above them, and it has the additional advantage of having no smell. It is also a good plan to hang a muslin bag of charcoal in the larder, for this has a most sweetening and purifying effect. True, too, of* its application to culinary vtesse'ls which re.tain an objectionable smell after use.

And in connexion with kitchen utensils always remember, especially in the case of enamelled ware, to dry them thoroughly by wiping or leaving them upside down for a time. Enamelled articles are very prone to rust, and rust spots have a decided weakness of causing holes, thus rendering the kettle or sauejepan useless and necessitating avoidable expense. The one great drawback to patent leather footwear is its tendency to quickly crack, and,, of course, this means a njew pair, for no self-respect-ing person would wear unsightly boots or shoes. But the' exercise of a little care will keep the cracks away, and affords the utmost wearing life. Once a week,, at least, sponge. well over with clean cold water, wiping well with a soft cloth. Now apply a thin coating of any odd silk remnant. By this plan you will keep your patent leather footwear smart and also save the expense of ffequent renewal.

With ordinary boots you may avoid frequent soling by giving them three successive coats of varnish, allowing each coat, to well dry before repeating. This also renders the boots more damp-proof, of itself a sufficient recommendation, for damp feet are a prolific cause of illness and doctor's bills.

Starch can be usefully employed apart from its ordinary purpose. For instance, when cleaning windows, instead‘of .whitening,, first dissolve a lump of starch in a little water. The effect is much better. For improving the appearance of linoleum wash it over with boiled starch, and this,, when dry, will form a skin on which but little polish is needed to obtain the best results. For silver you will discover that powdered starch is excellent, and for cleaning soiled-wallpaper just rub it on with a clean soft duster. This will remove all stains and.

spots. Should you be forgetful enough to leave hot ashes on a table, thus causing white marks, -these eyesores can be removed by rubbing methylated spirits in with the aid of a piece of flannel. Follow this by polishing with a soft rag dipped in paraffin. Stains from a carpet will always yield to this treatment: Make a paste of Fuller’s earth with cold water, spread well over, and. then when dry remove the paste and give -the carpet .a good brushing. For dressing leather-covered furniture add about 45 drops of turpentine to half a pint of milk, taking cade,, of course, to remove all dust before applying. Then polish with asof.t duster.

White paint will renew its freshness and. colour if you take a soft flannel, dip this in warm water, wring out,' and then dip in a saucer of clean bran. This combination Removes stains without affecting the paint, and is vastly preferable to strong soap or soda which destroys the enamel gloss. If the steel fittings of your stove become brown through excessive heat, then before the ordinary cleaning rub th|em well over with a rag dipped in vinegar Unless too badly shattered, it is always worth •while to mend broken china. But you should go the right way to work. Get some really reliable china element and then do as follows : Immerse the broken parts in hot water for some minutes. Take out and dry quickly and then, while the chin,a is still warm, apply the cement. Owing to. the heat the cement becomes thoroughly liquid and a. perfect mending results. When silver spoons are used for medical purposes they invariably get stained. To remove these marks they should be well rubbed with a rag dipped in methylated spirit. Follow this by washing them with hot water and soap and then polish In the ordinary manner.