HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 453, 3 April 1912, Page 7

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

Smoking may be indulged in in any room, however dainty, with impunity if a large bowl of fresh water is placed in the room the last thing at night, and allowed to remain there until next morning. The water absorbs the stale odour. Mice hate cayenne pepper ; and if the holes are filled with rags liberally sprinkled with it, and then stopped with mortar in which a little chloride of lime has been mixed, they will not attempt to come through it. Save the water in which the potatoes are boiled for a meal and use it for washing silver. It will keep the spoons and forks beautifully bright, and remove stains in a wonderful way. Even discoloured eggspoons will soon become clean when thus treated.

When scaling fish hold it unler running water the whole time in the way the fishmongers do. This prevents the scales scattering and making a mess in the sink. The right method of scaling fish is to begin at the tail end and scrape towards the head, and not vice versa. Milk-jugs, especially if too narrow to be washed and wiped dry inside, should have hot water and some salt put Into them every day and allowed to stand for five- minutes. They should then be thoroughly rinsed in cold water and turned upside down to drain as dry as possible. When the hair is greasy an excellent wash will be found in soft warm water to which have been added a few drops of liquid ammonia—about a teaspoonful to a full basin of water. Too much ammonia, however, is bad for the hair, tending to make it brittle. Therefore, be chary in the use of it.

Fragrant pollows and cushions.— Have you ever experienced the delicious sensation of being invited, when tired and nerve-weary, to lay your head on a lavender pillow, and having fallen asleep soothed and refreshed by its fragrance ? If not try it.