HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 99, 26 September 1918, Page 4

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

To remove a cork from a bottle of gum, dip the net I; of Use bottle in hot water and the cork may bo easily taken out. Another good plan, am! an easier one, is to put oil round the cork, as this prevents it sticking. A use for the tops ol old kid gloves. Cut into convenient siss.".l p : oros. and place between two p'w* "' cloth or flannel, machine round edg-s, or bind with braid, anr] jo-.i have n most useful iron or kettle holder. A smoky lamp is often the result of a clogged and dirty wick. Take the burner out of the lamp and soak it in a little strong washing soda and hot water, then dry thoroughly, and the lamp will burn much better. For decanters that have become stained by wine, a very good method is to pour'a little vinegar in them, and also add about a tenspoonful of salt. Allow this to stand for a while, shaking it occasionally, and thou washing with clear water. The same applies to water bottles, which become discolored very frequently. When a pudding is to be steamed and a steamer to fit the saucepan is not available, after putting the pudding in well-greased paper place a piece of paper over the top, and put it in a saucepan with enough boiling water to come about half-way up to the mould, cover closely, and keep the water simmering until the pudding is cooked. Forks and spoons, after being cleaned with whiting, may be placed in a bowl and boiling water poured over them. A little soda should be added, and if the whiting has been well washed off with a dish-mop and the silver properly wiped on a tea-cloth, this method will prove as effective for making it shine as by brushing and shining with » leather, and will also save time. According to experiments made, ammonia fumes destroy the cholera and typhoid fever baccilli in two hours, whilst those of anthrax and diphtheria jure rendered harmless in three anfi "four hours respectively. To disinfeci 'sickrooms, ordinary ammonia is pu) into one or several flat dishes and left to evaporate in the room previouslj hermetically closed. After twelve ;hours there is no further danger from disease germs. This method has tin advantage of costing little and not in< Jurlng curtains, carpets, or paiat. Potato skins polish knives splendidly. If a badly-stained knife, rub the blade of it a few times with a piece of potato peel, then wash it at once with hot soap and water. It will come properly clean. Banana skins put a good polish on to brown boots, and are excellent for the leather. Rub the boot with the inside of the banana-skin, and then polish it with a pad. Lemon rinds are excellent for cleaning the hands, and should always be kept for this purpose. A good plan is to put one into the water-jug, and let it stay there to soften the water. Orange rinds are nice for flavoring rice puddings or cornflour moulds. They give the dish a slight ha% xmusual taste, which is a pleasant ching<j| fgoin lemon or vanilla flavoring*