TO THE LADIES

Mt Benger Mail, 28 September 1938, Page 4

TO THE LADIES

HOUSEHOLD “WRINKLES” Among other useful furnishing hints given in this month’s Australian Journal are the following: To remove dents and bruises from your furniture, moisten soft, thin blotting paper in hot water and gently apply heat with an iron. The heat and moisture combined swells the wood, and the dent rises. ’ This would not be possible with a veneer, of course, that being only a thin wood surface finish glued to a wood backing. Slight bruises may be concealed, like slight scratches, with a good furniture polish. As regards scratches on mahogany, these may be retouched with permanganate of potash. If the scratch is to • be polished, rub the spot with finegrade sandpaper or steel wool, then brush away the particles o dust. Roll a small wad of cotton into a soft cloth, wet the pad witli paraffin oil, and then shellac and touch the surface very lightly with a sliding stroke. Don’t lift pad when rubbing, as the air will cloud shellac. To remove water spots, use a few drops of household ammonia, polishing afterwards with oil and a soft cloth.

An excellent polish for unpolished wood is turpentine and linseed oil in equal proportions. This, if applied regularly, gives a beautiful satin lustre, much softer than shellac or varnish, and as slippery as wax. To clean matting use ammonia ;nd cold water. Avoid hot water or much soap, particularly soap containing much soda. To remove grease spots spread either fuller’s earth or dry starch on the stain. Ether or chloroform (keep ether away from fire,) will also serve. Absorb grease by holding a pad under the stain and change this when soiled. Linoleum when much worn can be saved by using varnish of a very good quality and spread very thin. In a much-used room this is apt to crack, however. Carpets, before washing, should be cleaned with the vacuum or beaten. The beating should be done with a flat, rattan beater, as wire or stick beater is hard on the fabric. Don’t shake rugs, as it may fray the ends. Make a heavy lather of shaving consistency, and spread with a sot brush, rinsing off with a cloth dipped in warm water, and doing a small piece at a time. Change the water frequently.—Special service.