HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 27 July 1929, Page 10

HOUSEHOLD HINTS

THINGS USEFUL TO KNOW TO KEEP FLOWERS FRESH A teaspoonful of carbonate of soda dissolved in the water in which the (lowers are arranged will give them a longer life, Flowers which have been sent through the post can be revived if they are plunged in a deep jug or bowl filled with hot water, and placed in. a cool, dark spot. Leave them there until the water is quite cold. Any flowers which still droop after this treatment should be placed in cold water to which a small lump of camphor lias been added. USES FOR OLD NEWSPAPERS Moths cannot bear tlie smell of new newspaper. There will be no danger of furs and winter clothing being attacked by moths if they are wrapped securely in newspaper. When furniture has to be packed, there is often a danger of chair legs getting scratched. Wrap, these round with newspaper to prevent any harm coming to them. Newspapers placed on the kitchen table when any dirty .job, such as cleaning brass or silver, is being done, will keep the table clean and prevent much labour in scrubbing, etc. If grease is upset on the stove, the surface can be rubbed clean in a minute with crumpled old newspaper. SILVER TRIMMINGS Any silver ribbon, braid, etc., which has become discoloured may be cleaned by covering it with dry powdered magnesia. Leave it for three hours, then rub it well with flannel, and brush off with a perfectly clean plate brush. TO KEEP SPONGES IN GOOD CONDITION To clean sponges, rinse them in clean water, squeeze out all the moisture, then soak them for an hour in one pint of water to which the juice of one lemon has been added. Squeeze under

this liquid till clean, rinse well in clean water, then dry out of doors. To preserve sponges, never leave them in soapy water, and after use they should he well rinsed, squeezed and hung up to dry. Should the sponges be soapy and greasy, before cleaning soak in strong salt and water, then rinse and afterwards soak in the lemon juice and water. TO STORE AND KEEP ONIONS Dry tho (1( onions well, then singe the roots witli a red-hot poker to prevent premature ’growth. Hang in a dry, cold place, and they will keep for a long time. . T> GENERAL To relieve unbroken chilblains mix in a bottle 1 part of turpentine and ;3. parts of olive oil; shake well and {apply night and morning. If this mixture is used as soon as the chilblains appear they will soon vanish. Warts may be removed in a few days by the application of undiluted peroxide of hydrogen. When very fatigued, wash hands and face in cold water, drink glass of hot water slowly, rest for a quarter of .nil hour, and you will feel very invigorated and refreshed. Old gas mantles are excellent -for polishing spbons. Apply the powder with slightly damp doth. Rinse the spoons in boiling water to which a little ammonia has been added. Rub dry with chamois. . To keep meat fresh in hot weather sprinkle the joint when it comes from the. butcher with borax, then hang it in the safe. Liver and kidneys should be plunged into a saucepan of boiling water for two minutes, then taken out drained and put in a cool place. To prevent greens from smelling while cooking, put a piece of dry toast tied- in a muslin bag in the water. An excellent colouring medium for gra vies is strong cold tea. Many people prefer this to the usual burnt sugar and water, as the tea colours without giving a, sweet taste to the gravy. To mend broken sass and china, melt common alum it) ah old iron spoon over the fire, and apply to the pieces of china or glass. When dry these articles can be wa,shell in hot water, and (lie cement will not melt. If your feet, ache, plunge them into hot water in which a big lump of soda lias been dissolved, ami rest the feet in this for five minutes. Then put them in cold water, well ml) and dry them, dusting with boraeic- powder afterwards. This affords wonderful relief.