HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 January 1931, Page 9

HOUSEHOLD HINTS

HUNGS USEFUL TO KNOW TO TEST EGGS To determine whether an egg is fresh, dissolve six ounces of salt, in about half a pint of water. A nerfectly fresh egg dropped into this solution will sink to the bottom. If it is about three days old it will sink just below the surface. Eggs which are five clays or more old will float, while the older the egg, the mote it will protrude from the solution, WASHING DELUSTRED CELANESE Celanese delustred fabrics are distinguished by their matt or dull finish. The yarn from which they are made does not absorb moisture and cannot therefore absorb dirt. Just wash gently in a warm solution of a good flaked soap, following the directions printed on the packet. Rinse out the soap and allow to dry flat on a towel. When dry to the touch, not bone dry, iron on the wrong side with a cool iron. If ironed while damp the fabric will shine. Do not dry thoroughly and splash with water for ironing. The water spots will show. A -LUMP OF SUGAR A lump of sjigar dissolved in the final rinsing water makes laces or fine muslin sufficiently stiff. Placed in. the teapot you are about to put away a lump of sugar will prevent it giving off a mouldy taste when you use it again. A lump of sugar dissolved in your liquid stove polish will give the metal a brilliant shine with about half the labour usually necessary, and the stove will retain its lustre longer. Dissolve a lump of sugar in the water when washing linoleum and oilcloth, it will secure a brilliant and lasting polish. If the floor covering is getting the worse for wear the sugar will brighten tho dingy parts. , When washing cane, wicker and bamboo furniture a lump of sugar in the water will be found excellent for making tho pieces look new,, and it will prevent creaking in the joints of basket chairs. CHAMOIS LEATHER GLOVES There is only one way to wash chamois leather gloves. Use clean warm water and dissolved soap flakes. Squeeze and knead the gloves in this. Rinse in clean soapy water. Pass through a wringer and hang out to dry. Stietcli with°a glove stretcher afterwards. WASHING WOOLLIES Very careful washing is required when dealing with a baby’s outfit, as garments which are allowed to shrink become hard, uncomfortable and tight. When making baby’s garments choose only the softest and finest of flannels and wools. The best way to wash woollies is to immerse them in a warm soapy lather made by dissolving good soap flakes in hot water, and then allowing the water to cool until it is only moderately warm. Squeeze and knead the garments, do not rub them with soap. Rinse in water of the same temperature. Shawls are difficult to wash for, like all woollies, these must bo dried as quickly as possible, but may not be wrung out. After pressing out as much water as possible lay the shawl on a clean towel out of doors, in the sun, if possible, and turn from time to time, being careful not to stretch the wool. Knitted cot and pram covers should be washed and dried in this way also. If they are made of brushed wool they need brushing with the special wire brush sold for this purpose.

CLEANING CARPETS Carpets and rugs soon get dirty, and brushing is not enough to keep them clean. They want washing from time to time. A good way of cleaning a carpet is to sprinkle some coarse salt fairly thickly over the carpet and brush :t over well. Damp grass is also excellent for the purpose. Another method is to wash the carpet with strong salt and water where it is very soiled. Cocoanut matting may bo cleaned by being given a thorough brushing and scrubbing with hot water to which a liberal handful of salt has been added. WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH AMMONIA A. bottle of liquid ammonia should certainly bo kept in every house, for it is so very useful. Fruit stains can be removed from any material by rubbing the parts with a piece of cloth wrung out in hot water to which a little ammonia has been added. Afterwards press with a hot iron over a damp cloth. A few drops of ammonia added to the water in which lingerie is to be washed enables one to remove the dirt without rubbing the material. If a little ammonia is added to the water used for washing windows, mirrors, and all kinds of glassware the glass will have a brilliant polish. A hairbrush that has become dirty can be cleaned by dipping it several times in luke-wnrm water to which ammonia has been added.