Here's Your Answer

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 229, 16 December 1927, Page 4

Here's Your Answer

T ET THE SUN Service Bureau assist you 'with your problems, whether they relate to dress, health and beauty culture, cookery, homecraft, travel, sport or any other of the many things on which we are all constantly needing information. Whatever your particular puzzle may be, we will be glad to give our advice whenever possible. All communications must be accompanied by the inquirer’s name and address (not for publication), and sent to THE SUN “Service Bureau,” Women’s Page, THE SUN, Auckland. Answers will appear weekly in this column. CLEANING ALUMINIUM Would you mind telling me the quickest way of cleaning an aluminium kettle? I feel sure there must be some better method than the one I use—just washing it with hot water. The quickest way of cleaning an aluminium kettle is to rub it over with a damp cloth as soon as the boiling water has been poured out of the kettle. The heat of the metal will clean and dry at the same time, thus saving you much labour. BROWN AND TENDER I wonder if you could tell me how to cook steak so that it is juicy and tender, and still nice and brown outside? As you like your steak tender and yet juicy inside, and just nicely brown outside, try rubbing it over with salad oil before you cook it, to prevent the juice from running out. You will be delighted with the result. SAVING SCUTTLES My coal-scuttles are constantly wearing out at the bottom. Is there any way of preventing this? It seems such a shame to have to throw away a perfectly good article just because it’s worn out in one place. I quite agree with you. It is a shame to have to throw away things that are not completely worn out. But you can easily prolong the life of your coalscuttle if you just glue an odd piece of linoleum, the thicker the better, and cut to fit into the lowpr part of the scuttle. For a circular or helmetshaped coal-box, a piece of linoleum a few inches larger in circumference that the bottom of the scuttle should be obtained, and a few cuts made round the edge with a sharp knife. TO LACQUER Is it very difficult to lacquer brass taps over, and what sort of paint should I use?

Preparations of celluloid can be used with success to lacquer brass and other metals. It is not difficult to do. providing that you take care to have the metal well cleaned and polished before you start, and that you do the lacquering in a warm dry atmosphere. Also, you should remember to use a perfectly dry brush.