KEROSENE THE CLEANSER

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 255, 18 January 1928, Page 7

KEROSENE THE CLEANSER

SOMETHING WORTH KNOWING Kerosene is probably the cheapest as well as the most useful cleansing agent in the housewife’s equipment. Its firmest adherents declare that it will clean anything, and, although this is rather overstating the case, it is safe to say that it can be used on anything j except cloth or bare boards with complete success. And even then there are exceptions, for a. teaspoonful of kerosene in the copper will make clothes beautifully white. It is only when it is applied direct to the material that it is unsuccessful. For general cleaning kerosene is inva taxable. A little placed in a bucket of warm water and used for washing linoleum will clean it perfectly, and leave a dull polish on the surface. It will clean all grease marks oft* tiles, and if rubbed over with a cloth soaked in kerosene, and, when dry, polished with a soft cloth, they will shine beautifully. . Baths and other porcelain or enamelled fitments can be kept clean with a kerosene cloth, and all smell disappears after a few minutes. Care must be taken that only a little kerosene is used, or it will cling to the surface and the usual rinsing with warm water will not remove it. Many people use kerosene for cleaning windows, simply rubbing them with a cloth soaked in the liquid, leaving them to dry, and then polishing with a soft leather. If there are only a few windows, this method takes rather a long time, as the kerosene is slow to dry, but this can be obviated by mixing equal quantities of methylated spirits with the kerosene, and using in the same way. Windows that are cleaned in this way will be found to be avoided by flies, as they dislike the smell of the kerosene, and consequently your windows will not need cleaning so often. Putty on Windows Very often in a new hojse the builders have failed to remove traces of putty around the window panes, and an unsightly smear is left. It is practically impossible to remove this with the usual methods once the putty has hardened, but if it is rubbed with kerosene the putty will dissolve, and the windows will be left spotlessly clean and clear. Soak your floor mop in kerosene, let it dry, and then use it on your floors in the usual way, and they will need far less polishing. A piece of muslin treated in the same way will make a duster that absorbs the dust instead of merely disturbing it, and that will, at the same time, impart a polish to your woodwork. It is most important that it should be thoroughly dry before it is used, as if it is wet it will leave the surface smeary and difficult to polish. Silver, when rubbed with this kerosene duster, will retain its polish, and it is a good plan to keep one by you when you are ironing, for if you rub the irons with it they will keep bright and smooth.

Japanese and lacquer tables can be kept spotless with kerosene, and half a pint of kerosene mixed with half a pint of vinegar is one of the cheapest as well as one of the best polishes for furniture. Only a little is needed, and the results it gives are excellent.

Kerosene is also excellent for exterminating pests of every description. The usual dusting with a kerosene duster will help to keep woodwork free, but if any article becomes infected, paint it thickly with kerosene, taking care to reach every crevice. Repeat this several times. After the article has been allowed to dry, it can be polished with a soft cloth. A very old clock which has become infested with Australian borer was cured in this way, and there has been no return of the pest. Treatment should be started the first moment that the borer is noticed.

Even apart from household affairs, kerosene has its uses. Two tablespoonfuls in a basin of hot water will give great relief to tired feet, and pure kerosene will remove obstinate stains from the fingers.—“ Australian Home Builder.”