HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 May 1938, Page 4

HOUSEHOLD HINTS

Castors on furniture sometimes become loose. To remedy this, turn the article upside down and remove the castor. Pour in melted paraffin wax, replace castor, and leave until the wax has set.

A good idea, when stuffing sheep’s hearts, is to use cocktail sticks to secure the stuffing with. They are neater and better to fix than string.

For washing up a loofah is a much better thing to use than a wire scourer, for the grease does not stick to it, and the loofah is much easier on the hands. When you have bought the loofah, cut it down the centre and divide into six parts; thus it will last longer.

When you are knitting this winter use a pin-cushion to help you automatically count the decreases, increases, and number of rows in the garment you are making. Have a stated number of pins to tally with the increases, etc., to be worked, and just remove the pins one by one at the end of each row.

When heating a fruit or meat pie, place the dish into a paper bag and pin down the folded end. The pie will heat properly, and the crust will be saved from spoiling.

If the ferrule of your umbrella has broken off, an excellent substitute to use is a bakelite top from a small bottle. Use glue to fix the stopper to the bottom of the umbrella, and if the stopper is not the right colour to match your frock give it a coat of Japanese lacquer. Thus, it will match all your clothes.

At the back of baby’s high chair, attach a pad in the form of a tea cosy. His head will be saved many hard bumps.

When trying to judge correctly for a large number of people, and making a dish like a steamed pudding, a good rule is to allow one ounce of flour per person for a steam pudding. For a milk pudding it is best to allow one gill of milk per head and then one extra half-pint.

A good idea to use when decorating a room is to purchase a piece of cretonne in colours to tone with your furnishings. Cut it to a panel about half a yard in width by a yard in length and work over the design in coloured embroidery wools. When finished the panel can be framed in a narrow, plain wood frame to correspond with the furniture. Against a light background the panel looks very effective.