The Home.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 9, 14 May 1920, Page 12

The Home.

CLEANING GLASS BOTTLES. To clean soiied glass bottles uso strong soda water (warm). If furred as water bottles always become when in constant uso, a small drop of spirits of s&lts (muriatic acid) will soon render them bright. If stained, as with port or elder wine, a teaspoonful of oxalic acid in a quarter of a gill of water instantly cleanses them. French chambermaids adopt a very simple and effeetive method. Before emptying the bottles, put in some pieces of soft paper, shake these in the bot-tle empty, and rinse with fresh water ; the bottles will then keep as bright as possible. Broken egg shells are also exceilent, TO CLEAN A COPPER KETTLE. There are many methods of cleaning copper, but in the ease of a kettle which has been blackened by continued use on the fire the first thing is to remove the black caused by ihe smoke of the coal which has .been deposited and burnt on hard. Remove this with an old knife as far as possible, without scratching the metal, and then soak well in hot water, and rub with silver sand until the black is entirely removed. To polish the copper itself, a solution of oxalic acid is oiten recommended, but a lemon cut in half rifid dipped in salt and rubbed well over the metal will do the work as well, and it not poisonous as in ihe acid. Finish with a leather and whitening, or rottenstone or turpentine, or one of the mimerous metal polishes. Fill the k.ettlc with water, add tablespoonful carbona'e of soda to each quart of water in kettle. Boil the water, and well scrnb the. inside of the kettle with a stiff hrush. Pour out Ihe soda water and fill up with plaiu watei', and boil up again. ! 0 PACKINC; .'^iD CARE OF MEN'S CLOTHESi To pack a bag propcrly is an art, and one which should be cultivated by every man. In packing a dress suit the coat should be folded so that the outside is inside. It should be kept, if possible, in one fold, in the middle of the pack, after the sleeves and wings have been folded, so that they will not he wrinkled. Brown wrapping or white tissue paper, such as is used for putting up bundles in stationery shops, should be placed between the

folds. This prevents the slightest wrinkle and your clothes will come out of the bag without the slightest suggestion of their having been packed. Pyjamas are more handy than nightshirts, especially when travelling. Remember that nothing tends to crease coats so much as hanging them up. Men's clothes should never bo hung. When you go to bed you should take your suit which you have been wearing, shake, brush, and dust it. Afterwards fold the trousers, doubling them at the second waist button, which gives them just one fold down the leg, and preserves the slight crease, now so fashionable, much better than any patented machine. Your trousers should be then thrown over a chair. Your waistcoat folded once, in half, the inside outside, and the coat according to previous directions, and both these garmenfcs laid on the seat of the chair over the back of which the ti'ousers are thrown. Linseed oil applied with a soft cloth is the best polish for dining-tables. A troublesome cough may often be eased by dissolving a small piece of borax in the mouth. Tea-stains come out quicker if imrccrsed in cold water first, theri covered with borax and afterwards dipped in boiling water. Never wash a baby's clothes in water containing soda. This is a frequent source of irritation and chafing, When knives are stained after rubbing them with bathbrick, sprinkle the board with a little carbonate of soda, and rub them on it. Soak a cauliflower prior to cooking it in unsalted water. This draws out the insects. If the water is salted the insects are killed, but remain in the vegetable. Two drops of camphor on your tooth brush makes a good tooth cleanser ; it will also make your gums rosy and'prevent anything like cold sores or affections on your tongue. Carbonate of soda gives instant relief to a burn or scald. It may be applied either wet or dry to thc burned part. It is a mistake to use soda when scrubbing floors and tables. It makes the boards a bad colour. Plenty of soap and water cleanses just as well. Corks may be made air-tight and water - tight by being immersed in oil for five minutes. A cork will fit any bottle if boiled for five minutes previously. Bottled Tomatoes. — Ingredients. — - Two pints of boiling water, a teaspoonful of salt, a teaspoonful of vinegar, tomatoes. Method. — Add the salt and vinegar to the water. Bring to tho boil. Place the fruit in and cook till the skin breaks (about five minutes). Place tho fruit in screw-topped bottles and pour the liquid they were cooked in over them. Stand the bottles in a basin and fill to overflowing. Fasten securely. Must be airtight.