Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12, 25 March 1909, Page 473

Domestic

By MAUREEN

-'•- >" .' . .A Useful Hint'/; - Save the small pieces of; laundry;, toilet", 'and --bath soap until you have a teaciipful, then put them in a quart of hot. water, and let simmer until dissolved, and you will have a jelly mass to_ wash'- of 'clean the floor with, s When -Knitting with -Light Wool. -. Light yarn intended "for knitting should he kept carefully wrapped up. The ball in. use shoaild" be hung ■ from the arm in' a' bag or a. basket made 'for the -purpose, like a, twine ball- box, with round handles^ and the" finished portion of the work should be protected by- a piece of muslin basted over it to keep it clean. ' - Removing Bruises from Furniture. If the bruise is slight, soak the place in warm water, and hold a red-hot pjoker near the surface of the r wood, keeping it_ constantly' wet ■- until the , bruise disappears. This will occur in -'a few moments. "If '.the -bruise is! large, an actual dent,- wet the place with warm water' as^ before directed. Then take a piece of browns-paper, fold, it mx or seven times, soak jn. warm w:ater, ;: apd place over the spot. Against the paper place a lot fl&t-iron, keeping it thore until the moisture has^evaporat^d. This pr'ooops' should be repeated until the "surface isjagain level. -- Ironing Collars and" Cliffs. When the ironing of- collars and cuffs is done at home, all goods should be dipped into cold starch nearly six hours before, and rolled tight. until ready to iron them. Then rub off all dry starch, and quickly pass the iron over both sides. Press out all wrinkles, working up and down. When no moisture is felt, dampen; a handkerchief, pass it quickly pvor the. right side of collars, etc. Now reverse the iron, lift the point next to you, , and rub the broad edge quickly back and forth from top to bottom of the goods. This is- the secret of polishing. Lay the iron on the collar, catch one end, and pull" from beneath the iron. This curls it into shape. This is also" the method for ironing the cuffs, unless they are preferred flat. ' " Pointers for the Homo. " ■ By rubbing a fresh lemon thoroughly" into:- a" soured sponge and rinsing it several -times in lukewarm water, it becomes as sweet as "when new. Save all baking powder tins; they 'always come in handy' as moulds, either for steamed puddings; jellies, or frozen desserts, and these dishes will always be served most attractively on your table. Borax is a convenient thing to have on the kitchen shelf. -Added to"' the- dishwa.ter in which dish, towels are washed, it will help to keep 'them of good color. "Moreover, by softening the, water it tends to keep hands smooth and white. : „ - Plaster of Paris. Did housewives ■ know . the many uses that plaster, of Paris 'can be put to they would find it a panacea for many worries. "This substance is properly known as gypsum, and has adhesive qualities that can hardly be surpassed, and is use] generally to put together statues that have been cast cut of the .same substance, and out' of chalk. , , It can be used to patch up a break in a" moulding,and can be formed into the same -design , as- the original if the one using it is deft "with fingers. - In putting together crockery it is quite indispensable, for where a crock lias but a large piece broken" off 'it. is worth while putting' together. * - "" . Leaks and cracks in fountains and water troughs 'nay easily be doctored by putting in some of this plastic sub- • stance and allowing it to dry thoroughly before turning on the water. Where a large and valuable picture^ frame has been chipped it is easy to fill up the spot with .plaster of Paris, smooth over carefully, then after thoroughly drying an application of gold paint is^nd; on to match the re^t, cf the frame. . • • Holes in the vail may be - filled up with plaster . of Paris. Mould , a little lump to fill the space, and use a knife as a trowel to smooth it over nicely."