Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 28 December 1911, Page 2665

Domestic

By Maureen.

To Keep the Hands Soft.

Keep a bottle of olive oil on your washstand, and before washing the hands rub a little of the oil well in. Then soap and wash as usual. The oil loosens the dirt and also keeps the skin soft.

After Boiling a Ham

Let it cool in the water in which it was cooked. This helps to make it more tasty, moist, and tender. The same rule also applies to a tongue.

When Boiling Milk.

If you do not. want the cream to rise to the surface and form a skin, pour it as soon as it is scalded into a jug, and let the jug stand in a basin of cold water.

Washing Light Dresses.

In washing white and light-colored dresses that would not stand hard rubbing and only the bottom or hem of the dress and cuffs are really soiled, you will find an easy way to remove the dirt is to soap well the places and then scrub them well with a nail-brush, using plenty of soap and water. Spread the articles out over a clean board and then use the brush. The dirt will disappear like magic, especially if the clothes have been soared in warm soapy water for half an hour.

Carrot Marmalade.

Boil four or five pounds of carrots, which have been washed, but not scraped. Cook until tender, which may take some hours, unless they are very young. Remove from kettle, peel and cut out any dark spots. Run through the ' grmder,' set medium fine, or mash to a smooth pulp with the potato masher. To every pound of carrot pulp allow one pound of granulated sugar, six almonds, the rind of one lemon, the juice of two, and a scant half-teaspoonful of almond flavor. Put pulp and sugar together in preserving kettle, and bring to boiling point slowly. Boil steadily for fifteen minutes, stirring often, as it burns easily. Set it to one side while you stir in thoroughly the grated lemon juice and rind, the almond extract, and the sweet almonds (which have been blanched and cut in thin shavings). ■ Cook all together for five minutes longer, and when cool put in jars and seal. This makes a delicious and unique marmalade. '„',•■

Beeswaxing.

Beeswaxing, as everybody knows, consists of applying a mixture of beeswax and turpentine to a hard floor, or to linoleum or oilcloth. The common way, which is also the most dangerous way, is to begin the operation by putting the turpentine in an old saucepan, and then set it on the stove to heat. Frequently it becomes too hot and ignites, and in the endeavor to put out the flames lives have, been lost, needlessly lost. It is not necessary to make the turpentine hot. Cold turpentine will dissolve the beeswax if only a sufficient time be allowed. The mixture may be made, and let stand aside till required. But if this precaution be neglected, it is better far to use one of the prepared mixtures that are sold for the purpose, than run the fearful risks involved in heating such an inflammable oil. .

Worth Knowing.

Half a lemon dipped in salt and rubbed on discolored ivory knife handles will restore them to their original whiteness.

Copper wire is the best for hanging pictures. It does not rust easily, is moth-proof, and will last for years.

A hot cloth round a mound will help jelly or ices to come out without sticking..

Maurs