HINTS FOR THE BUSY HOUSEWIFE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2431, 20 February 1909, Page 9 (Supplement)

HINTS FOR THE BUSY HOUSEWIFE.

A Simple Method for' Cleaning Knives. —-After washing and drying in the usual way take a piece of fine emery paper, about 2in. square, and rub the knife up and down on both sides, which is easily done, by simply doubling the emery paper. When perfectly bright and clean wipe over with leather. This .process takes only a few moments when washing up, anti you have your knives always clean. To Prevent Draught.—Many people -who would otherwise adopt the healthy habit of sleeping with open windows will not do so because they are afraid of encountering a draught. A simple, way to avert the danger is to cut a piece of fine muslin the win of the window, and about six inches deep. Fasten it to the top and sides of the window with drawing-pins, and then open it. This does away with all fear of draught, as the air is slowly filtered through the muslin, and the most delicate person may thus enjoy a supply- of fresh air during the night. It also keeps out the dust. Pencil Marks on White Paint. —• Pencil marks can sometimes be removed from white paint by gently rubbing them with breadcrumbs in the direction of their course (not across), or by rubbing with a slice of lemon or raw potato. In more obstinate cases all traces can be removed with a soft piece of linen moistened with pure turpentine or benzine, taking care to wipe it off quickly with a dry rag afterwards. The polish can bo to the surface by lightly rubbing with a soft rag dipped in a very little pure linseed oil, or by just polishing with a little whiting. If the pencil has left indentation marks they can be got out by laying a piece of felt that has been wrung out of water over the place, then pressing a very hot iron over the felt. A Delightful Bath-Room Mixture.--An excellent provision for every washing stand is a perfumed flannel soap bag, which can he hung up on a nail or dn a string sponge bag over the washing apparatus, and can be used for clean swig the hands. Tho hag should be'filled with a mixture of a pint of bran, half an ounce of almond meal, half an ounce of orris root, and a little pure white soap shredder down finely and sifted well through the powdered ingredients. This makes a delightful mixture, deliciously prefumed and wonderfully soft for the hands after exposure to the sun in hot weather, the bag bein «• tied with a piece of tape when filled, and dipped in the warm water in' which the hands are washed and rubbed over the backs and palms till a soft glow is experienced.