HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3598, 10 August 1912, Page 4

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

When a rod is required to be passed through tho hem of a muslin curtain if a finger of an old glove is placed on the rod it will be found to pass through easily, without tearing the curtain.

Those ladies who pursue the useful art of knitting will find the hint below very useful in regard to sox and stockings. "When the work is finished put it in a damp cloth, then, if possible, place it between the rollers of a ringing machine or a- press, taking care to put plenty of pressure on. Leave for 2-1 -hours. When the work is taken out it will bo found to have as nice an appearance as bought hose. * # * When cooking potatoes, put a tablespoon fill of sweet milk into the water in which they are boiled, and they will keep beautifully white. * * * To soften boots or shoes, rub a very little castor oil well into the leather. Any other kind of oil will do, butcastor oil is best, and one needs to use only the tiniest drop, or the leather -will be too :gi;easy to polish. * * * Rut ia teaspoonful of vinegar in the water, and however badly cracked the eggs will not boil out. .y * * * In a mixture of two ounces of salt to a pint of water good eggs will be found to sink, "while indifferent ones will, always float- * «*• * The seats of cane chairs .should bo scrubbed with soap and water, and then isoake-d with very hot -water and dried out of doors, as this will stiffen them. * « -* A tiny pinch of salt will make the whites of eggs whip up much better and l faster. * » • For scrubbing 'floors cold water is preferable to hot; it does not soak into the wood so readily, and consequently dries sooner. The scrubbingbrush must always be- moved up anu down the hoards according to the grain of the wood, and, not across it.

When making pickles, boiL the vinegar, and, when bottled, lay a small bag of mustard on the top of the pickle-jars. This will prevent the vinegar from turning mouldy.

When the shell of a boiled egg dries quickly when taken from the saucepan and looks dull it is fresh.

To remove grease spots from silk, mb with French chalk or -magnesia, then hold the portion which is stained near the lire. Tho grease will be quickly absorbed by the chalk and can be brushed off.

Combs should not be washed, for the

water is apt to split the teeth. An old and fairly ,stiff nailbrush will bo found very useful for cleaning tliom. Work the bristles well in and out between the teeth until all the dirt and fluff’ are removed, awl then wipe the comb carefully on a damn cloth.

Butter four small cups or moulds, sprinkle with parsley,, break an egg into each one, and steam until jiust set. Cut two tomatoes in half, putin baking-tin with a small piece of blitter on each, bake till tender, then place each half on a round of buttered toast. fillip an egg carefuly on top of each tomato and serve on hot dish at once-

To clean the collars of coats, mix a tenspuni’ul of essential oil of lemon with a wine glassful of spirits of turpentine and keep in a tightly-corked bottle. A little of this mixture should bo dropped on a flannel and rubbed ever tlie greasy portion of the collar.

To revive patent leather rub well with a soft rag soaked in olive oil and milk, then i>olish with a soft dry duster. Cream and linseed oil mixed in equal proportions makes a very goodpolish also, and a little Lasts for a long time. * * * A little- carbonate of soda or Id grains of carbonate of magnesia put into a quart of milk will preserve it. Scalding by placing it in bottles or jugs iu cold water and bringing it to the boil will also keep it. If the bottles are immediately corked when taken out of the boiling water the milk will keep some time, but should be used directly the bottles are uncorked.