HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3693, 30 November 1912, Page 9

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

White kid slices can be cleaned with milk, and should be dusted with Trench chalk after each wearing.

To remove red ink stains from tabio linen, spread freshly-made mustard < > er the stain and leave for about half an hour. Then snonge off, and al! trace of the ink will have disappear?d.

To clean a rusty spring mattress, make a paste of whitening and water, rj. ply to the springs with a brush, ami, when dry, rut> off, using dry wn-.t-wi-i,ig . Polish with a soft duster.

To soften paint brushes which lia/i become dry and hard, heat as much vinegar as required to boiling point, immerse the brushes and allow rhein to simmer for ten minutes, then wash in strong soapsuds.

To prevent the saucepan containing cabbage or cauliflower from boiling over add to the water a, piece of butter the size of a walnut. This will make the vegetables cook steadily, and they will not require watching. ~ * * *

When steaming potatoes, scrub them well, then place in the steamer in their skins. Choked in this way none of the nourishment will be lost.

When slicing bacon, place it with the rind side down and do not cut through the rind. When the slices are cut, slip the knife under them as near the rind as possible. ■

To fill cracks in a floor that is to be painted, cook flour and water, and stir into this while hot, newspapers that have been torn in strips and moistened; add paper until a thick pulp is formed, stirring thoroughly, and put in the cracks like putty. * * *

Glass or china dishes can he kept from scratching a polished wood table by attaching small discs of white flannel or felt to the under surface of the <lisb in three or four places.

The grill on top of some stoves is very small. With the following method the results are better than the ordinary, and food is never scorched. Place the food upon a clean grid-shelf at bottom of oven, resting shelf on the pipes which are pierced for the flames, put browning shelf on the lowest side, place dripping-pan as usual, light gas, and close door. In a little longer than half the usual time for cooking turn the fish or meat, using a toasting fork to avoid burns. The flavor is to ordinary grilling. To make toast it is necessary to place the browning shelf in position and light gas about ten minutes before. This can also be done for ordinary grilling, but it is not absolutely necessary.

Lamp chimneys before being used should be placed in a saucepan of cold water and allowed to boil very slowly for a couple of hours. The chimneys will last twice as long if this is dt>ne.

When cutting new bread and butter, dip the knife into boiling water, wipe it dry. and use immediately. Repent the process from time to time while cutting, and the bread will slice smoothly and can be cut thinly.

* * * To clean papered ceilings, mix two cups of flour with cold water to a stiff paste. Roll into a ball with dry flour and rub the ceiling. As the paste grows dirty dip it in fresh flour, and when finished dust over with a soft duster.

* * *

When cooking vegetables remember that all vegetables which grow above ground should be put into boiling water, and all which grow underground in cold water, with the exception of new potatoes. * * *

It is a mistake to he constantly using disinfectants for the _ house drains; if they are properly laid they only require keeping clean. Once a week remove the tops of the gulley pipes, take a bucketful of boiling water, to which has been added a large handful of soda, and pour down very quickly, with a rush; this dissolves. and breaks away the grease ‘which clings to the sides of the drainpipes.