Apples.--Keep in a dry place, as cool as possible, without freezing.
Brooms.--Hang in the cellarway to keep soft and pliant.
Cranberries.--Keep under water in cellar; change water monthly.
Dish of hot water set in oven prevents cake from scorching.
Economize health, time, and means and you will never beg.
Flour.--Keep cool, dry and securely covered.
Glass.--Clean with a quart of water mixed with a tablespoonful of ammonia.
Herbs.--Gather when beginning to blossom; keep in paper sacks.
Ink Stains.--Wet with spirits of turpentine; after three hours, rub well.
Jars.--To prevent, coax husband to your will rather than order him.
Keep an account of all supplies with cost and date when purchased.
Love lightens labor.
Money.--Count carefully when you receive change.
Nutmegs.--Prick with a pin and if good oil will run out.
Orange and Lemon Peel.--Dry, pound and keep in corked bottles.
Parsnips.--Keep in ground until spring.
Quicksilver and white of an egg destroys bedbugs.
Rice.--Select the large, with a clear fresh look; old rice may have
insects.
Sugar.--For family use, the granulated is the best.
Tea.--Equal parts Japan and green are as good as English breakfast.
Use a cement made of ashes, salt and water for cracks in stove.
Variety is the best culinary spice.
Watch your back yard for dirt and bones.
Xantippe was a scold. Don't imitate her.
Youth is best preserved by a cheerful temper.
Zinc lined sinks are better than wooden ones.
Regulate the clock by your husbands watch, and in all apportionment of
time remember the Giver.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 857]
1. Charcoal to Prevent Rust.--Charcoal absorbs all dampness, for which
reason it should be kept in boxes with silverware to prevent rust.
2. A Needle Holder.--A guest of ours kept all her needles in a bottle in
which was a pinch or two of emery. She said that it keeps them always
bright and free from rust, and she finds it much easier to pick out the
needle she wants from the bottle than from a tray.
3. Care of a Scrubbing Brush.--Scrubbing brushes should never be put away
with their bristles upward, for thus the water would soak into the wooden
part and the bristles would soon become loose.
4. In Case of Sickness.--In our home, when hot cloths are needed wet ones
are put in a steamer, and water kept boiling underneath. In this way the
cloths are more easily handled and can be applied as hot as needed.
5. To Tighten Cane-Seated Chair Bottoms.--Cane-seated chair bottoms that
have sagged may be made as tight as ever by washing them with hot water
and leaving them to dry in the open air.
6. For Chilblains.--To relieve the chilblains bathe the feet in warm water
at night, then rub them with castor oil. This method will cure very bad
cases.
7. Paint, Smoked by Kerosene Lamps.--Paint that has been smoked by
kerosene lamps may be cleaned with kerosene, which can afterward be rubbed
off with a clean brush.
8. A Use for Sacks.--Save all salt and sugar sacks; wash and boil them and
they can be put to various uses. Salt sacks are nice to strain jellies
through; are also nice to bake veal or beef loaf in. Sugar sacks make nice
dish-towels.
9. Soap With Stove Blacking.--Use a half bar of laundry soap, and one cake
of blacking. Put in an old kettle with three quarts of water. Boil down
until thick. This will last a year.
10. To Remove White Spots from Tables.--Wring cloths out of very hot
water, lay them over spot and remove quickly. Repeat if necessary. When
dry, rub the furniture with some of the good polish.
11. To Clean Mirrors.--To clean a French mirror which has grown dull, rub
with a cloth soaked in alcohol; follow this by rubbing with a dry cloth.
The dullness will vanish, and the mirror will look like new. This method
is used for cut glass with excellent result.
12. To Whiten Linen.--If you want your table linen to last do not use
bleaching preparations. Use only clean soap and soft water. If the water
is not soft, add a little ammonia.
13. Velveteen for Polishing Cloths.--Old pieces of velveteen that have
served their original purpose should be saved for polishing cloths. They
will answer perfectly the purpose of chamois and save buying anything
fresh. When soiled the cloths may be washed in soapy water and dried in
the open air.
[858 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
14. For Clearing Vinegar.--Should your home-made vinegar refuse to settle,
try this: To each gallon stir in a half pint of fresh milk and let stand
undisturbed for twenty-four hours. The milk will form a curd at the
bottom and all the dregs will settle with it, leaving the vinegar clear.
Pour off very carefully.
15. Uses for Old Velvet.--A bit of velvet is a fine polisher for brass. It
quickly removes the dust from woodwork, or shoes soiled from walking which
do not need reblacking. For dusting a felt hat there is nothing better
than a piece of chiffon velvet. It is also good to keep the bottom of a
silk skirt free from the dirt. One housekeeper even uses a big piece of
old velvet to rub her stove to a high polish after it has been blackened.
16. Removing Warts.--Warts can be removed permanently and safely by an
application of a salve made by mixing common table salt into a yolk of an
egg. Change the application daily, and within the week they will all drop
out.
17. To Save Time by Sewing.--When sewing on plain garments, cut out
several garments at a time, and save time by stitching all the straight
seams, then doing all the basting, etc.
18. To Remove Stains from Blankets.--Stains on blankets and other woolen
materials may be removed by using a mixture of equal parts of glycerin and
a yolk of an egg. Spread it on the stain, let it stay for half an hour or
more, then wash out.
19. Burn from Acid or Lye.--In case of a burn with carbolic acid or lye,
the speedy application of sweet oil or olive oil will give almost instant
relief.
20. To Wash Laces.--To wash delicate or tender laces put the lace in a
fruit jar with shavings of some good soap, cover with warm water, let soak
for awhile then shake, using if necessary several waters, then rinse in
same manner, spread between pieces of muslin and roll up on a bottle or
jar, and leave to dry. They will not be torn in this way and will look
like new.
21. For Cut or Bruise.--Bind sugar and turpentine on the wound or bruise
at once. The healing properties of this simple remedy cannot be surpassed.
22. Lemons; How to Obtain More Juice.--Lemons placed in a moderately hot
oven, for a few minutes will yield a greater quantity of juice than if
used in the ordinary way.
23. Whipping Cream.--If cream does not whip well, add to it the white of
an egg, and the result will be very satisfactory.
24. To Clean Lamp Burners.--To remove the black gummy coating which
sometimes comes on the brass parts of lamp burners, moisten the cloth with
common household ammonia, rub it on sapolio, and apply it to the coated
surface with the aid of a little elbow grease. A bright brassy surface
will soon appear.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 859]
25. To Preserve Hot Water Bottle.--Fill with air, cork tightly, and hang
in a cool dry place. This keeps the walls of the bottle from coming in
contact with each other and prevents deterioration and decay.
26. Sweep Stairs with Paint Brush.--My mother uses a paint brush with long
bristles for sweeping her stairs. With its use the work is more quickly
and thoroughly done than by the old way, because the bristles reach every
corner and crack as a cloth cannot do.
27. Washing Hair Brushes.--To wash hair brushes take a piece of washing
soda, dissolve it in warm water, and stand the brush in it, taking care
that the water covers only the bristles. It will almost instantly become
clean and white. Place it in the air to dry, bristles downward, and it
will be as firm as a new brush.
28. Loops on Towels.--Always have a loop on each end of the kitchen towel,
where a roller is not used. Otherwise all the soil and the wear come on
the lower end.
29. Changing Pillow Slips.--To change pillow slips without scattering the
feathers all over the house, sew up the clean tick, all except a space of
about twelve inches. Take the full pillow unopened and baste one side of
the empty one to the full one. Then with a knife slit open the seam of the
pillow, the twelve-inch space. Quickly baste the other sides together so
they will not come apart easily. Then slowly push the feathers into the
clean and empty tick, and when finished undo the basting and sew tightly.
Soak the soiled ticks in cold water immediately to remove remaining
feathers.
30. Use of Old Linen Collars.--Cut them up into narrow strips and use them
for gas-lighting instead of using wax tapers. They make a steady flame
and do not drip grease.
31. Discarded Toys.--My baby came in the other day hugging to his breast a
toy tin goat. It was evidently one of the discarded playthings of a
neighbor's child. On inquiry I found that the toy had been given to my
boy, and he has taken so much pleasure in this castoff plaything that I
have been saving his old toys and passing them on to other children of the
neighborhood. I have discovered that in their baby hearts these are as
good as new, because they have never played with them. It is nothing to
them that they are not just out of the store.
32. To Clean Silver.--Try curdled milk for cleaning your silverware. Let
the silver stand for several hours in the milk, and you will be surprised
at the result.
33. Removing Stains.--Damp salt will remove egg stains from silver and tea
stains from cups.
34. To Keep Free from Mould.--Jelly and jam can be kept entirely free from
mould by pouring a thin layer of melted paraffin on top. This paraffin can
be saved when the jelly is taken from the glass and used the next season
so the cost is very small.
[860 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
35. Hanging Out Clothes.--The other day I came across a peculiar clothes
bar. It was the same as any other, except that the crossbars had been
removed, and for them ropes had been substituted. The owner told me she
had had her husband fix it for her the previous winter when she was
bothered with salt rheum. "I hang up all the baby's little things,
fastening them with clothespins, right here in the house where it is
warm," she explained. "Then it is but the work of a moment to take the
whole thing out of doors, and there is no fishing around for the tiny
things when my hands are so cold they feel as though they would drop off."
36. A Fine Cutting Board.--I measured the top of my kitchen cabinet, and
had a piece of zinc cut to fit it, allowing an inch for turning over the
edges. My husband tacked it on, and I can cut meat and bread or anything
on it, without harming it in the least, besides using it as a moulding
board.
37. Convenient Place for Stiletto.--It will be found a great convenience
to have the stiletto tied to the embroidery hoop by a ribbon about a foot
long, when that little instrument is necessary for the work in hand.
38. Cleaning Paint and Varnish.--Many housekeepers have been annoyed by
finding their paint and varnish brushes dry and hard. To soften them, heat
to the boiling water point some good cider vinegar, immerse your brushes
and allow them to simmer in it for a few minutes, then wash out in strong
soapsuds and your brushes will be soft and pliable.
39. How to Keep Cookies from Burning.--To keep cookies from burning on the
bottom, turn the baking pan upside down and bake on the bottom of the pan.
40. Non-Sticking Cake Tins.--Cake layers will not stick in cooking if a
little meal is scorched on the cake tins and rubbed off with paper.
41. To Clean Sieve.--Hold a sieve which has been used for straining
oatmeal, tomatoes, fruit, etc., at once under the faucet, or shake it in
enough water to cover it, then slap it, and it is easily cleaned; if it
dries first it is almost impossible to get it clean even by more time and
effort.
42. Washing Clothes.--After the clothes have been soaked a while to loosen
the dirt, spread on washboard, soap, and then rub with a common scrub
brush. The dirt comes out easier and with much less wear on the clothes.
Even when the washing machine is used, this is a help for the wrist bands
that are not quite clean.
43. Discoveries.--When old clothes, like worn-out aprons or waists or
linings come to hand, and are absolutely good for nothing else, cut them
into small pieces, say eight or twelve inches square, some larger, and put
them into a bag or box easily accessible. Then when something is spilled
over on stove or floor, or mess of any kind is made, use these bits for
cleaning up and drop them into the fire.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 861]
44. To Stretch Curtains.--Take curtains while wet and put on a curtain
rod; also put a heavy rod as a weight on the lower hem. Hang one on
curtain at a time at an open window and stretch the desired width.
45. Cleaning Windows in the Winter.--It is a hard task in the winter time
to wash windows in the old way, but if it is very cold, windows can be
cleaned by using "Bon Ami," The same is useful for cleaning bright pieces
on stoves.
46. How to Kill Black Ants.--A request for information as to how to rid
plants and trees of black ants, which was received at the Pennsylvania
department of agriculture's division of zoology, elicited the following
from Prof. H. A. Surface, State Zoologist. You can do this by finding the
nesting places of the pests and making holes into the interior of them
with a sharpened stick like a broom handle and pouring into each hole a
half tea cup of carbon bisulphide. Fill the hole with earth and cover with
a wet cloth or blanket to keep down the fumes and the ants will be
destroyed at once. This is the best possible method for destroying ants of
any kind.
47. Washing Windows.--It is better to wash windows on a cloudy day or when
the sun is not shining directly on them. Before washing, dust them
thoroughly inside and out, then wash the woodwork without touching the
glass. For the glass use warm water, to which add a tablespoonful of
kerosene to each pailful of water used. Dry with a cloth or chamois skin,
wrung very dry; then polish with a soft cloth or soft old newspapers.
48. Home-made Soap Shaker.--A baking powder can with holes punctured in
both cover and bottom, makes a fine soap shaker. Put all the small scraps
of soap in this, and when you wash dishes, just put box and all in your
dishpan and shake about. You will have a nice suds and no soap rubbing off
on the dishes.
49. Cleaning Rugs.--When cleaning rugs first lay them out straight and
brush with a stiff dry scrubbing brush. You will be surprised at the
amount of dirt that is loosened and comes out in this way.
50. Clean Leather Furniture.--A good way to clean leather furniture is to
add a little vinegar to some warm water and wash the leather, using a
clean soft cloth. Wipe with a dry cloth. To restore the polish, mix two
teaspoonfuls of turpentine with the whites of two eggs; beat a little and
apply with a soft flannel cloth. Dry with another cloth and rub well.
51. Ironing Board, Conveniences for.--Try tacking a pocket on the under
side of your ironing board to keep your holder, stand and sheet of sand
paper in.
52. Clean Gilt Furniture.--Gilt furniture can be cleaned with sifted
whiting made into a cream with alcohol. Cover a small space at a time and
rub off before it hardens. To clean brass fixtures rub them with cut lemon
and then wash off in hot water.
[862 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
53. For Tufted Furniture.--For tufted furniture use a bicycle pump to
remove dust. Garments to be stored for the summer months should first be
aired well on a bright breezy day. Brush thoroughly and shake free of
dust. Do not leave clothing out in the air after three o'clock in the
afternoon, as from that time until dark all sorts of insects are seeking
their beds. A trunk or box that has been thoroughly cleaned and sunned and
then lined with fresh newspapers will prove an ideal place in which to
store winter clothing. Sprinkle each layer with cloves and tuck newspapers
well around them, moths detest printer's ink.
54. Clean Linoleum.--To clean linoleum add one cupful of beeswax, shaved
fine, to two cupfuls of turpentine and set on the back of the stove to
melt. When cool it will be thick and ready for use. First thoroughly clean
the linoleum and then apply the paste with a soft cloth. Rub in well, then
polish with a dry cloth, preferably flannel. Linoleum treated in this
manner will look like new.
55. For Broken Needles.--A receptacle for broken needles in her work
basket would be a boon to any woman, and this one which I am about to
describe is very easily made, takes up little space and is really very
convenient, when one is busy sewing and dislikes to get up to take care of
the dangerous bits of steel. Take a little two dram bottle (homeopathic
style), crochet for it a snug covering made of embroidery silk or
silkaline, crocheting it tightly and covering the bottle completely, using
some bright color if desired. When you break a needle just slip the pieces
right through the meshes of silk into the bottle; they will go in easily,
but the holes will close up after them, retaining them in safety till the
receptacle is full.
56. How to Carry House Key.--The pocketless woman often finds it
troublesome to carry a key, especially the house key, when she goes out.
If an old-fashioned split metal ring can be found, use it to connect the
key to be carried to the circular end of a strong, sure acting safety pin,
not necessarily of the largest size. If such a ring cannot be found,
fasten pin and key together with a bit of fine wire, string or thread will
be sure to break just at the wrong time. Then the pin may be fastened to
the inside of the jacket or slipped inside of the shirtwaist band pinned
to the undergarment, or attached to the skirtband and allowed to hang down
outside.
57. A Sewing Room Hint.--Thread will not become knotted so often if the
newly-cut end is put into the needle instead of the other end, which is
already broken.
58. Convenient Addition to Kitchen.--One of the most highly-prized helps
in our kitchen is a bird cage hook, one which can be hung on a nail, and
thus easily changed from place to place. On this when placed over the
sink, I hang macaroni, greens, etc., to drain; and when placed over the
kitchen table, it is an ideal arrangement for holding the jelly bag.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 863]
59. To Remove Candle Grease.--A simple way to remove candle grease is to
scrape off all that will come off in that way, lay over the spot a piece
of heavy brown wrapping paper (butcher's paper) and press with a very hot
iron.
60. Using Silk on the Machine.--When sewing on the machine with silk, it
often unwinds and twists around the spool spindle in a very trying manner.
To avoid this make a hole in a small piece of felt and slip it on the
spindle before the silk is put on.
61. A Shoe Cover.--When packing my trunk for a journey, I have found it to
be a good scheme to use my stockings for shoe covers, this saves the added
bulk of paper, and the shoes will be found less liable to muss up other
things if protected by this clean and handy stocking covering. A stocking
occupies practically no room when drawn over a shoe, and the two together
will be found quite handy to tuck into chinks into which they alone can
fall.
62. To Press Skirts.--An easy way to press skirts is to use a sheet of
paper in place of a cloth; lay the folds, or plaits and in place of
ironing over a wet cloth take a sheet of common magazine paper lay it on
the goods and iron. This presses the skirt very well and keeps the shine
off and will, I think, give more satisfaction than if pressed with a damp
cloth or ironed on the wrong side.
63. How to Attach Holders to Kitchen Apron.--Pin two holders with long
tape at each side of the apron when cooking. They are convenient for
handling hot kettles or dishes.
64. To Pack Music.--An excellent place in which to pack away sheets of
music that are not in constant use is a large box fitted with a hinged
cover and upholstered in cretonne, after the manner of shirtwaist boxes so
much in vogue. Such a box is kept in the hallway of a small flat, where
room is at a premium. The music cabinet was full to overflowing and there
was no closet shelf that could be utilized, as so often happens in an
ordinary house. An unused shirtwaist box was suggested and has been found
to answer every purpose, besides providing an extra seat when such a seat
was desirable. The box seems to fit in as an article of furnishing and the
reason for its being there would never be asked.
65. Pie Crust, How to Bake.--Bake empty pie crusts on the outside of the
tin, instead of the inside, and they won't shrink.
66. Let the Poison Bottle Tinkle.--A wise house mother with half a dozen
little folk needing all sorts of medicines and medical applications, has
purchased in a toy shop a handful of little bells, and when a bottle
containing poison is added to the medicine closet it is adorned with a
bell tied around its neck with a narrow ribbon. No danger with the bottle
thus equipped of taking by mistake, in the dark, the dangerous medicine.
The moment the poison bottle is touched the little bell tinkles its
warning.
[864 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
67. A New Night Lamp.--Mothers who have timid little ones will appreciate
the new night lamp, the apparatus of which may be carried to the country
in a trunk or handbag. This apparatus consists of a small wooden float
through which passes a tiny wick. An ordinary china teacup is half filled
with cottonseed oil, the little floating wick placed in this, and a match
touched to the upright wick. While the sides of the cup prevent thc direct
light of the flame being visible to the person in bed, a pleasant dim
light is cast over the room.
68. Time Saved in Sewing.--In a family of small children there are a great
many buttonholes to be made. A quick way to make them in the everyday
underwear, is on the sewing machine. Sew back and forth, leaving a small
space in the center, three or four times where the buttonhole is wanted,
and cut in the space left, being careful not to cut the stitching. In
making little dresses, or slips after the skirts are sewed up, attach the
gatherer to the machine and gather the top and bottom of sleeves and
skirt. In this way work is quickly done.
69. Stews and Hash, How to Make.--Stews and hash made of fresh meat or
round steak instead of scraps, are delicious. When the steak is to be used
without being ground, select only tender, young, pinkish pieces; otherwise
it will be tough in spite of prolonged cooking.
70. Dusters.--Another good idea about dusters. Do not use anything that
comes handy, but get squares of five-cent cheese cloth or silkoline, fold
a neat hem, and whip it nicely around, then turn and go back the other
way. These materials are the best one can use, as they do not leave lint
behind. Always wash the dusters after the sweeping day. No one can do
clean work with soiled tools; besides dusters ruin the hands.
71. Broom Bags.--Good material for a broom bag or cover is old gauze
underwear. The goods takes up dust very readily, and is easily rinsed out;
or a piece can be thrown away without waste.
72. To Settle Coffee.--An economical and satisfactory way to settle coffee
is as follows: Beat one egg well with an egg beater and pour over one
pound of freshly-ground coffee, mix very thoroughly and no trace of
dampness then remains. The coffee may then be put away as usual, and when
used it will be found as clear as amber.
73. Stocking Tops for Convenient Holders.--For soft, convenient holders
use old stocking tops. Take two thicknesses, cut in squares, bind all
around with some bias pieces left from calico dresses and sew a brass ring
on one corner.
74. Hat Hangers.--It is often convenient to hang up hats, even
"Sunday-go-to-meeting ones." To make sure that everyone will stay hung
up, and not fall to the floor to be soiled or crushed under foot, sew a
loop of narrow ribbon or elastic braid or even shoestring, to the middle
of the lining, making the loop long enough so that it will reach to the
edge of the hat crown when the loop is pulled out. This can be done and
passed over hook or nail or peg, and the hat hung over it, and even if the
hat gets a hard knock, it's a case of "sure on" every time.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 865]
75. To Freshen Bread.--To freshen bread pour cold water all over the loaf,
drain quickly, and place in the oven. When the outside is dry and hot
remove the loaf and it can scarcely be detected from a new one.
76. Renewing Wringer Rollers.--A neighbor rejuvenated a worn-out wringer
the other day by covering the rolls with white felt. She cut the felt so
that it would just come together, not overlap anywhere, and caught the
edges together with close stitches. It bids fair to last her as long
again, and it is certain that just now the wringer does as good work as
any new one.
77. To Prevent Cake Tins Sticking.--Flour the baking tins after greasing
them. If the flour is shaken all over the grease, and the tins rapped, you
will have no difficulty with sticky cakes which break when you try to get
them out. Lard is just as good as butter, for it will not taste through
the flour.
78. Substitute for Chopping Bowl.--When chopping mincemeat, tomatoes, or
large quantities of other fruit, you will probably find that your chopping
bowl is a good deal too small. Get a clean wooden box with a thick bottom,
from your grocer and use it instead of your bowl. You will notice a great
saving of time is effected.
79. Save the Gas.--Cut strips of asbestos paper an inch and a half wide
and long enough to go around the burners of the gas range. Pin together to
form a ring, slip over the burner, and all the heat will be concentrated
where wanted. In this way the gas can be half turned off and the same
results obtained.
80. To Prevent Pitchers Dripping.--Syrup or other liquids will not drip
from a pitcher if a little butter or grease is rubbed on the edge and
under the side of the lip.
81. Medicine Cupboard.--An array of ordinary medicine bottles is always
unsightly, and a nuisance, too, on cleaning days. Have a tiny cupboard
with tight closing door, or a well-fitted curtain, and there is gain in
looks and convenience.
82. To Prevent Tablecloths from Blowing Off.--We had some pieces of brass
chain, and found them splendid to run through the hems of the tablecovers
when in use on the porch in summer. Such "loaded" covers do not blow off
easily, consequently they save quite a bit of annoyance and laundering.
83. To Mark Poison Bottle.--When you purchase a bottle of poison run a
brass-headed tack into the top of the cork. It serves as a marker, and
children will be more cautious of the marked bottle. If the label comes
off or is discolored, the marker remains as a warning that the bottle
contains poison.
[866 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
84. To Remove White Spots Caused by Hot Dishes.--For polishing tables
after hot dishes leave a white spot, take a cloth wet in alcohol, then
have one wet in sweet oil. Do it quickly and spots will disappear at once.
85. Stains from Fly Paper, to Remove.--Almost anything that has come in
contact with sticky fly paper can be thoroughly cleansed by sponging with
kerosene. The odor will soon evaporate if the article is exposed to the
air for a short time.
86. A Use for Ravelings.--In trimming a tablecloth to be hemmed or
stitched, one very frequently has to cut off quite a piece of the linen.
Ravelings from these pieces are invaluable for mending old cloths, and
ought to be saved for that purpose,
87. How to Remove a Glass Stopper.--The obstinate glass stopper in a glass
bottle will yield to a string of seaweed around the neck of the bottle.
Friction, heat, slight outside expansion solve the problem.
88. To Prevent Starch from Boiling Over.--Add a small piece of butter the
size of a walnut when the starch comes to a good boil. This not only gives
a nice, smooth finish and makes the ironing easier, but it prevents the
starch from boiling over.
89. To Hold Sheets in Place.--I worked out a little scheme which has saved
me a lot of trouble and inconvenience, so I thought I would pass it on.
The sheets and bed clothes are constantly pulling out at the foot, so one
day I sewed three buttons on to my mattress with strong thread, and worked
buttonholes in the hems of the sheets to correspond, and since then have
not had trouble with their pulling up in the middle of the night.
90. Hints for Bathing the Baby.--It is a great advantage when bathing the
baby to have all the towels heated before using, as they absorb the
moisture much more readily and are very pleasant and soothing to the
delicate skin. This is also excellent for bathing an invalid as it greatly
hastens the work and lessens the danger of catching cold. It acts like a
charm for the child who dreads a bath, this is usually a nervous child who
does not like the feeling of the towel, on the wet surface of its skin;
complains of feeling damp; and refuses to don its clothing when a less
sensitive child would be perfectly comfortable.
91. A Satisfactory Shoe Polisher.--Not long since I ripped up a velvet
covered hat, only to find the velvet impossible for further use in the
millinery line. A threw it into the big waste basket that stands near my
husband's shoe cleaning apparatus. He caught up the velvet in a hurry one
day to take a spot off a shoe, and now has it laid away as a treasure in
his shoe kit. He says it is the best polisher he ever had, and uses it on
my fine shoes to his own entire satisfaction.
92. Tasty Way of Preparing Beef-tea.--Beef-tea will not prove so
monotonous to an invalid if a different flavoring is used each day, as
dove, bay leaf, or celery.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 867]
93. To Preserve Silk Gloves.--If white or delicately tinted silk gloves
are wrapped in blue paper, then in brown they will not discolor. The
chloride of lime in white paper is injurious.
94. Red Ants to Destroy.--Dry sulphur, sprinkled about in cupboards or
flour chests where small red ants frequent, will rid the place of the
pests.
95. Kitchen Account Book.--I have found a kitchen account book is a very
useful record. I have a small vestpocket note book hanging by a string and
pencil near my kitchen range. A page or two is devoted to each month's
use. The month and year are entered at the top of page. When groceries are
purchased, the date, article and price are noted, and summed up at the end
of each month. It makes a handy, permanent record, showing how long
supplies last, the expense of one month compared with another, and the
monthly average of each year.
96. A Brick Pincushion.--A brick pincushion was a dressmaker's ingenious
way of making easy work of basting and sewing long seams. She took a
common red brick, topped it with a flat oblong cushion size and shape of
the brick, covering the whole neatly with a bright chintz cover. This
standing on the edge of her cutting table was in constant use, and proved
a great convenience.
97. Fruit Stains, to Remove from Hands.--When your hands become stained
from paring fruit or vegetables, dip them in soap suds then rub thoroughly
with coarse salt, and they will become smooth and white.
98. Eyelet Embroidery, Suggestions for.--For some time after I began doing
"eyelet work" I wondered if there was not some way to fasten the thread
after completing an eyelet. A friend of mine showed me a solution of my
problem. It was to leave the last three loops loose enough so that I could
pass the thread back through them after completing the eyelet. Then I
carefully pulled each of these loops down and cut off the thread. This
obviates the necessity of any knots that are so unsightly, and at the same
time, the thread is firmly secured. 99. To Prevent Stockings from Wearing
Out.--Paste pieces of velvet soft side up, into the heels of your shoes,
bottom and back, and you will find your stockings darning reduced by a big
per cent.
100. Needle Sharpener.--I know a woman who always keeps a small piece of
whetstone in her machine drawer for sharpening needles when they become
blunted. It is a great scheme, and saves a lot of needles, as I have
proved to my own satisfaction.
101. Burned Kettles.--If you have had the misfortune to burn your kettle
it may be made smooth and clean by filling it with ashes and water,
leaving it for an hour or so, then washing with clear water.
102. Children's Petticoats.--When making washable petticoats for her small
daughters, a mother whom I know attaches two skirts to one belt, which in
turn is sewed to a little lace trimmed waist. The lower skirt is made of
white cambric, and the top skirt is of swiss embroidery. This arrangement
saves time in dressing the little ones and their upper and lower
petticoats are always of the same length and set evenly.
[868 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
103. Systematic Housekeeping.--A friend of mine who has a six-room
apartment delights in taking care of it in sections, one room a day. On
each of the six days in the week one room is thoroughly cleaned and put in
order. She plans, if possible, to add some little touch of adornment, a
new rocker, or vase, or table cover, or pincushion. In this way there is
always something new to notice and admire, and yet no new and startling
changes and never any accumulation of hard work.
104. To Keep Grape Fruit After Cutting.--When half a grapefruit or melon
is left from a meal, place it cut side down on a china or agate plate, so
that no air can reach it, and the fruit will keep as though it had not
been cut.
105. How to Freshen Nuts.--We had a lot of nuts that became too dry to be
good, and were about to throw them away, when a friend told us of a very
easy and practical way to freshen them. It was this: to let them stand
over night in a solution of equal parts of milk and water, then dry them
slowly in a moderate oven. They tasted so fresh and proved to be such an
economy, that we thought the idea well worth passing along.
106. Measure the Eggs.--Try measuring the whites of eggs for angel food
instead of counting them, for best results.
107. Kerosene Lamps.--A neighbor who has to use kerosene for lighting
purposes told me the secret of her bright lights. After cleansing the
lamps well and trimming the wick she fills the oil chamber, and drops into
it a piece of camphor gum about as large as a marble. It is a very simple
method of securing a splendid light.
108. Baking Help.--When creaming butter and sugar for cake or cookies, add
two tablespoonfuls of boiling water, then deduct this amount from the
other liquid used. Beat hard with a spoon, and the mixture will become a
light creamy mass in one-third of the time it otherwise would take.
109. To Destroy Disagreeable Odors.--The cooking of onions, cabbage, or
frying articles always leaves a disagreeable odor in our house. To get rid
of this I place an old tin over a lighted burner and sprinkle some ground
cinnamon on it. When the tin is very hot I carry it through the house on
the dustpan, leaving behind me the pleasant pungent odor of the spice.
110. The Last Step.--A great many times last winter I had to go into the
cellar to tend to the furnace when it was too light to light a lamp, and
too dark to enable one to see easily. Almost every time I had to feel
around to be sure that I was on the bottom step. One day my husband was
doing some painting in the cellar and happened to think that a little
white paint on that step would help. Now we wonder why we did not think of
it before.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 869]
111. Truth spoken with malicious intent is greater error than keeping of
silence where wrong is meant.
112. Boiled Potatoes.--Boiled potatoes should be served as soon as they
are cooled. To make them dryer, drain off the water quickly, shake them in
a strong draught of air and do not put back the lid of the kettle.
113. To Prevent Ripping.--When hemming table cloths, sheets, etc., on the
machine, try the following plan: Sew the hem as you always do, but when
you come to the end, instead of leaving a long thread to tie it, to keep
from ripping, simply lift the presser-foot, turn the goods around, place
the presser-foot down again and sew back over the same seam again, and sew
about half an inch more. It makes a neat finish and no danger of the hem
ever fraying out.
114. To Mix Corn Bread.--To mix corn bread more easily warm the bowl that
it is to be mixed in.
115. Mending Table Linen.--To mend table cloths and napkins, take the
sewing machine, loosen the tension, lengthen the stitch, place embroidery
rings over the place to be mended, and stitch back and forth closely. You
have a neat darn, easily done. When laundered you can scarcely see it. Do
the same with stockings.
116. Children's Toy.--Save all the empty spools, and when any dyeing is
done in the household, drop the spools into the fluid for a few minutes,
and they will make fine playthings for the children on a rainy day.
117. To Keep Coffee From Boiling Over.--To keep coffee from boiling over
add a lump of butter about the size of a small marble.
118. Sour Milk Pancakes.--We are very fond of sour milk pancakes, and have
often had to go without any in the winter when the weather was cold, just
because the milk would not sour. I have learned to put a teaspoonful of
vinegar in a pan of milk, that I wanted to use for the cakes the next
morning, and find that it never fails me in making the milk sour. Placing
the pan over the register for the night helps matters along.
119. When the Wooden Scrub Bucket Leaks.--When the wooden scrub bucket
leaks pour sealing wax into the crevice and paint on the outside. This
will make it last for a longer period.
120. Rust Spots on Clothes.--Many rust spots on clothes are caused by bits
of soap adhering to the latter when they come in contact with the bluing
water. The discovery has been of great help to me because I can now easily
avoid having these unsightly marks. I merely cut the soap into small
pieces, and tie them in a salt bag I keep for the purpose. With this
treatment the soap dissolves just as quickly but does not come into direct
contact with the clothes.
[870 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
121. Cleaning Stoves.--Before blacking my stove I rub soap on my hands, as
if washing them, letting the soap dry on. When washing my hands after the
work is done, the blacking and the soap come off together easily, leaving
no stain on the hands.
122. Left-Over Peaches.--If there are not peaches enough left from an
opened can to go around, mix them with orange pulp and a little sliced
banana and the family will find them improved.
123. Substitute for Cream in Coffee.--For a substitute for cream in coffee
put a pint of fresh milk into a double boiler and let it come to a boil,
stirring often. Beat the yolk of one egg very light and pour it into the
boiling milk and mix well.
124. Cooking cauliflower.--Soak cauliflower an hour before cooking. Put
into boiling water to which a tablespoonful of salt is added. Boil from
twenty to thirty minutes according to size of the head.
125. Uses for Child's Broom.--A child's broom should find place in the
bath room. It can be kept in the clothes hamper, and will be useful in
sweeping under the bath-tub.
126. Dish Cloths.--Dish cloths are often neglected. They should be kept
scrupulously clean, and in order that they may be so they should be washed
out carefully with soap, and well rinsed each time they have been used.
After this has been done they may be hung in the air to dry. Some people,
however, like to have a stone jar containing a solution of soda by the
sink and to keep the dish cloths in it when not in use.
127. Watch for the wishes of the customers and not the hands of the clock,
and some day you will have your boss's job.
128. We judge our neighbor as queer and eccentric, but with the same
measure comes back his judgment of us.
129. Uses for Men's Worn Out Collars.--Men's collars when worn out, can be
opened and bound together as a memorandum book which can be laundered each
Monday.
130. Broiling Meat.--A little salt thrown on the coal flame will clear it
for broiling meat.
131. Combinations of Cherries and Pineapple.--A combination of cherries
and pineapple makes a most-delicious pie.
132. Crepe Paper for Dish Closet.--A pretty effect for the dish closet may
be found in crepe paper. Some prefer white, but a tint harmonizing well
with the china is pretty too. Have it to fall about three inches below
the edge of the shelves and ruffle the edge of the paper by stretching it
lightly between forefinger and thumb.
133. Boiling Rice.--One cook always puts a very little lemon juice in the
water in which she boils the rice. She claims that it keeps the rice white
and the grams whole and separate. It may be worth trying.
134. To Remove Grease from Silk.--Grease may be removed from silk and
woolen clothes by the use of magnesia. Scrape a quantity upon the spot,
cover with a brown paper and place a hot flat-iron over it. The heat of
the iron acts upon the magnesia and when the iron and the paper are
removed and the magnesia brushed off the spot will have disappeared.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 871]
135. Hemstitching.--When hemstitching wears out, take serpentine braid and
stitch it across twice on the sewing machine. This makes the hem look neat
and last a long time.
136. Moths.--When moths get into dresser drawers, sweep them clean, expose
the wood to the sunlight and with an atomizer spray turpentine where the
pests are liable to be. A lighted match or sulphur candle will kill them.
137. To Remove Putty.--To remove putty, rub a red hot poker over it, and
cut off the putty with a steel knife.
138. New Method for Sprinkling Clothes.--Turn the nozzle of the hose to a
fine spray and sprinkle the clothes while they are on the line; a very
quick and good method. All plain pieces may then be rolled up and laid in
the basket as they are taken down, while starched articles need but a
little further hand sprinkling on portions not exposed.
139. To Open Packages of Breakfast Food.--To open packages of breakfast
food and keep boxes in a dust proof condition until empty, make an opening
in the side of box close to top by forcing a tablespoon through cardboard
and turn flap downwards. The flap will fit back snugly in place each time
package is used.
140. Preparing Oranges for the Table.--In preparing oranges for the table
take a sharp knife, cut the skin straight around, insert the handle of a
spoon turned over flat to fit the orange and loosen shell by forcing spoon
to within one-half inch of the end, around one side, then the other, after
which cut the orange through the center, making two parts. Then turn the
skin back in cup form, making a pretty decoration for the table and
serving as handles. Always serve in halves.
141. To Make a Muddy Skirt Wash Easily.--To make a muddy skirt wash easily
and look white, take sour milk and dilute with water; soak the skirt in it
over night, then wash in the usual way; the skirt washes easier and looks
white.
142. To Make Stained Water Bottles Clean.--To make stained water bottles
clean and bright, put in salt and pour on vinegar, let stand a few minutes
then shake. Rinse in clear water.
143. Sanitary Window Screen.--Try tacking cheese cloth on the pantry
window screen frame. This admits air that is sifted free from smoke and
soot, before it comes into the pantry.
144. Cheerfulness at Meals.--Cheer during the meals will do away with the
need of digestive tablets. Make it a rule to come to the table smiling,
and continue to smile, though the food does not suit you and everyone else
is down on their luck. Your smile will prove contagious.
[872 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
145. Uses for Stale Bread.--Take stale biscuits and grind them with a food
chopper; toast in oven to a delicate brown. Serve with plenty of sugar and
cream. Makes fine breakfast food and saves the stale bread.
146. Washing Lemons.--Always wash lemons before grating them, not only to
remove any foreign matter sticking to them, but in order to remove the
tiny insect eggs so often seen on them in the disguise of black specks.
They may be kept fresh indefinitely, if wiped perfectly dry and placed in
a sealed top glass jar.
147. To Give Vinegar a Nice Flavor.--A small button of garlic in a quart
of vinegar will give it a mysterious delicious flavor, and it will
immensely improve salads or anything in which it is used.
148. If Mice are Gnawing Holes.--If mice are gnawing holes in the house,
rub common laundry soap around the gnawed places, and you may depend on it
they will cease labor in that district.
149. To Teach Darning.--If young girls are taught to darn on canvas, the
method of weaving the stitches is easily explained and put into practise.
150. Bed Sheeting.--Sheeting should never be cut, but should be torn into
lengths, usually two and a half yards for medium beds.
151. Browning Potatoes.--For some kinds of frying the griddle is better
and has a less tendency to grease than the frying pan. Among the other
things potato cakes browned on a hot greased griddle are especially crisp
and delicious.
152. To Keep Bread from Souring.--You will find that light bread will not
sour so quickly in summer if it is not covered when taken from the oven.
This steam is unnatural and should be allowed to escape or it soaks into
the bread, making it clammy and more liable to sour. Let the bread cool
gradually then put a clean cloth in a large stone jar, place the bread in
and cover with the cloth, before covering with the stone, or wooden lid.
This keeps bread fresh and moist from one bake day to another.
153. Never Pour Scalding Water into Milk Vessels.--Never pour scalding
water into milk vessels; it cooks the milk on the sides and bottom of the
vessels making it more difficult to clean such articles. Rinse them first
with cold water. This same rule applies to cleansing of catsup bottles.
154. The Water Pipes in the Kitchen.--The water pipes in the kitchen will
not be so unattractive, if painted the color of the kitchen woodwork.
155. To Brush Fringe of a Doilie.--Do not use a comb for the fringe of
doilies as it pulls out the fringe, but brush it with a nail brush.
156. Wash Suits.--Large buttons should be removed from wash suits before
they are sent to the laundry.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 873]
157. Sewing Machine Conveniences.--Always leave a piece of cloth under the
presser foot of the sewing machine. This will save wear on the machine.
Also it will absorb any drop of oil which might gather and spoil the first
piece of fabric stitched, and will keep the needle from becoming blunted.
158. To Make a Ruffle Easily.--To make a ruffle easily, just above depth
of the ruffle make a quarter inch tuck. Insert edge of ruffle under tuck,
flatten down tuck over the ruffle edge and stitch on edge of tuck. If the
ruffle is desired on very bottom of garment, make a quarter of an inch of
tuck, leaving about half of an inch of goods underneath. Baste and stitch
wrong side of ruffle to wrong side of half-inch piece, about quarter of an
inch from edge. Turn back, making edge come under tuck. Flatten tuck and
stitch on the edge. This will save all the trouble of bias bands, so
dreaded by the dress-maker.
159. Greasing Cake Tins.--In making a cake, grease the tin with sweet lard
rather than butter and sift a little dry flour over it.
160. Making Children's Petticoats.--When making children's petticoats
gather the skirt to waistband before hemming the backs and then turn in
with the hem, and when band gets too small and narrow across the back, all
you have to do is rip out the hem and face back, and the gathers are
already there properly placed; and no ripping skirt from band to adjust
fullness is necessary.
161. After Cake is Removed from Oven.--A cake which has been removed from
the oven should be placed on a wire stand on the stove and the steam
allowed to thoroughly escape from it so as to obviate any chances of it
becoming heavy.
162. When the Top Cannot be Removed from Fruit Cans.--When the top cannot
be removed from a fruit can, if the lid is carefully pried at one point,
so the gum can be caught, the rubber can easily be removed. It is not
difficult to pull the band from beneath the metal cap.
163. Darning.--When darning must be done in the evening it is more easily
done if a light colored darning ball be used.
164. In Pressing a Plaited Skirt.--In pressing a plaited skirt one will
gain time and have more satisfactory results if the plaits are basted
before the pressing is done. Clean the skirt and brush it on the inside.
Next baste the seams, cover with a damp cloth and press on the right side
with a medium warm iron. Dampen the cloth, when necessary and press until
the cloth is dry.
165. Stitching Down a Seam.--After stitching down a seam, press with a hot
iron, and if no seamboard is at hand, it is useful to know that a rolling
pin, wrapped in a clean cloth, will answer this purpose equally as well.
166. The Color Meat Should be.--Meat should be red with the fat a clear
white. The fat besides being white should be firm, and suety, and never
moist. Good meat has very little smell. Bad meat shrinks considerably in
boiling. Meat which is fresh and good does not loose an ounce of weight,
but swells rather, when it is being boiled.
[874 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
167. Buying a New Oil Cloth.--When you are ready to buy a new oil cloth
for your kitchen table, take your old one and cut it up for aprons. Have
it cover the whole front of your skirt, and make a large bib on it, and
you will find, when you are through doing a washing, that you will be as
dry as you were before you began.
168. Galvanized Tub.--The popularity of the galvanized tub due to its
weight and durability, is the cause of a great many people discarding the
wringer on account of their inability to fasten it to the tub securely. If
a piece of heavy cloth is hung across the tub where the wringer fastens to
it, you will find that it will fasten and hold as securely as to the
old-fashioned wooden tub.
169. To Remove Mildew.--Mildew, if not of too long standing, can be
removed by the use of raw tomato and salt. Rub the stains with raw tomato,
sprinkle thickly with salt and lay in the sun. It may be necessary to
repeat the process two or three times.
170. Closed Cupboards in the Pantry.--If there are closed cupboards in the
pantry use them for storing provisions kept in screw top jars. There
should be brass hooks for hanging up all the articles that can be
suspended from the walls.
171. Keeping a House Account.--There are fewer reckoning days if
housekeepers pay cash. If they persist in running accounts for groceries
and other staples they should have a book and see to it that the right
price is put down the minute anything is bought.
172. Chestnuts as a Vegetable.--Chestnuts have considerable food value.
The boiled and mashed pulp may be used as one would use meat or vegetable,
even croquettes being made of it.
173. To Give Starch a Gloss.--A little sugar added to boiled starch will
give a desirable gloss to the clothes when ironed.
174. Apples Cored for Baking.--Apples cored for baking are delicious
filled with orange marmalade and a little butter and sugar.
175. Beating Eggs.--When heating eggs observe that there is no grease on
the beater, as it will prevent the eggs from frothing.
176. If you judge as evil the actions of another, through the judging
comes evil to you.
177. A Toy Saw.--A toy saw may be utilized many times in the kitchen for
sawing meat bones which are too large.
178. If a White Dress Has Turned Yellow.--If last summer's white dress has
turned yellow, put it in a stone jar, cover with buttermilk and let it
stand a day and night. Then wash well and starch with blued starch. This
is better to whiten goods than freezing, sunshine, or the use of borax.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 875]
179. Scorched Food.--A practical cook says: When food has been scorched
remove the pan from the fire and set into a pan of cold water. Lay a dish
towel over the pan. The towel will absorb all the scorch taste sent up by
the steam and the family need never know it was burned.
180. Mutton Chops to Make Tender.--Mutton chops can be made tender quite
as much as lamb, if before they are boiled or fried they are allowed to
simmer in just a little water on the back of the stove. This also makes
the flavor more delicate.
181. Hollowing Out a Tomato.--For hollowing out a tomato, previous to
stuffing, a pair of scissors enables a person to remove all the pulp
without breaking the skin. They are equally useful for fruit salads as the
fine skin which separates the sections of the grape fruit and oranges is
easily clipped off.
182. The Easiest Way to Blacken a Stove.--The easiest way to blacken a
stove is to use a flat paint brush about one and a half inches wide, and a
tin or jar, large enough to receive the brush, to mix the blacking in.
Apply the blacking to the stove as you would paint, and use a newspaper to
polish with, which can be burned. In this way the hands do not come in
contact with the blacking during the whole operation, and unsightly cloths
and brushes, which soil the hands, are done away with.
183. Making Gravies.--For making gravies, thickening of roast gravies, it
will be found useful to have browned flour on hand at all times, which can
readily be kept in a mason jar or any covered vessel.
184. Kitchen Mittens.--Kitchen mittens can be bought in several
thicknesses and sizes for various branches of housework. There are thick
ones, with straps across the wrist to wear when polishing the ranges, then
there are others to put on when scrubbing the sink or floors, and still
thinner ones with chamois cloth inside to use for polishing silverware.
These mittens are a great protection to the hands and finger-nails, and
they really simplify the work to a great extent.
185. To Improve Baked Potatoes.--To improve baked potatoes let them stand
in a pan of cold water for about an hour, then put them in the oven while
wet. This seems to steam them and cook them much quicker.
186. Meat Shortcake.--Give your household a meat shortcake sometimes. Make
the shortcake as you would for a fruit filling, a rather short biscuit
dough, and put between the layers creamed chicken or creamed veal, and
have it served with plenty of gravy.
187. Put a handful of coarse oatmeal in the water bottle and half fill
with water. Let stand half an hour, then shake well and rinse. The bottle
will look like new.
188. Making a Kitchen Apron.--In making a kitchen apron, provide it with
an immense pocket in which can be carried a large dustcloth. Often one
notices dusty places, on the furniture, windows or banisters while doing
the morning work, and the dust-cloth is at hand. Again one has to pick up
numerous little articles to throw into the waste basket and the pocket
holds such articles until the waste basket is reached. It is equally handy
for holding a few clothes pins, while hanging out the clothes; in fact the
large pocket is recognized as something decidedly useful in the kitchen
apron.
[876 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
189. To Make a Neat Buttonhole.--To make a neat buttonhole in thin white
material that is likely to ravel when cut, take a piece of white soap and
apply it to the back of the goods using enough to make a generous coat.
Cut the buttonhole and work; you will find that the work is easily done
and the buttonhole will not ravel.
190. To Mark Scallops.--To mark scallops place your thimble or spool just
outside the circle line and mark around it with a pencil. In this way, any
sized scallop can be made.
191. Delicate Fabrics to Clean.--Delicate fabrics can be cleaned perfectly
by using gasoline with a teacupful of corn meal. The meal scours out all
the spots. Place the meal in a dish, pour gasoline over it, then press and
rub through the hands. Apply to soiled spots, rubbing carefully. Brush out
with stiff brush.
192. When Using a Lap-Board.--While sewing a garment with the material
lying on the lap-board, use glass top push pins to hold the goods on the
board. One pin will oftentimes be sufficient. The pin is very sharp, and
is easily thrust through the material into the board, and leaves a hole
about the size of that made with a needle.
193. To Shape Cookies.--Cookies can be shaped with the bottom of a "star"
tumbler. Flour the bottom of the glass and press it into the unbaked
cookie until the indentions are imprinted upon the cake.
194. Have You Been Hoarding an Old Foulard Dress--One of that kind of
dresses which you liked and hated to part with, but it went out of style.
Get it out, clean it, rip it, and if there is not enough in it to make a
scant shirt-waisted one-piece empire dress, make it into a pretty
shirt-waist, with knife plaiting down the front.
195. To Wash Tarnished Brass.--Save the water in which the potatoes have
been boiled, and use it to wash tarnished brass. It will come out as
bright as new.
196. Sewing Lace.--When sewing two raw edges of fine lace together, like
the tiny lace ruffles on lingerie blouses or dresses, do not fell it in
the old-fashioned way, but place the two right sides together and bind the
edge with the finest thread, making a buttonhole stitch along the edges.
Put a stitch in each mesh, and you will have a neat lace seam which, when
pressed, can scarcely be observed, and it will not fray.
197. Roasted Chestnuts.--Roasted chestnuts are said to be very delicious
when salted the same as peanuts.
198. Mud Stains, to Remove.--Mud stains will disappear from cloth by the
following method of cleansing: After brushing the dry mud away sponge the
remaining stain with a weak solution of ammonia and water. This is
absolutely safe to apply to black cloth. Colored goods, however, should be
sponged with a solution of bicarbonate of soda as the latter does not
affect coloring matter.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 877]
199. Drop Table for Kitchen.--A woman can have a kitchen made in a very
cramped quarter if she provides it with a small work table, and a drop
leaf table attached to the wall. If the stationary table is covered on all
sides with a curtain and furnished with an undershelf, it will hold as
much as a cupboard. Two large shelves will be found very convenient, even
though it will be necessary to mount a chair or stool to reach the kitchen
articles. Usually extremely small kitchens are more convenient than large
ones, in which many steps must be taken.
200. A Convenience for Ironing Day.--The laundress who knows how to take
care of herself has a high stool with rungs for her feet, on which she may
sit when she is ironing the light pieces. It will help reserve her
strength for the next day's work.
201. Quickest Way to Core Apples.--One of the simplest and quickest ways
to core apples for baking is to use an ordinary clothes pin.
202. To Remove Iron Rust.--Tartaric acid will remove almost any iron rust
blemish from material and is excellent for removing yellow marks.
203. The Kitchen Apron.--The kitchen apron should cover the skirt and the
front of the waist, though not necessarily the sleeves, as most house
dresses are made with short sleeves.
204. Cookies, to Keep.--Cookies put in an earthen jar lined with clean
cloth, while they are still hot, and kept covered closely, will be much
more melting and crumbling than if they were allowed to cool in the air.
205. Discolored China Baking Dishes.--Discolored china baking dishes can
be made as clean as when new by rubbing them with whiting.
206. Care of Drippings.--The care of drippings in the kitchen, with the
price of food so high, should receive more attention. In cooking all
meats, poultry, and in making soup the grease should be carefully skimmed
off and saved. Render it out once a week and after a good boiling, strain
through cheesecloth. When cool skim the fat off and use in place of
lard,--except for pie and biscuit.
207. To Mend Rubber.--To mend rubber, use soft kid from an old glove and
paste to the patch the gum of automobile paste. The leather adheres better
to the gum than a gum patch.
208. Cleaning Black Woolen Clothing.--The following is a good recipe for
cleaning black woolen clothing: Dissolve borax in water and saturate a
sponge or cloth in the solution. Wash the greasy spots by rubbing
vigorously, then rinse in clear water the same way and dry in the sun.
This is especially good for cleaning men's coat collars.
[878 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
209. To Prevent Tinware Rusting.--To prevent tinware from rusting rub over
with fresh lard and put in a hot oven for a few minutes before using it.
If treated in this way it will never rust.
210. To Remove Machine Grease.--Cold water and a teaspoonful of ammonia
and soap will remove machine grease when other means would not answer on
account of the colors running.
211. To Keep Cheese From Drying.--Wring a cloth from vinegar and wrap
several thicknesses around the cheese to keep it from moulding and drying.
212. Small Hand Churn.--A small hand churn makes home-made butter and
cheese possible. It is no trouble whatever to make a pot of yellow butter,
fresh and sweet, by the aid of one of these convenient little churns.
After it is made it may be rolled into a delicate little pat and kept in
an earthen jar made purposely for butter.
213. Larding a Piece of Meat.--Larding a piece of meat is a simple
operation, and it is one which will greatly add to the juiciness of the
dish. Cut a piece of salt pork into strips quarter of an inch thick and
two or three inches long. Slip these into a larding needle and draw the
needle through the meat, so either end of the pork will protrude beyond
the meat.
214. To Make Vegetables Tender.--Cutting onions, turnips, and carrots
across the fiber makes them more tender when cooked.
215. Clear black coffee diluted with water containing a little ammonia,
will clean and restore black clothes.
216. To Make Linen Easier to Write on.--To make linen easier to write on
when marking, dip the pieces you wish to mark into cold starch, rub over
with hot iron and you will be able to write without the pen scratching.
217. To Air Pillows.--To air pillows, rip the corner of the ticking an
inch or more. Insert a piece of rubber hose pipe a few inches long, first
covering the exposed end of the tube with strong netting. Sew the ticking
firmly to it and then hang all day on the line, in the air punching and
shaking many times during the day. They will be light and fluffy besides
being thoroughly aired and sweet and clean.
218. Uses for Pea-Pods.--Never throw away pea-pods; they give a delicious
flavor to the puree for the next day.
219. To Remove the Skins of Tomatoes Quickly.--To remove the skins of
tomatoes quickly, put them into a wire basket and sink it quickly into a
kettle of hot water. Do not let the tomatoes stand in the water long
enough to heat through, and plunge into cold water immediately from the
hot. Another way is to rub the skins backward with the blunt edge of a
knife. In this way the tomato does not need scalding, and according to
epicures is more tasty.
220. Dyeing at Home.--In dyeing at home amateurs often make the mistake of
putting the dyed article through the wringer, possibly to avoid staining
the hands for one reason, or perhaps hoping to dry the garment more
quickly. This however, should never be done, for the creases so formed are
most obstinate and in fact, often only disappear with wear, despite all
pressing. Dyed articles should be squeezed and hung out of doors to dry.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 879]
221.--To Save Children's Shoes.--To save children's shoes wash them
occasionally to remove the dirt and old polish, and soften them with oil.
When any part of the sole becomes badly worn, it should be mended at once,
for usually a shoe will wear out at one point more quickly than elsewhere,
and by paying ten or fifteen cents to have that part mended it saves
dollars in time. Gunmetal shoes are preferable for everyday wear, for such
shoes are lusterless and can be cleaned with oils instead of polish, which
is destructive to the best leather, even when sparingly used.
222. A Systematic Housewife.--It is a handy plan for the business woman or
the housewife who has much domestic accounting to do to keep two
calendars, one to tear off day by day, the other to refer back to past
dates when necessary. The reference calendar which can be very small and
inconspicuous should have its special hook on the desk or table.
223. To Keep Candles in Warm Weather.--Keep your candles in the ice box
this warm weather. They will remain beautifully upright through a whole
evening's use, if they are hardened first in this way.
224. Tea Towels.--Keep the tea towels in sight, then have them fresh,
clean, and whole, and hang them on a long metal curtain pole, in a
convenient place, say back of the sink. This is better than placing the
towels on a nail against the wall as is usually done, and it permits them
to dry out quickly.
225. A Spotless House.--A house that is spotless at the price of the
family's peace or of the housekeeper's best self, is the worst sort of an
investment. You, the woman, are of vastly more importance than your
surroundings. If you feel yourself becoming a mere drudge, if your family
is growing away from you mentally, if your nerves are weakening under a
fetish of cleanliness, get time to read.
226. To Keep Flooring in Place.--Strips of moulding may be tacked around
the edges of a room at the baseboard, so as to cover the edge of oilcloth
or linoleum. This holds the floor covering in place and prevents dust from
getting beneath it.
227. Light Colored Wall Paper.--Light colored wall paper may be cleaned by
a careful rubbing with a very clean rubber of the kind which artists use.
If the spot cleaned seems lighter than the surrounding color it may be
toned down by a gentle rubbing with a clean chamois skin.
228. To Keep Canary Seed Away from Mice.--If there are any mice in the
house, the best way to keep the canary from being robbed of its food is to
empty the contents of a cardboard box of bird seed into a quart preserve
jar and cover with a screw top.
[880 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
229. Convenient Scrub Bucket.--The most convenient scrub bucket is light,
and is made of galvanized iron with a wide flaring top. The bucket is to
be fitted with a wire soap tray on the outside, for often the soap is
wasted while floating in the water if there is no convenient place to put
it, while scrubbing. Holes can be punctured in the bucket and the wire
tray fastened on with a heavy cord or a pliable wire,
230. Fruit Stains on Table Linen.--Fruit stains on table linen should be
taken out before the cloth is put in the wash tub. Soap and water will set
the stains.
231. Wicker Furniture.--Do not scrub your unpainted wicker furniture with
soap and water, as it will turn it yellow and ruin its looks. Instead, try
scrubbing it with a strong solution of salt water. If you have pieces that
are so shabby that they must either be painted or thrown away, try the
salt water treatment first. Scrub well and put in the sun and air and dry
quickly.
232. Removing Dirt from Carpet.--Of all the ways to remove dirt from a
carpet, the worst is by the use of the ordinary short brush which involves
the housemaid's kneeling down in the dust.
233. How to Preserve the Household Broom.--The ordinary household broom
will last twice as long, if care is taken of it, as it will if it is just
used anyhow. When it is new, before using it, put it in a pail of hot
water and let it remain there until the water is quite cold. Then
thoroughly dry--in the sun if possible. Always clean it after sweeping, by
dipping in water and shaking well before putting it away and occasionally
give it a thorough washing in hot soda water.
234. A Good Furniture Polish.--A good furniture polish may be made of
paraffin oil and turpentine. Kerosene too is very good, while crude oil
may be used to darken wood that has not been varnished.
235. Delicious Salad.--Seeded raisins cut in pieces, broken nut meats, and
a small part of celery in thin bits make up a delicious salad.
236. To Clean Light Rugs.--Rugs with white or very light ground may be
cleaned by sprinkling with cornstarch, mixed with one-sixth its bulk of
prepared chalk. Let the starch remain several hours and brush it out with
a fine whiskbroom, then hang in the sun and heat well before putting down.
This method is recommended for fine, silky rugs, as it injures neither
tint nor texture and makes a beautifully clean surface.
237. To Light a Closet of Any Kind.--To light a closet of any kind, but
especially a linen closet, the safest thing--next to electricity is a
light clear glass lantern with wire guards outside the glass. Swing it by
a light chain pulley, some little way in front of the shelves. Thus a
touch sends it up or down, throwing the light wherever it may be needed.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 881]
238. To Remove White Marks on Furniture.--A mixture composed of equal
parts of turpentine and linseed oil will remove the white marks on
furniture caused by water. Rub it on with a soft rag and wipe off with a
perfectly clean duster.
239. If Your Paint Has Been Marred.--If your paint has been marred by
careless scratching of matches, try rubbing it with the finest sand paper.
Use a half lemon for removing match marks from paint.
240. To Remove Inkstains from Cotton.--To remove ink-stains from cotton
material, place the stain over the steam and apply salt and lemon juice
which will soon remove the ink.
241. To Clean Plaster-of-Paris.--To clean plaster-of-paris figures, cover
with a thick coating of starch and water, let it dry on the surface and
the dirt will brush off with the dry powder.
242. To Clean Piano Keys.--A cloth moistened with alcohol will clean piano
keys.
243. Washing Veils.--When veils are washed at home they usually come out
quite limber and flimsy. To give them the stiffness add a pinch of sugar
to the rinse water.
244. To Take Candle Grease Out of Linen.--To take candle grease out of
linen, place the linen between two sheets of thick white blotting paper,
and set a hot iron on it, leaving it there long enough for the iron to
become perceptibly cooler. If necessary repeat this until the grease is
removed.
245. Cleaning the Sweeping Brush.--Try cleaning the sweeping brush with an
old comb. It is a good plan, for it preserves the brush and keeps it
clean, and at the same time saves your hands.
246. Bright Wood Berries May be Preserved.--Almost any kind of bright wood
berries may be preserved for decorative use in the winter, by dipping in
melted paraffin and putting away in a cool place until needed. Treated in
this way berries will remain firm and bright for a long time, and may be
used in many ways.
247. Old Wood Work to Keep Clean.--Old woodwork, that is so hard to keep
clean, can be made to look like new grained wood, by first painting it
with cream colored paint to give a body alike, and when dry go over it
with a dark oak varnish stain; with a little practice it can be made to
look like grained wood. The varnish dries quickly and leaves it darker in
some places. Any old furniture can be treated in the same way.
248. To Prevent Chairs Marring the Floor.--One should have all rockers
covered with half rounds of rubber to prevent the scratching of the porch
floor. These rocker tires are procurable at any furniture establishment
and are easily adjusted.
249. Summer Homes.--Some of the wealthiest women are furnishing their
summer homes with rag rugs, instead of the handsome oriental floor
coverings, that are a mark of luxury; and what seems odd to those who
cannot afford to please each whim, the rooms are being repapered with
simple sprigged effects and all evidences of up-to-dateness are being
eliminated, to be in keeping with these copies of the colonial rag
carpets.
[882 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
250. To Destroy Flies.--Flies will get into the house during the summer in
spite of the greatest care. One method of catching and killing them,
without having disagreeable looking fly paper lying around is to prepare a
mixture of cream, sugar and pepper. Put this on a plate and they will eat
greedily of it and die. They will instantly seek the open air and it is
easy to brush them from the screen doors. This is an old method and a good
one.
251. Successful Fern Growing.--A woman who has had her refrigerator placed
on the porch has a long drain pipe to carry off the melted ice, and this
is made to flow right into a large bed of ferns. The cold water in no way
destroys the plants, in fact, they can endure the coldest water, and last
year her ferns grew to an enormous size all due to the daily supply of
water from the refrigerator.
252. Faded Crepe.--Faded crepe can be dipped into a solution of water and
indigo, the water made very dark with blueing for the purpose. Dissolve in
one quart of water, a teaspoonful of sugar. Lift the crepe out, and shake
it and pin it to the bed to dry. As it can not be ironed pin it carefully
over soft muslin with needles.
253. Sweeping as a Beautifier.--The average woman who does her own
housework gets exercise enough, only it is not under the best conditions,
for the air, as a rule, is not sufficiently fresh. If she wants to be
benefited physically, while putting her house in order, let her make it
like outdoors, with the windows wide open so the fresh air can sweep
through the rooms. If necessary she can wear a jacket while making beds
and sweeping, and by the time her work is done she is bound to be in a
healthy glow. If she does not do housework she must go outdoors, and walk,
and indeed, a little walking is desirable even for the housekeeper.
254. Putting Screens Away.--If screens were carefully put away last fall
there should be little difficulty in getting them in place on the first
hot fly-breeding day. The wise housekeeper writes on the top of her
screen, where it is hidden from view by the upper sash, the room and
window where it belongs. She also covers the wires with a coating of
vaselin and stores them in a dry place with a cover thrown over them.
Should the wire have become shabby and rusty looking it can be freshened
up with a coat of paint. If the wires have gone into holes and are badly
bulged, replace with copper wire netting. It costs more than the ordinary
kind, but does not wear out nearly so soon.
255. Attractive Living Room.--The living room is sure to have a cheery
atmosphere if provided with a wooden seat at either side. The wooden shelf
is a good place for the clock, candlesticks, and a few simple flower
vases.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 883]
256. Finger Bowl.--A finger bowel should always have a few flowers or a
leaf floating around on the surface.
257. Raw Oysters.--Raw oysters are further improved by sections of lemon
or sprigs of mint among the cracked ice.
258. Cheerfulness at Meals.--Meals should be something more than the
consumption of food. All work stops at those times and people meet
together. Nothing that can be done should be omitted to make it an
occasion of agreeable interchange of thought and conversation, and when
this is done, not only the body, but the mind and nerves are refreshed.
259. To Keep a Rug from Curling.--The edge of the heavy rug will not curl
if treated to a coat of shellac on the under side.
260. Grease Stains on Silk.--For grease stains on silk, rub the silk with
French chalk or magnesia, and then hold it to the fire. Thus the grease
will be absorbed by the powder, which may then be brushed off.
261. Ironing Centerpieces.--When ironing centerpieces of tablecloths, see
that the iron moves with the straight grain of the cloth. If this method
is followed the circular edge will take its true line.
262. Tucking Children's Dresses.--When hand tucks are to be used on
children's dresses, they should be very carefully made, and the first one
kept perfectly straight to use as a guide for the others. A good way to do
this is to loosen one thread, not to pull out but sufficiently draw it to
show the straight line, and crease the tuck in this line. After the width
of the tuck and space between each is decided use a notched card as a
measure for all the other tucks.
263. A Neat Way to Mend Table Linen.--A neat way to mend table linen is to
darn it with linen threads off an older tablecloth. It will look much
neater than a patch sewed on. It is advisable to keep a piece of a
discarded tablecloth in the mending basket for that purpose.
264. A Good Substitute for a Toaster.--If the toaster is suddenly lost,
you can find a very good substitute in the popcorn popper. It can be held
over the gas or before the coal fire, and the bread will toast in a few
minutes.
265. To Prepare Cauliflower.--To prepare cauliflower remove all the large
green leaves and greater part of stalk. Soak in cold water, to which has
been added one teaspoonful of vinegar and a half teaspoonful of salt to
each quart.
266. Preserving Dress Patterns.--Some women, after they have used a
pattern, just roll it up and tuck it away wherever it happens, and when
they want to use it the next time, it curls up and acts so that there is
no doing anything with it. If they would just lay the patterns out flat
and put them where they might stay that way, all this trouble would be
avoided.
[884 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
267. Lace on Centerpieces.--Lace that is used on centerpieces is not
fulled, but is just held in enough to lie flat. The best way to get this
flatness is to draw the thread of the lace and fasten one end to the
linen, leaving enough to make a neat seam, and then to adjust fullness so
that it lies evenly. When right side is up one cannot see that any
fullness exists.
268. Uses of Mop Handles.--Most women have found the mop handle with the
handy clasp, a general utility tool. There is a great deal of unnecessary
bending of the knees to the household gods. It is a painful attitude, and
work that can be done just as well in a standing position, should never be
done in a kneeling one.
269. Iron Holders Made from Asbestos.--Iron holders made from a piece of
asbestos the desired size, and covered with drilling or heavy unbleached
muslin are light and keep out the heat. There should be a ring or loop
sewed to one corner to hang up the holder.
270. Washing Quilts.--To wash quilts a housekeeper gives the following
directions: Dissolve a bar of white soap in a cupful of water. Run into
your bath-tub sufficient water to cover one quilt; make a good suds, and
put in the quilt, and let it soak for a few minutes. Do not rub, but use
the washboard, top end down, to press or pound out the water and dirt.
Never wring but with the wash-board press out the water. Rinse several
times. When you have pressed out as dry as you can pin the quilt closely
on the line to drain. When thoroughly dry, whip with a carpet beater until
fluffy, before removing from the line. This method is especially fine for
tied quilts. The bath tub is preferred, because of shape and water
conveniences.
271. Shrinking Dress Goods.--Before making the white linen dress skirt, or
any material that is liable to shrink, fold the goods carefully and place
it in a tub and cover with water. Let it get thoroughly wet, stretch the
clothes line as tightly as possible, hang the goods through the center,
and pin perfectly straight on the line. When dry, let two persons stretch
the goods as curtains are stretched, fold it with the wrong side of the
material out and iron double with the seam running through the center of
the goods on the length of the material. In shrinking colored prints add
turpentine to the water, and it will set the color. A teaspoonful is used
to a gallon of water.
272. Fixing Worn Corsets.--For stitching over worn corset stays, a wide
white tape is unequaled.
273. Cooking Breakfast Food.--Don't leave the tin lid on the saucepan if
you start the cereal in the evening for breakfast. It will rust and the
moisture drip into the food.
274. Tough Meat to Make Tender.--Tough meat can be made tender by adding a
teacupful of lemon juice to the water in which it is boiled.
275. To Preserve Pineapple.--To preserve pineapple allow only
three-quarters of a pound of sugar to each pound of pineapple.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 885]
276. Hemstitching Underclothing.--Hemstitching forms a dainty finish for
the household linen and underclothing, but the busy woman often will not
undertake it because of the difficulty of drawing the threads. If a piece
of white soap be rubbed on the underside of the cloth, where the
hemstitching is to be done, the threads may be drawn with ease, in half
the time that is usually required.
277. To Boil Eggs Without Cracking Them.--To boil eggs without the risk of
cracking, hold them in a spoonful of boiling water before immersing them.
278. Save the Basting Thread.--Basting threads, when saved, should be
wound on a spool, otherwise they get hopelessly tangled and are not used
again.
279. Threading Needles.--Thread will knot less easily, if the end that is
broken from the spool is run through the eye of the needle.
280. Measuring Dress Goods.--Do not measure dress goods and laces with a
tape line, as it stretches the material. Use a yardstick.
281. Do Not Use Coarse Thread.--An expert needlewoman says that the reason
why so much embroidery does not look attractive is that too coarse a
thread is used for the work. It is not a bad rule to use a cotton a number
or two finer than is recommended, unless the advice comes from one who
understands embroidery perfectly.
282. Putting in a Temporary Hem.--The hem of a dress that must be
lengthened after it is laundered should be turned perfectly straight and
stitched with number one hundred thread. It can be easily ripped and the
fine threads will not leave the usual stitched lines that one often sees
when a hem is lowered.
283. Serviceable Child's Dress.--A quaint little frock that will be
serviceable, can be made from a remnant of demi flouncing hemstitched on
the embroidered edge. This placed at the hem, of course, and the top is
gathered in Mother Hubbard style into a neck band edged with a little
frill. The sleeves are in bishop style confined with bands trimmed to
match the neck.
284. Convenience for the Sewing Room.--A good sized waste basket should be
continually close to every sewing machine. Then it is easy to form the
habit of dropping all scraps into it just as the scissors make them,
instead of leaving them to litter about the floor.
285. Buttons for Future Use.--When buttons are removed from a dress for
future use they should be loosely strung on a thread before being put in
the button box. This is a time-saver as well as keeps the buttons from
getting lost or several of a set from being used.
286. Basting Long Seams.--When basting long seams, if the edge of the
material is slipped under the machine needle and the needle is lowered it
firmly holds the two pieces, and one can more quickly do the work.
287.--Mending Table Linen.--A woman who is expert in mending table linen
does it in this manner: A piece of linen is coated with white soap, to
make it stiff and the patch is evenly trimmed. This is placed under the
hole in the damask after the edges around the hole in the tablecloth are
soaped and trimmed to remove the rough edge.
[886 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
288. Washing Cooking Utensils.--All the cooking utensils should be washed
with soda immediately after they have been used, which will remove every
trace of grease.
289. To Make Soft Soap.--Soft soap made from half a pound of shaved hard
soap and two quarts of water will save the soap bill at cleaning time.
290. Separate Night and Day Pillows.--If separate night and day pillows
are not used, as is now generally done, the bed will look neater if
special pillow slips are kept to put on over the wrinkled pillow cases by
day.
291. To Keep An Iron Sink in Good Condition.--To keep an iron sink in good
condition, scrub once or twice a week with hand soap and kerosene. Every
night put a little chloride of lime in the strainer and pour through it a
kettleful of boiling water.
292. Steaming or Boiling Pudding.--In steaming or boiling puddings, as the
water boils away add more boiling water. If cold water is added, for a
short time at least, the foodstuff will not be boiling, and this state of
affairs may prove disastrous to the pudding.
293. Cooking Peas.--When cooking peas do not shell them. Wash the pods and
put them on to boil. When they are done the pods will break and rise to
the top of the kettle leaving the peas at the bottom. They have a better
flavor cooked this way.
294. Troubled With Ants.--When troubled with ants in your pantry and
kitchen pour kerosene around on the edge of your shelves and on your
doorstep. They will soon disappear.
295. To Exterminate Roaches.--A housewife says that a few drops of
turpentine sprinkled around where roaches gather will exterminate them at
once.
296. How to Economize on Gas.--More gas is wasted in the oven than
elsewhere. Often one burner will suffice after the oven has been well
heated. It is better to run one burner than to burn two low, as they
frequently go out.
297. Less Noise in Washing Dishes.--If your cook insists in washing the
dishes in the pantry while the family is still at dessert, insist upon her
placing the dishes to drain upon a heavy turkish towel. It will lessen
much of the clatter.
298. A Useful Article in the Kitchen.--A useful article in the kitchen is
a small microscope. Show the cook how to use one. She will be so horrified
if shown dates, prunes, or figs that are germ infested that she will take
special pains in washing them. The microscope is also useful to examine
cereals, cornmeal, buckwheat and other things which unless kept tight may
be unpleasantly infected.
[MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 887]
299. To Restore Freshness to Vegetables.--For the housewife who must
practise strict economy, as well as for her who lives at a distance from
the market, it is well to know that cabbage, celery or lettuce and their
like which have lost the first freshness, may be restored by putting first
into warm water, just comfortably warm to the hand, and after fifteen or
twenty minutes, you will be surprised to note that it will have the
original snappy crispness so much desired. Often the grocer will sell the
second day celery and lettuce at half price. The above method will freshen
same, and may make quite a saving of bills.
300. Worn Brooms or Whisks.--Worn brooms or whisks may be dipped into hot
water and uneven edges trimmed off with shears. This will make the straw
harder, and the trimming makes the broom almost as good as new.
301. Making Over a Heatherbloom Petticoat.--When you make over a
heatherbloom petticoat, do not cut it off at the top and place the drawing
string in again, and do not plait it to fit the band. Instead, place a
band around the waist of the person being fitted, pin the petticoat to the
band, then make large darts at each seam and cut off that superfluous
material that otherwise would need to be put into gathers. It does not
destroy the shape and permits the petticoat to lie smoothly over the hips.
302. The Gingham Apron for the Housewife.--The gingham apron for the
housewife at her daily tasks, especially if the maid is out and she has
any kitchen work to do, is imperative, and she will find the long apron
that buttons over the shoulders the most acceptable.
303. After Cleaning the Sewing Machine.--After cleaning the sewing
machine, several yards of stitching must be accomplished before the
machine runs smoothly and without leaving marks. If you have any long
seams on dark material to sew up, sew them now before attempting any light
work.
304. To Remove Tangled Threads.--No doubt you often have stopped sewing
and patiently picked the threads out of the bobbin under the machine
plate, or around the wheels, for this often occurs, says the Woman's
National Daily. Save time in the future by lighting a match and burning
out the threads, then brush the ashes off and oil the parts.
305. Clothes Rack for Children.--In one home, in the rear hall, is a low
rack on which children can hang their coats, hats and mittens when they
come in from school. The hanger was made with two stout steel brackets and
a curtain pole fitted up with hooks on which the articles were held. On
one end of the pole was hung a whiskbroom, and each tot was taught its
use.
306. To Remove Dust from Any White Fabric.--To remove dust from any white
fabric lay the spot over a tea-kettle of boiling water. Place a cut lemon
over the spot, pressing firmly. Remove occasionally, in order to allow the
juice to evaporate, and the stain will disappear before one's eyes, no
matter how stubborn or how deep set.