Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-01
MisfellauepMs.
USEFUL RECEIPTS.

A strong solution of hyposuphite of
soda is said to be excellent for cleaning
silver. .s
= A tea spoonful of powdered borax dis
solved in a quart of tepid water is good
for cleaning old black dresses of silk,
cashmere or alpaca. $50
Butter will remove tar spots. Soap
and water will afterwards take out the
grease stain.
a Black shoes may be bronzed by strong
solution of annihile red in alcohol.
Four parts borax and three parts EPSON
salts, mixed with three or four parts warm
water to one part of the combined SUBJ
stances, is said to form an excellent fire.
proof wash for clothes. 1t should be used
imnediatly after preparation.
Flax x-seed and tallow are eused in Ger
many as stuffing for cushions. One
part of tallow to ten parts of fax-seed are
employed, the mobility of the creased
seed rendering the cushion very soft and
pliable. Ia H.....
Gold bronze for furniture is mixture
of copal varnish mixed with gold color
cd bronze powder. The last is bisulphate
Of tin. 'as7
To prevent moths in carpets, wash the
floor before laying them with spirits OF
turpentine or benzine. t ~
Straw mattings should be washed with
a cloth dampened in salt water. Indian
meal sprinkled over it and thoroughly
swept out will also cleanse it finely
In washing windows, a narrow-bladed
wooden knife, sharply pointed, will take
out dust that hardens in the corners of the
sash. Dry whiting will polish the glass,
which should first be washed with weak,
black tea, mixed with little alcohol.
Save the tea leaves for the purpose.
Grey marble hearths can be rubbed with
linseed oil, and 10 spots will show.
Sprigs of wintergreen, or ground ivy
will drive away red ants: branches OF
wormwood will serve the same pnrpose
for black ants.
Papering and painting are best donein
cold weather, especially the latter. for the
wood absorbs the oil of paint much more
than in warm weather. The oil hardens on
the outside, making coat which will
protect the wood instead of soaking into
it. ts..f. -
Never paper wall over old paper and
paste. Always scrape down thoroughly.
Old paper can be got off by dampening
with saleratus and water. Then go over
all the cracks of the wall with plaster of
Paris, and finally put on wash of weak
solution of carbolic acid. The best paste
is made out of rye flour, with two ounces
of glue dissolved in each quart of paste;
half an ounce of powdered borax improves
the mixture.
An oaken color can be given to new pine
floors and tables by washing them in a
solution of copperas dissolved in strong
I've, pound OF the former to gallon OF
the latter. When dry this should be oiled,
and it will look well for year or two;
then renew the oil. N'S~ p"
Kerosene and powdered lime, whiting,
or wood ashes will scour tins with the
least labor. Spots can be taken out OF
marble with finely powdered pumiee stone
mixed with ver,juice. Cover the spots
and allow the stuffto remain for twelve
hours, then rub clean, dry and rinse. ID 9s
Soapstone hearths are first washed in
pure water and then rubbed with powder
ed marble or soapstonc, but on piece Of
the same stone. =. =
Two ounces of common tobacco boiled
in gallon of water is used by the Chatham
street dealers for renoyating old clothes
The stuff is rubbed on with a stiff brush.
The goods are nicely eleansed, and strange
to add, no tobacco smell remains. 9-s y III
Never use wrought iron instead of steel
simply because ii is more easily worked
and cheaper than the latter; use brass
instead OF gun metal in heavy machinery.
Shellac is the best cement for jet arti-
cles: Smoking the joint renders it black
to match.
Carrells for alcohol may he rendered
perfectly tight by applying inside solu-
ton OF one pound leather scraps and
an ounce oxalic acid in two pounds of
water afterwards diluted with three
pounds of warm water.
A solution of chloride OF iron will re-
move nitrate of silver stains from the
hands.
Unslacked lime is excellent for cleaning
small steel articles, such as jewelry,
buckles, and the like.