Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-05-24
HOW TO DEAL WITH GREASE,
Ammonia the HOusekeeper's Friend.

From Our Continent.
contributor to the household column has
lately proved conclusively that the solution of
most household difficulties is to be found In
Bags" These articles of all sizes and all de-
grees of OrnamentatiOn or the want of it receive
everything that has heretofore been in the way,
and leave a clear field for experiment in new
methods and directions. But housekeeper.
discovered in the kitchen Just vacated by the
latest mistress, who had left every pot, kettle
and saucepan plastered with remnants Of the
last thing cooked in them, averred that the
only bag that appealed to her sense of fitness
was one large enough to inclOse kitchen, sauce
pans and Mistress and drop them quietly at the
bottom of the Delaware.
The degree of havoc wrought by a fortnight
of NOrah's administration was inconceiyable to
one who had never known the same experience.
Ills Grease, but living Grease no MORE"
mOaned the mistress. "It's dyed in. So far as
l can judge, Norah took it from the frying pan
by the tablespoonful and made a different pat
tern on each board in the floor, and all that was
left over she fiirted about on walls and win
dows. There are even spots on the ceiling.
What shall do? can't have another servant
come till the place is clean and it never can be
clean. Scrubbing does no good"
No. because hot suds set the grease finally
and efectually. The only remedy for that must
be strictly homeopathic, more Of the same.
Paint the floor two or three times with warm
linseed oil, with week perhaps between each
application, and you will have something much
easier to take care of than the bare pine boards,
which are always nuisance. An oilcloth
would be best, but oil without the cloth will
help matters good deal. And as for paint
and windows and all the rest, the only thing is
spirits
81 haven't any," interrupted the mournful
':Is spirits of ammonia" pursued the I'M
ruffled friend, whose six years of experience
were drawn upon by certainly half dozen I'M
certain sisters in the block. 'Don't trifle You
will find, apd why didn't tell you before, that
ammonia will do half the work fer YOU where
grease is concerned. You want q bottle of It,
1t is much cheaper bought by the quantity, and
ought to be near your sink quite as much as
soap or sapOlio. When pot or pan has had
anything greasy in it ill it partly with warm
ten minutes it can be poured off and the thing
will be not half the trouble to wash, and with
no grease lurking In corners to flavor the next
article cooked in it, Moreover, pouring it down
the sink helps to clean and disinfect the drain
pipe"
"But the paint? Old Oily will attack these
pans, and she never heard Of ammonia The
paint is what troubles me-
"Allow a tablespoonful Of the ammonia to a
quart OF hot water. Two quarts will be enoughs
needs no scrubbing, and every spot will dsap-
pear. Get cloth now and I'll SLOW YOU"
That was Mrs. Blossoms first lesson in using
ammonia, and she needed no other. From that
day to this it has been an unfailing friend, and
NOrah's successor, who though unframed
proved receptive and teachable, never allows
the bottle to remain day untitled. TIE uses
are 80 manifold, the cleansing is 80 absolute.
that it Ii constant surprise to find how little
its virtues are known. It can be employed In
many cases where benZine Is used, and Is far
less dangerous thing to have in the house, ben
zine giving off as soon as the cork is removed
great volume OF Vapor, which explOdeS at once
If gas or lighted candle Is near.
Grease yields to ammonia quite as readily as
to benzine. Dilute very slightly where spots are
to be taken out, using third water and two
thirds ammonia. Wet the spots thoroughly, Law
white blotting paper over them and iron lightly
with warm iron.
Delicate laces are cleansed with no rubbing.
and the consequent danger of thus breaking
meshes. II ten drops of ammonia are added to a
pint of hot suds. Silver receives a higher polish
and keeps clean longer when it is employed.
Where pieces are but slightly furnished add two
teaspOonfuls OF ammonia to quart of hot suds.
and rub each piece with an old nail brush. If
badly discOlOred whiting will also be necessary.
but If cleaned at long intervals with whiting a
weekly washing in the ammonia water will be
sufficient to keep them bright.
Where brushes are to be cleaned nothing is
20 effectual. A pint Of hot water and tea
spoonful Of ammonia are all that is necessary.
Shake the brushes In this till clean; rinse In
cold water and stand them in . hot place or in
the wind to dry. House plants flourish far bet
ter If few drops Of the spirit are added to
every pint OF water used in watering, and where
one has garden 1t Is worth while to use all
waste water in which ammonia has been put
for either flowers or grapevines, the soap being
no objection, but. on the contrary. being also q
good fertilizer. A sponge bath may be made
much more refreshing, especially IN summer.
by adding few drops to the basin OF water, and
In sickness 1t is equally desirable. being disin-
fectant as wei a. cooling feverish skin and de-
stroying any unpleasant odor. Like every
liquid which may do harm, the bottle should
always be plainly marked and labeled, and
always, too, beyond the reach Of little fingers.
With this slight pfecaation no accident need
ever occur, and no ono who has ever te6tud IL