The Opelousas courier., 1894-01-27
HOUSEHOLD SECRETS.

HOUSEHOLD SECRETS.
Every houseksld in time comes to
have its own unwrltten laws and ira
ditions, specifics that nave been used
through many years with the same
sure and satisfactory results, and here
is revealed some of those that have
made the domestic machinery Of n
home at least run smoothly:
When pipes or stoves are to be set
away take boiled linseed oil, procu~
rable at any hardware store, and with
a cloth rub it over the iron. Almost
before the work is finished it will have
dried into q smooth var1ish which will
keep the stove bright and impervlous
to damp for any length of time.
For the nickle plate If a stove this
process is reliable: Slack a piece OF
quicklime in a covered kettle with just
sufficient water to cause it to crumble.
While hot add tallow and work into a
past. Cover the bright work with this.
Il can be easily wiped of. Il prevents
all dimming and discoloration what
ever
For renewing black silk there is no
better way than to take the ripped-up
silk, place q breadth upon a white
scrubbed kitchen table, pat it thor
oughly down with q sponge dipped In
ammonia and water until the silk is
wet and stuck smoothly to the table.
Lay one breadth over another, patting
each smooth then leave them to dry.
| No ironing is needed and the silk will
be almost like new,
Oxalic acid is the standard remedy
! for ink stains, but by some perversity
it is never on hand when needed. Salt,
however. is always ready, and it is al
most certain to eradicate the stain
from any wooden article, such as 8
carpet or table cover, if applied at
once. Thrown on q fresh stain it acts
as q magic absorbent. Immediately
brush up the stained salt as lightly as
possible. Then apply fresh and whisk
vigorously. In most cases the stain
wholly disappears. ! know no other
absorbent that will act in this way.
A soap that is invaluable where car
| pets, rugs or WOODEN curtains need
| ~freshening or cleansing is as follows
| Boil for twenty minutes, constantly
stirring, two quarts of water, one-halt
| pound of lump starch, n tablespoon
salt, three bars laundry soap cut fine ;
when the mixture is smooth and free
from humps remove from the fire and
! add one tablespoon of salaratus and
four ounces of ether. Pour into molds
to harden. Rub the soap on the car
pet, then sponge off lightly with q
damp cloth or sponge. The user will
be delighted with the result.
When silk or wooden articles become
slightly soiled, but are of texture too
! delicate to be treated with soaps or
fluids of any kind, the s'buckwheat
| cleanse" is invaluable. In many large
dressmaking establishments part of the
| stock-in-trade is buekwheat -four.
The finger marks that become almost
unavoidable in the sewing are always
carefully brushed with the -four till
no trace remains. Light colored
wooden wrappers for invalids' every.
day wear may be thoroughly brushed
in that way when soiled and kept in
| good condition. This dry cleanse is
I invaluable for delicate silks,
This hint for the home dressmaker
is stolen from the establishment of 8
bright and successful modiste: When
there is a waist to remodel, trim o,
drape, use a pillow as q form" The
modiste referred to has used pillows
for years, each waist finisher having
her own. For the pretty draped waist
without outside darts the Innings are
fitted, stitched and boned, except the
] under arm and shoulder seams, then
hooked around the pillows, which fill
out each curve properly, SO that the
dress material can be correctly draped
on. A more permanent arrangement
in making ones own gown is to take a
fitted waist lining and bone it. sew
pieces on to cover neck and armholes.
fill it carefully with excelsior, then
sew the coverings owe the openings.
One will in that way secure a perfect
model on which to work. Courier
journal. o