The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-04-27
COMBS AND HAIRBRUsHBs.
The Care of the Necessary Articles

The ARE of the Necessary Articles
of the Toilet.
1t is entirely safe to say that not one
woman In ten knows how to properly Sc
lect and care for her combs and hair
brushes. This statement is abundantly
borne out by the quality and condition
of the hair-dress.ng implements in daily
use in the average home One Is forcibly
reminded of the sk.t IN the comic papers
on the Family Comb beginning:
Take me up tenderly,
Lift me with care;
I'm aged and battered
And matted with hair.
In the first place there is more than a
little in the buying of combs and brushes.
A very cheap article is sure to be cheap
and nasty" as the English say, and the
imitation rubber and gaudy "celluloid"
combs lose their teeth and break IN two
on the slightest provocation.
A metal comb, even the dainty silver
one, is sure to be more or less rough and
injurious to the hair. The ideal dressing
comb is one of ivory, or, next to this,
one of fine rubber or genuine celluloid.
Fine tooth combs are much less used
than formerly, for their tendency is to
break off and pull out the hair unless
very carefully handled.
The most desirable hair brush is one
of fine white bristles, not too soft and
yielding. There is also a brush called
the Ideal" made of selected bristles
set s.ngly in a rubber air cushion, that
Is especially good for persons having a
good suit of hair a. it penetrates to the
scalp without effort, and is a great aid
in removing dandruff.
The many wire brushes, electric and
otherwise, that had such a sale a few
years ago, have proven to be an abomin-
alton to anyone desiring nice hair. They
break it off, pull it out, and leave the
remnant harsh and rough.
Everyone knows, or should know, that
there is no hair tonic equal to thorough
brushing. A hundred strokes twice a day
with a good clean brush will bring out
more gloss and simmer than can be
gained by any compound from a drug
gist's shelf.
But a clean brush does not necessarily
mean one that has a daily scrub in soap
and water, for nothing is more injurious
to a brush than too. frequent washing.
Once a month is quite often enough to
wash combs and brushes if they are
properly cared for daily. For the thor
ough washing half fill a basin with warm
(not ho) water, put in a teaspoonful of
washing ammonia, and sprinkle through
each brush a large pinch of pearline.
Wash the brush our quickly, rinse in
warm water and dry in the open air.
This treatment will preserve the bristles
firm and unmarried indefinitely.
Combs should be washed quickly and
dried ON a. soft cloth. For daily cleanin
nothing can equal a small nail brush
or an old tooth brush. Remove all hair
from combs and brush them carefully,
drawing the bristles through between
the teeth. After trying this plan once
no one would be apt to resort to linen
threads, pins, or any of the old-time
methods.
Clean hair brushes by removing every
bit of hair and fluff from the fingers,
then brush them thoroughly with the
small brush, wipe off the bristle with a
soft cloth and lay the brush away where
dust cannot reach It,.
Handsome silver and ivory brushes that
might be injured with washing. may. be
cleaned very nicely by careful pruSnlns;
followed BY dipping the bristles in alcohol
and wiping them off several times.
Combs and brushes should always be
kept in a covered case away from chance
of dust and accidental soilure.
The promiscuous use of these articles is
to be regarded with quite as much dig
favor as a Similar use of a tooth brush
would be. For health's sake, if nothing
more, every woman should have a comp
and brush sacred to her own use, ana
kept in good order.
Da.ntiness in the small personal be-
longings is an unfatling mark Of the true
lady. and the first e~ssentia OF daintiness
is perfect cleanhness.-Good Housekeep-
ing.