The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-07-21
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS.
Useful suEEe.tiOas ConeernInE Fruit
Stains, Drinking Water,
Insects, Etc-


Protection Against Moths.-A mis-
take that many people make Is the fail
ure to guard against the eggs which
may have been already deposited In the
article put away with such care. Be
sure, then, that the fabric is free from
all trace Of moths. Brush every part
Of the article thoroughly, letting It
hang in the open air for some hours
Have the closets, drawers and chests
washed with about a tablespoonful Of
commercial carbolic acid TO a gallon Of
water, then wrap the articles in sheets
and put them away in the place which
has been prepared for them
Fruit Stains.-The reason why fruit
and many other stains become fixed IN
a fabric is that soap is used on them
The more quickly any stain is removed
the better. but all stains should be
taken out before the article is put in
soapsuds. Plenty Of boiling water win
remove almost any fruit stain Peach
stains are the most difficult; to remove
them spread the stained parts over a
bowl and pour boiling water through
the cloth If this does not remove them
soak for few minutes in weak javelle
water OF a weak solution Of Oxalic acid
or chloride of lime. Rinse thoroughly
in several waters. These chemicals
should be used only on white goods.
Filtering Drinking Water.-Unless
one is careful to clean the filter every
few days il is much better to dispense
with it and make use of a flannel bag,
which NAV be fastened on the faucet.
III
it has this advantage: by changing 1t
for fresh one each day one is assured
that the water does not pass through
decaying matter, as is the case when
the filter is not systematically cleaned.
It must be remembered that neither
straining nor fltering viii remove any
substance that is dissolved in the
water; therefore when water is con-
taminated by drainage, or from other
causes, II should be boiled before be
ing used either for drinking purposes
or in the preparation Of food.
To Exterminate Roaches.-If one is
so unfortunate as to live in a locality
where these pests are liable to develop,
the greatest watchfulness and care are
necessary. Do not keep garbage, par
ticles Of wet food OF wet clothes about
the kitchen, closets or cellar. It is par
ticularly important that no garbage
should be left in the kitchen over night,
and that the sink should be left clean
and dry. Should these pests be dis
covered use a roach powder which viii
not drive them away, but viii eK
terminate them. To get rid Of bedbugs
prepare the following wash: Put into
a quart bottle half an ounce Of corrosive
sublimate, half an ounce Of powdered
camphor, half a pint Of wood alcohol
and half a pint of turPentine. Apply
this with a brush. The bottle should be
plainly marked and also labeled ''POi-
SON"
When the Flatiron Sticks.-There are
several reasons why the hatirOn re-
fuses to move smoothly over the surface
of the clothes. Sometimes the i'm
patient laundress pours cold water over
the too hot iron. which makes the sur
face rough. It takes a good deal Of rub
bing on emery powder OF powdered
pumice stone TO remove this rOughness-
The ordinary trouble comes from par
ticles Of starch and other foreign sub
stances clinging TO the iron. One Of the
most satisfactory methods Of keeping
the irons smooth while working is to
have an old pan lined with thick brown
paper, putting upon this paper a thick
LAYER of common salt. Rub the hot iron
on this salt, using a good deal Of pres
sure, then wipe on a clean piece Of cot
ton. When ironing starched clothes
have a piece Of beeswax in a cloth, and
after cleaning the iron on the salt, pass
the wax lightly over it and wipe with
a clean cloth. One VIII have no trouble
if these directions are followed
Ladies Home Journal.