Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1899-07-19
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS.
Useful suggestions Concerning Eruis
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
artlcle 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
1ang in the open air for some hours.
Have the closets, drawers and chests
washed with about tablespoonful of
commercial carbolic acid to 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
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 will
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 or weak solution of oxalic acid
or chloride of lime. Rinse thoroughly
in several waters. These chemicals
should be used only on white goods.
Ffltering Drinking Water.-Unless
one is careful to clean the filter every
few days it is much better to dispense
with it and make use of a flannel bag,
which may be fastened on the faucet.
This will merely act as a strainer, but
it has this advantage: by changing it
for fresh one each day one is assured
that the water does not pass through
3ecaying matter, as is the case when
the filter is not Systematically cleaned.
1t must be remembered that neither
straining nor filtering will remove any
substance that is dissolved in the
water; therefore when water is con-
taminated by drainage, or from other
causes, it 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
ticIes of wet food or wet clothes about
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 roach powder which will
not drive them away, but will eX-
terminate them. To get rid of bedbugs
prepare the following wash: Put into
quart bottle half an ounce of corrosive
sub1imate, half an ounce of powdered
camphor, half pint of wood alcohol
and half pint of turpentine. Apply
this with brush. The bottle should be
plainly marked and also labeled 'Poi-
SON."
When the Flatiron Sticks.-There are
several reasons why the fatiron 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. 1t takes good deal of rub
bling on emery powder or powdered
pumice stone to remove this roughness.
The ordinary trouble comes from par
ticIes of starch and other foreign SUBJ
stances cIinging 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 thick
layer of common salt. Rub the hot iron
on this salt, using a good deal of pres
sure, then wipe on clean piece of cot
ton. When ironing starched clothes
have piece of beeswax in a cloth, and.
after cleaning the iron on the salt. pass
the wax lightly over it and wipe with
clean cloth. One will have no trouble
if these directions are followed
Ladies' Home Journal.