The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1900-04-21
A CHEMIcAL CUPBOARD.
For the safe KeeDsne Of Powerful
Acids and AIlSnlEa Used rn
House Work.

| The average housekeeper has q nafur.
Al and well founded objection to
chemicals by which she generally
means powerful acids or aIkalis, which
are used in housecleaning and in laun-
dry work. Only in exceptional cases
are such powerful articles used in cook
ing, and they should certainly be avoid
ed in the domestic kitchen, as il re-
/ quires practical chemist to handle
them properly Acids that are classed
| as 'non-poisonous,7 2 yet produce the
| powerful effects ascrfbed to them. NAV
be very deleterioUs to health, and ia
that sense dangerous TO use and poison
4 Gus in the hands Of an ignorant person
who does not know how To- use them.
/ The only powerful chemicals which
should be used abou house are
those simple all5ali SD ids used for
cleaning. Virulent poisons, like 0xaIfe
acid, should be avoided, because such
/ simple ingredients as Vinegar and salt
will accomplish the same result. Itfsa
good plan to keep all such articles in
a cupboard by themselves. Such a place
can be formed by blocking on a corner
of the shelf Of the pantry where dishes.
not food, are kept. There are many Of
these chemicals which are dangerous in
the hands of a young child, hence they
should be kept out of reach of children.
Ammonia, even weak household am
monia, may destroy the hearing when
spilled in the cavity of the ear or de-
stroy the eyesight if it touches del
icate part of the eye. IT is valuable as a
washing fluid, and is used in the bath to
soften water, 1t should be used, how
ever, very moderately. as it renders the
Skin dry and rough when used oofreely
in the water. The same thing may be
said of most of the washing powders
and other compounds which assist in
washing. Soap powders are fruitful
cause of chapped hands. Where any
such article as an alkai or soap powder
is used there should be q simple acid
toilet wash used afterWsrd to correct
its effect on the hands. Al proportion 81
one-ffth citric acid, tWo-ffths 81 aIvc.
crime and two-ffths rosewater makes
very good and perfectly safe prepare
tion to.use on the hands. This should i5e
rubbed over the hands after they have
been subject to dishwater or laundry
spds in which allSali soaps or soap pow
GERS 81 washing fluids have been used.
Ammonia IS not SO good as a little al.
eohoi in washing windows, kerosene
lamp chimneys OF any glass about the
house. Ammonia is apt to leave n blur
over the glass which it is difficult to
clean off. Strong ammonia eats into the
glass, SO that a permanent blur is ere.
ated.
Salsoda is chemical that must be
used very carefully. As a washing fluid |
it injuries delicate goods, and totally de.
stroys the color of most colored gnods.
Borax is a safer article to use, as it is
comparatively mild in its effects.
Galvanized and polished iron sinks
and cooking utensils of polished sheet
iron are cleaned by the use of boiling.
hot vinegar and salt. Let spiders soak
on the back of the stove with a strong
solution of hot vinegar and salt in
them. When all signs of black are
gone, polish the spiders well and wash
and wipe them dry. Sinks may be very
successfully cleaned with turpentint
and boiling water. Turpentine is a ver-
useful chemical to keep in the Closet
N. Y Tribune.