Middletown transcript., 1907-06-01
USEFUL THINGS TO KNOW

ruief eaFtn is one OF the best methods
for cleaning silk or any delicate fabrics.
The powder is harmless, used dry, and
will remove every particle of dust and
grease from a garment 1t should be
brushed on the garment with moderately
stiff brush. French chalk is splendid for
cleaning white goods, especially yoiles,
but has no good effect with smooth sur
face goods.
| White canvas shoes can be cleaned in
gasoline, sometimes; again they need
soap and water to make them look new.
Wash the shoes with a small tooth or
nail brush, using soapy water in which
there is liberal supply of borax. Rinse
them, using little bluing in the water.
II the shoes are not pure and white, they
can be powdered with -four or taIeum
powder. After they are perfectly dry,
rub the edges of the soles with brown or
black shoe polish. When white canvas
shoes refuse to return to their original
Whlteness, then use dyes and make them
any color to match a summer gown, 1t
is very easy to do, and they can be col.
| ored second or third time when soiled.
An old-fashionsd method of keeping
the shoes impervious to water in rainy
weather was to rub the welt stitches with
piece of beef tallow. But this is OBJ
lectlonable. as traces of the grease can be
seen in the white particles of the fat left.
Castor oil applied with a small brush is
very much better. Only little should
be used and the brush should preferably
have stiff bristles-the kind that comes
with bottle of glue will answer.
Put little satpetre in the water Won
use for your bouquets and the flowers will
live for fortnight
To clean iron sinks, rub them well with
cloth wet with kerosene.
Witch Hazel cold cream, which is yery
pleasant for rough, sensitive complexion,
is made as follows: Nine ounces of white
petrolatum, II ounces of white wax, II
ounces of spermacetti, three ounces of dis
titled extract of witch hazel. Melt the
first three ingredients together, allow to
cool to some extent, then add the witch
hazel extract and stir. When nearly cool
add few drops of oil of rose.
Wash articles of brass which are tar
nished in the water in which potatoes
have been boiled, and they will be as
bright as if new.
Those who wear yiolets and desire them
to last as long as possible should keep
them in glasses of water slightly tinctured
with salt. and the glasses inclosed in air.
tight pals or jars.
1t is said that lemons will keep fresh
for weeks if placed in bag of cornmeal
or keep in cold water, changing it once a
week.
If gloss is desired on linen, add tea
spoonful of salt to the starch when max
ing.
In washing cut glass, use little borax
in hot water. Remove the dust and dirt
from the small carvings by means of a
paint brush with strong, supple bristles.
When thoroughly cleaned, set aside to
drain, and dry thoroughly with clean
cloth.
To wash any kind of a cut glass bottle,
such as a vinegar cruet or vase, peel
and chop up raw potato, and put into
the bottle with just enough warm soap
suds to cover the potato. Set aside for
several hours, now and then giving it an
occasional shaking. Then empty the
bottle and rinse well.
If pewter has been allowed to become
very dull, soak it for day or two in
water into which small quantity of
potash has been dissolved. The correct
is piece of potash the size of
q hickory nut to one quart of water. After
the pieces have been taken out, rub them
with cloth dipped in oil, then polish
with a chamois skin and whiting. After
pewter has once been well cleaned, it can
be kept bright by means of frequent wash
ngs in hot water and soap.
In washing egg cups or dishes that
nave become stained with egg, let them
'oak for awhile in cold water, then use
lot water and soap.
The spring house cleaner should re-
member that carpets should not be laid
IN floor that has not been allowed to
'ecome thoroughly dry, if she would
void moths.
The economical housewife has often
wondered if old umbrellas may not be
e-covered at home. They may, and if
hey do not emerge from the transforma-
ion process looking good enough to be
arried with your new dress, at least they
Vill do excellently for every day use, or
Or the children to carry to school. Be-
in by removing the old cover and the
netal cap which held its top edge Geta
ood, smooth satine with dull finish for
be new cover. Use one of the sections
the old cover as pattern, laying it
'ith the outer edge on the selvage. Sew
be sections together by means of a
rench seam, that is, first tiny seam on
ne right side, then turn it in, and sew it
gain. Slip the cover over the rod, tack
lg it securely at the points and at the
liddle of the ribs. Then tack the top
nd replace the metal cap.
The housekeeper should remember that
oiling water should never be put into
OF water bag, and that the bag should
ever be more than half filed. Before
hitting it the stopper, place the bag in the
p and carefully press out the steam, as
this way it will be relieved OF the pres
ire of the steam and rendered softer.
fter the bag has been used, drain out
lie water and let it hang bottom side up
r awhile Then blow a little air into