The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1908-06-07
Household Wisdom

/ A strong solution OF oxalIc acid In
the best agent for the removal OF dark
stains on woodwork. Pour the acid on
the stain. II the first application does
not clean the wood. make a second APP
plication.
| 1t must be remembered that the acid
will remove color as wen as stain IL
should not be applied TO a stained wood
unless the worker knows how TO re-
store the color
| 1t Is well to keep a strong solution VI
the acid and then dilute It as it is re-
quired for use. Put four ounces OF the
oxalic crystals in a pint bottle and add
/ half pint OF cold water. This makes
crystals will not dissolve in that
amount of water.
For removing stains from table linen
mix one-fourth of the solution and
three-fourths of hot water Soak the
article in this until the stains disap-
pear. Rinse thoroughly.
RUST STAINS ON MATING.
Rust stains on mating may be re-
moved in this manner: Have ready
some muriatic acid. hot iron, dry
cloths, an old nail brush. a sponge. a
bowlful of boiling water and two pail
fuls of clean cold water.
Cover the spot with paper and place
the hot iron on this. When the mat
ting is hot dip glass rod or stick in
the acid and touch the stain; it VIII
instantly turn TO a bright yellow
Wash quickly with the boiling water.
using the nail brush then with the
clear water, using the sponge; wipe
dry. The work must be done quickly
and all the acid removed from the mat
| ting by repeated sponging with clean
| water.
When possible heat the stain, as the
acid acts more quickly on hot than
| on a cold substance.
| Straw mating will look bright and
fresh at the end of summer IL IL is
carefully washed over with a soft cloth
wrung out Of salt and water every time
| 1t Is swept.
OLD PAINT FROM WOODWORK.
To remove old paint from woodwork
make a strong solution OF washing
soda and apply IT to the paint with a
brush, being careful that IL does not
get on your hands or clothing. After a
short time wash off with mop. being
careful, as before, not to let the liquid
touch the flesh or clothing.
Ammonia Is also a good agent. Use
diluted and household ammonia and
proceed as with washing soda. Begin
to wash off as soon as the fumes pass
on The paint may be scraped or
burned off, but this is difficult thing
for an amateur to do.
To clean painted woodwork. take two
quarts of hot water, two tablespoonfuls
of turpentine, one of SKINNED milk and
soap enough to make suds. The mix
ture will clean and give lustre.
Paint can be removed from glass By
rubbing 1t with hot. strong vinegar.
TO CLEAN LEATHER.
To clean leather, mix together half
pound each of French chalk and Full
ler's earth. two ounces OF powdered
starch and one ounce OF yellow ochre.
Wet this with boiling water enough
to make a thin paste and add one
Tablespoonful of sweet oil. When cold,
spread on the soled leather and let IL
remain until dry then brush of.
Wipe Off every particle OF the clean
ing material and polish the leather
with wax melted with turpentine (four
ounces of wax and one gill Of turpen-
tine) II you wish to darken the leath-
err add a little oil TO the wax prepare
ton.
Leather that has become dun and
shabby looking may be very much i'm
proved by being rubbed over with the
white of an egg well beaten.
Leather bags may be cleaned with
a sponge dipped in warm water IN
which a little oxalic acid has been dis
solved.
TO CLEAN MAHOGANY.
Spread parafin oil on the solid wood
work and let il stand for an hour or
more to soften the dirt. then wash with
soap and warm water and wipe dry.
Next run on a mixture Of paraffine
oil and urpentine-one-third turpen-
tine and two-thirds oil. Polish with
soft old flannel. Let II rest for an
hour or two, then polish with soft ola
linen.
If the surface is very dun, dirty and
scratched, instead II washing with
soap and water, add more oil and
sprinkle powdered rottenstone over II.
Rub gently and regularly. first with
a circular motion and then with the
grain Of the wood.
When the surface is smooth and
bright wipe off the rottenstone and
finish az you would after washing with
the soap and water.
To RESTORE POLISH TO MARBLE.
When the polish has been removed
from marble by acids or from any
other cause II Is quite difficult 10 re-
store it with such appliances as one
ran use in the home. However, n one
nave strength and patience it can be
lone.
Cover the defaced place with a thick
bed Of powdered pumice stone: wet this
with water and rub with large fat
stone, renewing the pumice stone and
water from time to time. 1t requires a
treat deal Of hard rubbing TO get a
smooth surface. Finish by rubbing
with putty powder and water.