Middletown transcript., 1909-04-24
USEFUL THINGS 10 KNOW

Candles will last longer II they are kep
on ice for tweniy-fonr hours hefors using
: This is a wise precaution when one wishe
them to lat throuEll dinner or tea.
Po,ted plants are said 70 thrive bette
when alittle water is kept in the sauce
: in which they rest.
A pinch Of soda added to the water il
which tough meat OF vegetables afs boiled
will make them more tender.
! There is nothing like strong sunshine
for bleaching yellow piano keys. Rut
the keys with powdered pnmice stone
moistened with water and then draw tlle
piano up before sunny window while
the keys are still moist. The woodwork
of the piano should be carefully covered.
This bleaching is slow process and may
need to be repeated several times before
the keys assume their original color.
A true housewife should take the great
est pride In her kitchen sink and keep 1t
spolIesely clean. The easiest and best
| way to cleaD galvanized iron sink which
has been more OF less neglected is to rub
strong soap powder into every corner and
over every inch Of surface. Let itremain
on for 10 or 10 minutes, then with. 9 stout
brush go over the whole, dipping Che
brush into boiling water When the
sink is thoroughly scrubbed, polish it
with kerosene, rubbing the oil into the
iron and leaving no residue of grease be-
hind. The kerosene prevents it from
rusting after the strong soap powder and
boiling water are used. Care must be
taken that the painted woodwork around
the sink does not come into contact with!
the powder, as it may eat 4 il,p paiat.
Tie kitchen sink should be cleaned as
thoroughly as this twice a week. and
every day carefully rinsed ont with hot
soap suds.
For cleaning brass and silverware, take
half cupof whiting and Gil the cup up
with cold water. Pour this mixture into
bottle, add one ounce Of ammonia.
Shake well before using. Wet flannel
cloth with this, rub the article to be
cleansed afterwards rubbing drytiil poll
isiied.
One caution is necessary: much Of the
modern brass is finished with lacquer.
II this is the case, do not attempt to polish
the brass. Il must be relafQnered in
order to be satisfactory. Thislis expen-
sive, but il must be doue by an expert.
Brass polished only with the rotIenstone
aud oil has deep. rich yellow tone. v bile
tie acid polish gives whittier. more bril-
liant color.
Il piece OF brass is very badly tar
nished, thorough preliminary washing
is necessary. First, mix common salt and
vinegar or oxalic acid solution in saucer;
rub the tarnished surface with this until
all the tarnish is removed. Then wash
thoroughly in plenty Of hot, soapy water.
j Dampness causes brass to taruish quick.
y,but II it can be kept in dry and cool
place il will remain untaruished for some
time.
Bronzes must be cleaned by rubbing
With sweet oil. Rub.dry with soft cloth
and polish With chamois.
Before beginning the spring housecIean-
ing it is we'll 70 make or purchase few
of the simple chemical reagents which
are OF help in cleaning. FuIler's earth is
an inexpensive, tine brown powder, and
can be purchased at any druegisls. Il isl
useful for the grease spot on rug or carpet,
and can be used on any fabric. Moistent
with water Cor turpentine if grease spoll
and spread thin layer Of the paste on
the spot. When il has thoroughly dried,
brusli il off aud the spot win usually come
with il.
Steel wool also should be kept on9the
cleaning shelf. For removing she obsti-
nate stain on the kitchen Aoor steel wool
will do the work Of planning. Il is not
expensive, may be purchased at most
paint supply shops, and Iooka ike mass
Of gray wool. Il is capable Of enough
friction, however, to wear off the most
obstinate spot.
Oatmeal can be used instead of barley
or riee 10 soup. Il tllickens aud adds
flavor which is pleasant. h
Floors we must have in onr houses,
md, in the main, the floors. must be I
wooden. Uncarpeted floors are best for
reasons Of cIeanIiness aud sanitation.
Good Housekeeping sl,o@s how houses Ii
holders who are nnabls to have waxed t
'ak floors may have choice Of substitute.
% tie ussof kerossneor turpentine, when
lecesaaFy, the Gre risk must always be :
:onsidsred and provided against.
A wood foor unsuited to plain waxing !,
nay be filled aud vanished With hard ! J.
Iarnish There are plenty Of reliable :
makes on the markst), then waxed ex.
city as is ths oak floor. The finish is y
in appearance BY ihs waxing, 81
hough the durability is not much in =
reased. Ca vanished ao3r, see that
he yaEnish is renewed in the places g
rhsre she most wear comes bsfore & IS q
porn through; otherwise, if the stain it,
If is worn. renewing will only make the a
oor look patchy. With care, provided 9,
God varuish is lsed in the irst place, q
uch vanished q lsF aill give long SER u
ice. Never allow snch hooF to be
such treatment produces the :,
iicky. black corners and seams too often s
zen on vanished hoo.s. b,
The broad boards Of an old fashioned o.
cor may be filled aud stained. A mix
IRE for this purpose is nos on the mar q
ct After staiHirg, The floor may be = =
iaxsd, Il liked, Or il may Be ilied and
ainted. yafnished aud finally waxed. 4,
Bdeed, there seems ID Be- no floor now
hich is 90 poor 90 absolutely to require
arpeting The fFst cost, nuiess lard b,
God floor il 20 be laid, Is much less. and pt
le outlay foF Hsor finishes and care does sc