The Washington herald., 1914-04-04

AVOIDING WASTE OF
TIME AND STRENGTH

II will pay every housekeeper TO 60
over the plans of her working depart
ment and the manner in which she
covers her daily tasks. In order to cut
down wasted energies. No business man
would think of working with his mate
rials as scattered as are those of the
majority of housekeepers. II Is no won
der It is called daily grind" In most
houses closets are too few and in in
convenient places. This difficulty may
be overcome in the kitchen by a kitchen
cabinet II one cannot be afforded, a
good substitute may be made from
packing boxes. The Teachers College
in New York improvised one that may
be taken as a model. but handy persons
may put one together by looking at the
models that are kept in the stores or
seen in catalogues.
Fatigue is caused by bending over low
tables and sinks. One cannot change
these poor arrangements in a rented
house. but much comfort can be OBJ
tained by using high stools when IRON
ing or dishwashing. When building a
house these points should be planned
by the housekeeper herself The gas
range has one advantage over the
kitchen store-it is usually the correct
height for cooking; washers, too. espe-
ciaIly the kind with power attachments,
are of the proper height.
Poor tools. wrong ones, and those in
bad condition are time wasters. a
milestone and oil can should be part
Of the equipment Of every household
and they should be kept in a convenient
place.
Another great loss Is in shifting from
one job to another: for instance, in
cleaning, sweep one room after another.
then clean the windows from room to
room. then dust and notice how much
quicker the work is accomplished.
There should be a regular time for
putting in supplies and list kept Of
articles to be renewed. Frequently II
means some part Of the cooking Is de-
layed. because a complete list was not
made out for the market man. Planning
the bill of fare for several days or
week would obviate this trouble.
One model household, which. by the
way was the home of woman who is
internationally known as a political and
domestic economist. had typed chart Of
possible breakfast dishes hanging on
the kitchen wall BY this means that
meal was one OF variety, especially as
these dishes were planned to use the
Ieft-overs from dinner. The plans
changed according TO the seasons of the
year: also savory suggestions for giving
appetizing favors were scheduled, so no
Indifferent maid or member of the fam
lily, il need he, could do other than offer
a good breakfast at a minimum of time
and labor
In thus planning for efficiency, It is
well to cultivate observation and see
how often two birds may be killed with
one stone. Especially is this true of
cooking. For instance. given ice. one
may make twice the amount Of pie
crust. Steps may be saved by planning.
for instance. in cleaning up the house,
everything to go down stairs should be
placed on a chair at the landing until
on that floor. In fact, to take an in
ventory of ones efforts during routine
of housework will be a profitable thing
for most housewives.
A housekeeper who thus knows how to
save her own time and energy will he
able to give intelligent directions TO the
maid of all work.