Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-07-26
Readers Clearing House

Each Monday, Wednesday and
Thursday this space is devoted to
IN exchange Of ideas, recipes, house
keeping short cuts and suggestions
between the housewives in Wash
ington and vicinity. Please send
your contributions or requests to
Readers Clearing House, the Wom-
ans Page, The Evening Star"
The views expressed in this "open
forum" are not necessarily those of
The Star, but are simply an ex-
change of opinions between readers
Of the Woman's Page.
As it is obviously impossible for
this department to test all recipes
assume responsibility for them.
SPICED TEA.
THANKS to Mrs. W. M. c.,
Washington
Mrs. p. s. mentioned iced tea
that tasted of spice and mint.
llCJ h1iOW Vic Ill1llG
but have used whole cloves when
sleeping tea. This gives delight
full flavor and aroma. I have never
counted the number used, but would
judge about four whole cloves to
cup OF tea would be sufficient. How
ever, she could experiment. This is
also excellent for hot tea.
GUM ARABIC STARCH; PAINT
CLEANER.
Thanks to G. L. McC., Alexandria,
Some one asked for the gum
arabic recipe for restoring crispness
to droopy wells. Copied this recipe
out Of the paper some time ago.
Dissolve tablespoon of gum
arabic (can be purchased at drug
stores) in l cup of hot water. Do
not be discouraged if it takes about
an hour to dissolve. Dip veil in the
solution. Spread fiat on towel to
dry. Press carefully with warm
iron. Soiled wells may be first
cleaned by shaking them in a jar
filled with lukewarm suds and
rinsed at least three times by
shaking in clear water.
At the same time I would like to
pass on very good recipe have for
an inexpensive and very effective
paint cleaner. This is a good sug-
gestion for any one moving into a
home where they want to 20 over
all the woodwork before settling
down.
Bring to boiling l gallon water,
add about 5 cents worth of boraX
and about cents worth ammonia,
one small box of soap flakes.
Boil few minutes while stirring
all together and letting soap powder
dissolve thoroughly. CThis con-
coction will give off quite an odor)
Let cool, stirring occasionally. This
should make quite a large amount
of jelly which can be kept. For
cleaning dip up small amount on
clean, damp cloth and wash small
space at time. Rub off with clean,
damp cloth and dry.
I, too, approve of the Readers
Clearing House and believe many
problems of "harassed housewives"
may be cleared up through this e.
cellent column.
LINOLEUM; STARCHING MATS.
(ThdnkS to Mrs. J. c., Wdrrenton.)
Some little while back some one
asked for recipe for starching
crochet mats. was not well at the
time and the paper was lost. If not
too late I should like to send it to
you, for had a lot of trouble trying
to get my mats stiff enough until
tried this one. Hope this is in time
to be of use to you and the lady who
asked for it.
To make crochet mats very stiff,
make very thick starch of white
flour and boiling water. Use while
hot, just as soon as you can Wiring
the mats out, then pat it well into
the mats so there will be none to
show on the outside. Pin out your
mats point by point and put in the
sun to dry quickly and they will be
as stiff as a board. Don't try to
iron them, I just put cloth over my
ironing board and pin the mats on
every point, and they will dry as
straight as If they we're ironed and
look lovely.
I have made dozens OF crochet
mats in lacy openWork pattern and
they look so nice. I am proud of
them!
would like to know how to treat
linoleum for longer wear. Should it
be waxed or vanished while new?
THREE REQUESTS.