15. Uses for Old Velvet
A bit of velvet is a fine polisher for brass. It
quickly removes the dust from woodwork, or shoes soiled from walking which
do not need reblacking. For dusting a felt hat there is nothing better
than a piece of chiffon velvet. It is also good to keep the bottom of a
silk skirt free from the dirt. One housekeeper even uses a big piece of
old velvet to rub her stove to a high polish after it has been blackened.
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136. Moths
When moths get into dresser drawers, sweep them clean, expose the wood to the sunlight and with an atomizer spray turpentine where the pests are liable to be. A lighted match or sulphur candle will kill them. ... 137. To Remove Putty
To remove putty, rub a red hot poker over it, and cut off the putty with a steel knife. ... 138. New Method for Sprinkling Clothes
Turn the nozzle of the hose to a fine spray and sprinkle the clothes while they are on the line; a very quick and good method. All plain pieces may then be rolled up and laid in the basket as they are taken down, while starched articles need but a litt... 139. To Open Packages of Breakfast Food
To open packages of breakfast food and keep boxes in a dust proof condition until empty, make an opening in the side of box close to top by forcing a tablespoon through cardboard and turn flap downwards. The flap will fit back snugly in place each time ... 14. For Clearing Vinegar
Should your home-made vinegar refuse to settle, try this: To each gallon stir in a half pint of fresh milk and let stand undisturbed for twenty-four hours. The milk will form a curd at the bottom and all the dregs will settle with it, leaving the vinega... 140. Preparing Oranges for the Table
In preparing oranges for the table take a sharp knife, cut the skin straight around, insert the handle of a spoon turned over flat to fit the orange and loosen shell by forcing spoon to within one-half inch of the end, around one side, then the other, a... 141. To Make a Muddy Skirt Wash Easily
To make a muddy skirt wash easily and look white, take sour milk and dilute with water; soak the skirt in it over night, then wash in the usual way; the skirt washes easier and looks white. ... 142. To Make Stained Water Bottles Clean
To make stained water bottles clean and bright, put in salt and pour on vinegar, let stand a few minutes then shake. Rinse in clear water. ... 143. Sanitary Window Screen
Try tacking cheese cloth on the pantry window screen frame. This admits air that is sifted free from smoke and soot, before it comes into the pantry. ... 144. Cheerfulness at Meals
Cheer during the meals will do away with the need of digestive tablets. Make it a rule to come to the table smiling, and continue to smile, though the food does not suit you and everyone else is down on their luck. Your smile will prove contagious. ... 145. Uses for Stale Bread
Take stale biscuits and grind them with a food chopper; toast in oven to a delicate brown. Serve with plenty of sugar and cream. Makes fine breakfast food and saves the stale bread. ... 146. Washing Lemons
Always wash lemons before grating them, not only to remove any foreign matter sticking to them, but in order to remove the tiny insect eggs so often seen on them in the disguise of black specks. They may be kept fresh indefinitely, if wiped perfectly dr... 147. To Give Vinegar a Nice Flavor
A small button of garlic in a quart of vinegar will give it a mysterious delicious flavor, and it will immensely improve salads or anything in which it is used. ... 148. If Mice are Gnawing Holes
If mice are gnawing holes in the house, rub common laundry soap around the gnawed places, and you may depend on it they will cease labor in that district. ... 149. To Teach Darning
If young girls are taught to darn on canvas, the method of weaving the stitches is easily explained and put into practise. ... 15. Uses for Old Velvet
A bit of velvet is a fine polisher for brass. It quickly removes the dust from woodwork, or shoes soiled from walking which do not need reblacking. For dusting a felt hat there is nothing better than a piece of chiffon velvet. It is also good to keep th... 150. Bed Sheeting
Sheeting should never be cut, but should be torn into lengths, usually two and a half yards for medium beds. ... 151. Browning Potatoes
For some kinds of frying the griddle is better and has a less tendency to grease than the frying pan. Among the other things potato cakes browned on a hot greased griddle are especially crisp and delicious. ... 152. To Keep Bread from Souring
You will find that light bread will not sour so quickly in summer if it is not covered when taken from the oven. This steam is unnatural and should be allowed to escape or it soaks into the bread, making it clammy and more liable to sour. Let the bread ... 153. Never Pour Scalding Water into Milk Vessels
Never pour scalding water into milk vessels; it cooks the milk on the sides and bottom of the vessels making it more difficult to clean such articles. Rinse them first with cold water. This same rule applies to cleansing of catsup bottles. ... 154. The Water Pipes in the Kitchen
The water pipes in the kitchen will not be so unattractive, if painted the color of the kitchen woodwork. ... 155. To Brush Fringe of a Doilie
Do not use a comb for the fringe of doilies as it pulls out the fringe, but brush it with a nail brush. ... 156. Wash Suits
Large buttons should be removed from wash suits before they are sent to the laundry. ... 157. Sewing Machine Conveniences
Always leave a piece of cloth under the presser foot of the sewing machine. This will save wear on the machine. Also it will absorb any drop of oil which might gather and spoil the first piece of fabric stitched, and will keep the needle from becoming b... 158. To Make a Ruffle Easily
To make a ruffle easily, just above depth of the ruffle make a quarter inch tuck. Insert edge of ruffle under tuck, flatten down tuck over the ruffle edge and stitch on edge of tuck. If the ruffle is desired on very bottom of garment, make a quarter of ... 159. Greasing Cake Tins
In making a cake, grease the tin with sweet lard rather than butter and sift a little dry flour over it. ... 16. Removing Warts
Warts can be removed permanently and safely by an application of a salve made by mixing common table salt into a yolk of an egg. Change the application daily, and within the week they will all drop out. ... 160. Making Children's Petticoats
When making children's petticoats gather the skirt to waistband before hemming the backs and then turn in with the hem, and when band gets too small and narrow across the back, all you have to do is rip out the hem and face back, and the gathers are al... 161. After Cake is Removed from Oven
A cake which has been removed from the oven should be placed on a wire stand on the stove and the steam allowed to thoroughly escape from it so as to obviate any chances of it becoming heavy. ... 162. When the Top Cannot be Removed from Fruit Cans
When the top cannot be removed from a fruit can, if the lid is carefully pried at one point, so the gum can be caught, the rubber can easily be removed. It is not difficult to pull the band from beneath the metal cap. ...