Chapter V: Part 5

Grate a large raw potato to each quart of soft water necessary to wash the dress. Cover the potatoes well with cold water, let stand two days without moving, pour off the clear water carefully into the tub or large pail in which the dress is to be washed, and dip the pieces up and down till clean. Do not wring, but hang out to drip nearly dry, when the pieces should be laid flat and wiped on both sides, and pressed between soft cloths or paper.

TO WASH LACES

Fine laces, handkerchiefs, doilies or trimmings, may be made like new by soaking them in lukewarm Ivory soap suds for a couple of hours, changing the water and repeating till clean. Squeeze them very gently, rinse in several warm waters and while quite wet (do not squeeze), pat them carefully in shape on a flat smooth surface to dry. Place them right side up and they will look exactly like new, and it is very easy to spread each tiny figure into shape when it is quite wet. A large piece of marble or glass, the bottom of a large platter, or the bottom of a flat porcelain bath tub is good to dry them on. Thin laces may be dried on the window pane, but heavier lace will not stay on the glass. Lace yokes are beautifully done in this manner.

TO DRY CLEAN LACES

Rub block magnesia or corn starch carefully into the lace, roll or fold and lay away for several days, when the powder may be shaken out. If not perfectly clean, repeat. Flat pieces of lace may be laid over a piece of white paper that is covered with block magnesia, the lace itself also well covered, another sheet of white paper laid on the lace and a heavy flat weight, like a large book, placed on top and left to press the lace for several days. Shake, or brush carefully with a soft brush.

TO CLEAN LACE YOKES

Sprinkle boric acid on a lace yoke, lay away for a couple of days, shake well, and the yoke will be clean without removing it from the waist.

TO CLEAN LACE WAISTS

Put a delicate lace waist into a two quart glass jar filled with gasoline with the top tightly screwed on, and let stand over night. Next morning pour out a little of the gasoline, shake the jar thoroughly, remove the waist, and shake carefully dry. If the gasoline is much soiled, rinse in clean gasoline. And do not use gasoline indoors.

TO DRY CLEAN LACE WAISTS

Put a lace waist in a pillow case, cover thickly with corn meal and flour mixed, leave for several days, take out of doors and shake well but carefully in the bag. Then remove and shake free from the flour and corn meal.

TO WASH LACE WAISTS

Shake the dust from a washable lace waist, immerse it in clean warm water, with a tablespoonful of ammonia stirred in, then lay it in a wash bowl, cover it with strong Ivory soap suds and set in the sun for three hours. Do not rub, but dip up and down, rinse well in several warm waters, starch if desired, and press on the wrong side, on a padded ironing board.

TO COLOR LACES

Proceed in same manner as To Color Flowers.

TO CLEAN VEILS

Put the veil into a glass fruit jar, filled with wood alcohol, screw the top tightly on, and leave for about ten minutes. Then pour out a little of the alcohol, replace the top and shake the jar thoroughly. Squeeze the veil carefully, and shake partly dry (out of doors), then pin over a sheet on a bed or table, to dry in shape. Do not use alcohol near fire.

TO WASH VEILS

Dip the veil into a warm suds of Ivory soap, squeeze it carefully till clean, rinse in several warm waters, and pin on a sheet on a bed or table till partly dry, then press under a cloth with a warm iron.

TO FRESHEN BLACK VEILS

Stir a dessertspoonful of ammonia into a quart fruit jar nearly filled with alcohol, put a black veil in, cover tightly, and shake thoroughly. Remove from the jar, squeeze carefully, shake till nearly dry, pin on a sheet on a bed or table, and leave till perfectly dry.

TO FRESHEN BLACK LACE

Spread the lace on a flat surface, brush carefully with a soft brush, and shake out the dust. Mix in a saucepan one dessertspoonful of dry tea, one pint of boiling water and one teaspoonful of gum arabic. Simmer slowly, stirring till the gum is dissolved. Strain into a dish and soak the lace in it for thirty minutes. If the lace is silk, add a teaspoonful of alcohol to the solution. After soaking, squeeze the lace carefully, then put it in folds of cloth and squeeze. Then smooth it in shape, roll carefully in a dry cloth, let remain an hour and press over paper on a padded ironing board, with a paper on top of the lace which must be pressed on the wrong side.

TO STIFFEN LACE

Put a pinch of sugar in the last rinsing water.

TO CLEAN A BLACK WOOL GOWN

Sponge with ammonia and warm water, a tablespoonful of ammonia to a quart of water. Rub powdered French chalk into the spots, leave for half a day, cover the chalk with clean white blotting paper and set a warm iron on it. Then sponge again with ammonia and water, and press carefully under a cloth, on the wrong side where possible.

TO WASH A BLACK WOOL GOWN

Boil one ounce of soap bark solution in one quart of water. When thoroughly steeped, strain, and add to two gallons of hot water. Put the dress in this and dip up and down till clean. Rinse in warm water, squeeze carefully, shake out doors and let drip partially dry. Shake again, hang up again and when nearly dry, press carefully on the wrong side.

TO CLEAN COVERT CLOTH

Mix six ounces of water, one ounce of sulphuric ether and one ounce of ammonia. Sponge covert cloth with the mixture, then sponge with warm water, cover with a damp cloth and press dry, pressing on the wrong side where possible.

TO CLEAN SPOTS FROM CASHMERE

Make a paste of Fuller’s earth and cold water, and put on the spots and leave for several hours, then brush.

TO CLEAN MACINTOSH COATS

Dissolve a handful of the best gray lime in half a pail of water, and apply to the coat, with a sponge. Repeat, after three hours.

TO REMOVE GLOSS FROM CLOTHING

Rub carefully with fine emery cloth. After using emery cloth on very smooth surfaces, rub carefully the way of the nap with a warm silk handkerchief.

Sponging with hot vinegar is good for removing shine from woolen garments.

Black wool may be sponged with borax and water, then with clear water, to remove gloss.

TO DRY CLEAN WHITE CLOTH

Rub pipe clay into the soiled places, leave for a few hours, or a day or two, then brush off the pipe clay with a small scrubbing brush kept for the purpose.

TO CLEAN WHITE FUR CLOTH

Brush the cloth the way of the nap, shake, dip a clean sponge in alcohol and wash thoroughly in the direction the nap goes. Have mixed one part powdered borax and three parts powdered starch, and sprinkle on while the cloth is wet, all it will hold. Leave in a clean place for three days, then brush out all the starch.

TO WASH WHITE SWEATERS AND SHAWLS

Use a tablespoonful of Pearline to each pailful of warm water. Cover the garment with this, press down with the hands to squeeze out the dirty water. Let soak thirty minutes, pour off the water and repeat till clean. Rinse in several clean warm waters, but do not lift from the tub or bucket the garment is washed in. Take out of doors, pour off all the water possible. Squeeze the garment into a bunch in the two hands and dump quickly on a dry sheet on the grass in the hot sun. Spread the garment in shape and let dry. It will be perfect. If the sun is not hot enough to dry it on the grass, the garment may be spread on a sheet stretched on quilting or curtain frames across boxes or chairs.

REMOVING STAINS

TO REMOVE BLOOD STAINS FROM COTTON

To remove blood stains from cotton, wet the spots with cold water, sprinkle with salt and rub lightly.

Or soak the material in salt and water, afterwards washing in soap and water.

A spot on a starched garment may be removed by applying a thick paste of corn starch and cold water.

TO REMOVE BLOOD STAINS FROM SILK

Use strong cold borax water.

TO REMOVE CHOCOLATE AND COCOA STAINS

Wash first in cold, then pour boiling water through the stains.

TO REMOVE COFFEE STAINS

Spread the stained part over a basin, rub in powdered borax and pour boiling water through, and let soak.

TO REMOVE FRUIT STAINS

Spread the stained part over a basin, and pour boiling water through, let soak for thirty minutes and launder as usual. Let dry in the sun.

Another method is to moisten the spots with camphor before wetting with water, then launder as usual.

TO REMOVE GRASS STAINS

Rub the stain with molasses, laundering as usual, afterward. Another way is to saturate the spot with kerosene, and launder. Alcohol will remove grass stains in materials that will not launder.

TO REMOVE CANDLE GREASE

Use gasoline on a soft cloth.

TO REMOVE AXLE GREASE

To remove axle grease on washable garments, cover thickly with butter, let stand a few minutes, wash in gasoline, and then in soap and water.

Grease may be removed from overalls by putting them in cold water, with plenty of soap, and as soon as the water boils, add about three tablespoonfuls of kerosene and boil a few minutes. Do not pour kerosene from a kerosene can near a fire, but pour it from a can into a dipper away from fire, and then pour from the dipper quickly into the boiler.

Chloroform will remove grease from the most delicate fabrics, but it is apt to leave a mark and for that reason, ether is more universally used.

French chalk put around the edge of a spot before cleaning with gasoline on cloth, will prevent a mark from showing.

TO REMOVE INDELIBLE INK OR PENCIL MARKS

Dampen the spot with water, and rub with the head of a common match.

TO REMOVE INK STAINS

Cover the ink stain on any fabric with Hydrogen Peroxide, lay in the sun and air, and repeat till the stain disappears.

Ink may be removed from wash goods by melting a piece of tallow, putting the spot in the hot tallow and washing as usual. On colored garments that will not wash, drop melted tallow and scrape off with a knife. If the stain does not all come out, put a clean piece of blotting paper over it, and press with a hot iron.

TO REMOVE INK FROM WOODEN FLOORS

Use lemon juice and salt, without soap.

TO REMOVE RED INK

Use ammonia and water.

TO REMOVE IODINE STAINS

Cover the stain on cloth as soon as possible with a paste of corn starch and water. Change for fresh paste and repeat till stain disappears.

If the stain is on wood, apply the paste, let stand a few minutes, and rub with a soft cloth.

TO REMOVE IRON RUST FROM WASH GOODS

Wet the spot with lemon juice, sprinkle with salt, and hold over boiling water so the steam can go through. If very badly rusted, add three tablespoonfuls of cream of tartar to three gallons of water, and boil the stained garments in it for about one hour.

Another way is to boil pie plant in enough water to soak the dress, remove the pie plant and soak the dress in the water for some time, then wash as usual.

TO REMOVE LEMON JUICE STAINS

Mix one tablespoonful of ammonia in four tablespoonfuls of water, and sponge lightly.

TO REMOVE MACHINE OIL

Apply kerosene to the spots, and launder as usual.

Cover an oil spot on silk with block magnesia shaved in fine powder. Leave on for a time, shake off, and repeat if necessary.

TO REMOVE MILDEW

Cover the mildew on wash goods with molasses, then launder as usual.

Or soak the stains in buttermilk several hours, then wash.

TO REMOVE MILK STAINS

Wash first in cold, then hot water.

Apply absorbent cotton at once when milk is spilled on woolens.

Alcohol will remove milk on colored garments.

TO REMOVE MUD STAINS FROM CLOTH

Use water in which a sliced raw potato has soaked.

TO REMOVE PAINT

Rub turpentine thoroughly into the material. If the paint is very dry, mix a little ammonia with the turpentine. Keep all cleaning fluids away from fire.

Ether is also good for removing paint.

TO REMOVE PERSPIRATION STAINS

To remove perspiration stains from white waists, soak the stained part in baking soda and cold water. Repeat, if necessary, after thirty minutes.

For silk waists, sponge the spot carefully with a little cold water, and cover with powdered prepared chalk. When thoroughly dry, brush carefully with a soft brush.

To remove perspiration stains on white cotton from wearing black silk, boil the garment in one-half gallon of water containing a handful of peach leaves.

TO REMOVE SCORCH STAINS

Apply Peroxide of Hydrogen.

TO REMOVE TEA STAINS

Wash in cold, and then pour boiling water through the spot. Soak an obstinate tea stain in glycerine.

TO REMOVE VARNISH STAINS

Saturate in gasoline, then wash in cold water with naphtha soap.

TO REMOVE VINEGAR STAINS

Mix one tablespoonful of ammonia in four tablespoonfuls of water and sponge lightly.

TO REMOVE WINE STAINS

Moisten a red wine stain in cold water and keep covered with salt, and the wet salt will absorb the stain.

Wash yellow wine stains in cold water, then in warm suds.

FURS

STORING FURS

Beat the furs well but carefully, out of doors and hang, if convenient, on a line in the sun for an hour or more. Then lay in a box lined with newspapers, putting paper between parts of the furs that must lap over one another. Wrap the box in newspapers, putting a heavy express paper over all, sticking all edges of this last paper with mucilage.

CLEANING BLACK LYNX

Clean it with a stiff brush dipped in a solution of ammonia and water.

TO CLEAN CHINCHILLA

Make a paste of prepared chalk and water, put on the fur with a wide brush and let dry. Beat the fur lightly to remove the chalk.

If chinchilla fur gets wet, suspend it near heat, beating it lightly every few minutes. Harder furs require stiff brushes to smooth them, always stroking in the direction the fur lies.

If furs get wet, absorb all possible moisture by applying hot towels, before hanging to dry.

TO CLEAN ERMINE

Smooth starch with water till like paste. Dip a piece of clean white flannel in this paste, rub the furs well with it and leave near fire to dry. Then brush it with a stiff brush, and shake thoroughly to remove the flour.

TO CLEAN MINK

Brush thoroughly with dry corn meal.

TO CLEAN SEALSKIN

Spread sawdust over sealskin and spray benzine over the sawdust. When nearly dry, brush off with a whisk broom, then brush so the hair stands up, and let it air.

TO CLEAN WHITE FUR

Lay the fur flat on a table, take a clean white cloth and rub dampened corn meal into the fur, always rubbing the way the fur lies. Rub carefully till the fur is filled. Shake, and if not clean, repeat the operation, using plenty of dry corn meal to dry it at the last.

White fur may be cleaned by rubbing in a paste of corn meal and gasoline, repeating, if the fur is badly soiled. Shake well, and air. Clean all things out of doors when using gasoline.

DISINFECTANTS, SCENTS, ETC.

Essence of cinnamon evaporating in a shallow dish is an agreeable disinfectant.

A little charcoal mixed with water thrown in a sink will deodorize it.

A small piece of charcoal should be placed inside the refrigerator to insure a sweet interior. It should also be placed in dark closets. Renew every week or two.

Put a piece of camphor gum in a saucer and apply a hot poker.

Put a few pieces of dried orange peel on a hot stove, or in an old tin can or shovel, and allow it to smoulder.

Broken pieces of pumice stone may be saturated with oil of lavender to create a pleasant odor in a room. Or a few drops of the oil may be dropped into a bowl of boiling water, letting it stand till cold.

Eau-de-cologne may be burned in an old iron spoon made red hot; or it may be poured over block ammonia placed in an earthen jar.

A little oil of sandalwood dropped on a hot shovel will impart a delightful fragrance to a room.

The odor of paint, and of tobacco smoke in a room may be dispelled by setting a dish of cold water in the room.

A dish of ground roasted coffee is one of the best preservatives to leave in cellar.

LIME WATER

Put a piece of unslacked lime the size of an egg in an earthen vessel, pouring over it a quart of cold water. Allow it to stand a few hours, then filter it through clean white blotting paper. Pour it into a clean bottle, cork and keep in a cool dark place. A teaspoonful of lime water in a cupful of milk or water, almost destroys any deleterious substance there. It gives no unpleasant taste.

SCENTING LINENS

Underlinen is delightfully scented by placing broken orris root in the bureau drawers and hanging in small muslin bags in the closets.

A few drops of any preferred scent put on broken pumice stone and scattered through drawers and boxes, gives a delicious perfume.

Sachet powder mixed with powdered orris root in equal parts, preserves the fragrance much longer than by using sachet powder alone.

Pack away bed linen with leaves of dried rosemary or sweet lavender.

COLOGNE

½ oz. bergamot
¼ oz. oil of lemon
½ oz. English lavender
½ drachm neroli
1 quart alcohol

FILLING A ROSE JAR No. 1

Gather rose leaves in June, pack in a covered stone jar with alternate layers of salt, and keep in a dry cool place for a week after sufficient leaves are packed. Then turn out on a paper spread on a table, and mix very thoroughly. Add the following ingredients, mix well and put in the jar for six weeks before filling the rose jars. Leave rose jars uncovered for a short time only, as the perfume is easily exhausted.

½ oz. powdered violet
½ oz. powdered rose
½ oz. powdered heliotrope
1 oz. powdered orris root
4 drops oil of roses
10 drops oil of neroli
½ teaspoonful mace
½ teaspoonful cloves
¼ teaspoonful cinnamon
2 drachms pure alcohol
20 drops oil of eucalyptus
10 drops oil of bergamot
20 drops oil of lavender

FILLING ROSE JAR No. 2

Gather rose leaves in June and put a layer in a covered stone jar, then add a layer of salt; spread thickly over this stick cinnamon and whole cloves; pour over these a pint of alcohol, cover and allow to remain one week, then mix and fill into rose jar.

PESTS OF VARIOUS KINDS

ANTS

¼ cupful water
1 teaspoonful sugar
1 teaspoonful tartar emetic

Mix and place where ants congregate.

Wash a large sponge, press dry, then sprinkle with fine sugar and place where ants are thick. They will fill the sponge, which may be dropped in boiling water, squeezed out, and placed ready for them again.

A small cloth saturated with oil of sassafras will cause ants to leave.

RED ANTS

Several ways of getting rid of red ants are good. Use whichever is easiest for you in your locality.

The sponge remedy given for ants is good.

1 teaspoonful paregoric with one-fourth cupful water is effective when sprinkled around.

Sugar well mixed with pulverized plaster of paris sprinkled about will drive them away.

Sprigs of fresh parsley laid around food will cause ants to disappear.

RATS AND MICE

Put sprays of peppermint or peppermint essence where mice have been, and they will not return.

Or stuff pieces of sponge in holes where they enter.

Sprinkle sulphur about house and barn where rats come in, and they will be driven away.

To stuff the holes where they enter with soap sprinkled with cayenne pepper, will keep them out.

FLIES

Mix one-half teaspoonful black pepper and one teaspoonful of sugar in one teaspoonful cream and put on a plate, and flies will disappear.

Two teaspoonfuls formaldehyde in two cupfuls of water poured into shallow dishes and set around tables where flies are troublesome, will destroy them.

A little bit of sassafras on a small cloth laid in an old baking powder or other can cover, will drive flies away.

Flies dislike mignonette, and they despise hop vines.

ROACHES

Cucumber peel scattered around the haunts of roaches and left over night, gets rid of the bugs.

Mix a dough of corn meal and strong borax solution, shape into little cakes and place on pantry shelves to feed roaches so they will refuse to return.

A weak solution of turpentine might be poured down water pipes once a week to keep water bugs away.

SPARROWS

A little molasses put on their roosting places causes them to leave.

MOTHS

Blotting paper saturated with turpentine placed where moths are apt to work, will prevent their havoc.

Sassafras bark scattered among woolens and furs is a preventive of moths.

Saturate an old sheet with formaldehyde and hang in the closet containing moths, first stopping all possible cracks and keyhole, and leaving there for a day.

If moths get into carpets, draperies and furniture, use the just given formaldehyde cure.

Where moths are apt to injure carpets, boil a few camphor balls in water and sweep with a clean broom, dipping frequently in the mixture.

Or scatter powdered borax plentifully about.

An effective, quick way to rid carpets and furniture of moths, is to use an oil atomizer and spray them with one teaspoonful carbolic acid, mixed in one quart benzine.

SCENT BAGS TO HANG IN CLOSETS

¼ oz. ground cloves
¼ oz. caraway seed
1 oz. dry salt
½ lb. lavender flowers
½ oz. dried thyme
½ oz. dried mint

Mix well and put in small bags in closets and among clothes. This mixture is said to be a preventive of moths.

FLOWERS, PLANTS AND GREEN THINGS

Add a little salt, saltpeter or soda to the water containing cut flowers, or place them in cold soap suds, to aid in their preservation.

Another way is to fill a vase nearly full of fresh bits of charcoal, adding water till the vase is nearly full of water, place flowers in it, and change water daily.

Cut flowers with a sharp knife instead of scissors, if you wish them to keep for a longer time.

NASTURTIUMS

After picking, put them in rather hot water and the stems soon become stiff, so the blooms will stay up.

By tying a soft thread around buds, they may be kept from opening for several days.

A FLOWER CENTER PIECE

Cover any size embroidery hoop with mosquito netting, placing over a low bowl, and stick short stemmed flowers through it.

A GROWING CENTER PIECE

Plant a five cent package of old fashioned portulaca seed in your fern dish for beautiful greenery.

A flower pot may be covered with a straw sleeve protector or made attractive by decorating in green oil paints in leaf designs.

GROWING GREENS

Mix mustard and turnip seed and sow thickly in odd spots in garden or yard. They grow rapidly, can be cut off and will grow again. Horse radish is also good to have growing.

MINT

Grow fresh mint for cooking, in less than a week in a glass jar of water. Do not change, but add to the water each day or two, and keep the sprays short by pinching off the tops.

VINES

Vines should be trained on a strong black thread in a window garden.

A sweet potato, not kiln dried, placed in a bowl containing a few inches of water, will grow beautiful greens.

TO HASTEN GROWTH

Thoroughly dissolve one tablespoonful epsom salts in one-half gallon cool water, and pour over plant roots.

FLOWERS FOR WINTER

Save the most perfect buds of the desired flowers, cut with a three inch stem and cover the end immediately with sealing wax. When they have shrunken some, wrap each one in a piece of paper and keep in a dry box. When ready for them in winter, take them at night, cut off the ends, and place in water containing a little niter of salt. The following day the flowers will bloom as though just picked.

PRESERVING FOR DECORATION

Gather red berries like pods of roses, and bright red berries and dip in melted paraffin for decorating in winter.

HYACINTHS

Plant four or five bulbs in October in a six inch pot, and place in the cellar till six weeks before Christmas, then bring gradually to the light. If about to bloom too soon, put in a darker cooler place; if too slow, put in a warmer lighter place.

TO KEEP CYCLAMEN BLOOMING

Do not cast it aside after repeated blooming, but in the spring, dig a hole in the ground, set the pot in and water as usual. In the fall, place it in a sunny window, keep moist with warm water and it will bloom like new.

TO ROOT OLEANDERS

Cut off a strong slip, cut a slot in the end and fill full of cotton, wrapping paper around it so it will not touch the bottle, and put it in a bottle of water in a dark place for a week. It should have plenty of roots by that time, and is ready to plant carefully in rich soil.

Other woody plants may be rooted in this way.

SLIPPING GERANIUMS

Insert an oat or a grain of rye in the bottom of the slip, put in a pot, keep moist, and the result is wonderful.

FERNS AND PALMS

Do not place ferns on windows or in a draft.

Moisten the soil around them each week with not too strong cold tea.

When the fronds droop, the fern is usually root-bound.

Two tablespoonfuls of olive or castor oil poured on the roots of large ferns and palms once a month, does wonders. Use less quantities for smaller plants.

PALMS

Keep palms washed clean with luke warm water and milk and give them from one to two tablespoonfuls olive or castor oil, according to their size, once a month.

A fresh green pineapple top may be planted and grown into a fine palm.

RUBBER PLANTS

Give them oil as advised for ferns and palms. If the leaves become spotted, turn yellow and drop, give the roots some sweet skim milk once or twice each week.

FROZEN POTTED PLANTS

Turn boxes or other covers immediately over them, covering them with blankets, papers, or anything to entirely keep out light; or set them in a perfectly dark closet to thaw naturally, without light. Bulbs frozen in water should be set away from a ray of light and brought out on a milder day.

TO KILL BURDOCKS

Cut off close to the ground and drop a few drops of gasoline from an old kerosene can on the roots.

PLANT BUGS

One teaspoonful ammonia to one quart warm water on roots of plants destroys worms and bugs.

To rid plants of lice, spray with two tablespoonfuls oil of sassafras well stirred in one quart of lukewarm water.

TO SHARPEN LAWN MOWERS

Spread a mixture of emery dust and black oil as thick as molasses, on the concave cutter bar beneath the knives. Remove the cast head covering on the outside of one wheel and place a crank on the end of the axle, and turn backward. This turns the knife cylinder rapidly and draws the knife edges through the emery and oil. The kitchen range shaker or clothes wringer crank may be utilized for the crank.

BOTTLES, GLASS UTENSILS, MIRRORS, ETC.

TO CLEAN BOTTLES

Wash first in cold water, then in hot water with baking soda.

Cut up raw potato parings very finely, fill the bottle with them, cover with warm water and let stand twenty four hours. Remove a few of the parings, shake the bottle thoroughly, turn all out, and wash the bottle. It should be perfectly clean.

Crush egg shells and put in a bottle with clear cold water. Shake thoroughly, empty, and rinse well.

Put a piece of soap and a handful of small cinders in a bottle with hot water, shake thoroughly, rinse well, and drain.

TO CUT A BOTTLE No. 1

Wind cotton twine two or three times around the bottle just below where it is to be cut. Drop kerosene or alcohol very slowly on the cord until it is saturated, then ignite it with a match. When the flame has nearly died out, pour on a little cold water, and the bottle separates smoothly.

TO CUT A BOTTLE No. 2

To file, drill, or saw glass with a hack saw, keep the tool edge wet with camphor dissolved in turpentine.

TO CUT GLASS

Fill a deep pan with water, put the hands, glass and scissors completely under water and hold them there while cutting any desired shape in glass.

REMOVING STOPPERS FROM BOTTLES

Wrap the stopper round with a cloth dipped in boiling water. If the bottle contains smelling salts, put it into vinegar and water. Leave it a short time in a warm place, then stand it in hot water. Then hold it in one hand and tap it on first one side and then the other with a piece of wood, with an upward stroke.

Another way is to put a few drops of olive oil around the glass stopper, leave for an hour or more, and if it refuses to be moved, place the whole bottle in warm water and tap the stopper carefully on each side.

TO REMOVE A CORK FROM BOTTLE

Tie a nail on the loop of a string so it will not float, get the string under the cork and pull it out.

To keep a cork from sticking in a glue bottle, rub it with vaseline.

TO MAKE A CORK SMALLER

Cut two wedge shaped pieces out of it at right angles across the small end, and it will fit tightly.

TO KEEP GAS GLOBES FROM BREAKING

Keep a paper clip over the edge of the globe.

POURING HOT LIQUIDS IN GLASSES

Put a silver spoon in a glass to prevent its breaking, when hot liquid is poured in.

WHEN GLASSES STICK TOGETHER

To separate glasses that stick together, set the lower glass in warm water and fill the upper with cold water.

WASHING GLASS

Wash cut glass in lukewarm water and brush with a bristle brush.

A little soda in the water is good.

Use small turkish towels for drying glass and silver, or fine linen ones.

MIRRORS

To clean mirrors, use a soft cloth dipped in alcohol, and polish with a clean dry cloth.

Stains may be removed from mirrors by using a soft cloth dipped in spirits of camphor, polishing afterwards.

Never allow the sun to shine on a mirror, as it softens the backing, making the glass cloudy.

MENDING CHINA

Use common white lead for mending china and glass.

Apply the paint to the edges with a small stick, place rubber bands or twine around it to hold the parts together, and set away to become thoroughly hardened.

It is very much better, however, to immediately throw out a piece of broken china, as all the mending in the world never makes it perfect, and there can be no satisfaction in having an imperfect piece of china that is liable at any time to fall apart and break several other pieces.

CEMENT FOR CHINA AND GLASS

Use common white lead.

CEMENT FOR ENAMEL WARE

Mix equal parts of finely sifted coal ashes, sifted table salt, and soft putty. Fill the hole with this mixture and set the dish on the fire with a little water in it till the cement hardens.

Cement for joining leather, wood, and paper to metal mix one teaspoonful of glycerine with a gill of blue.

FOR MENDING RUBBER ARTICLES

Try a piece of adhesive plaster where it is practicable.

CANDLES, LAMPS, ETC.

Keep candles in the refrigerator several hours, to harden them, to prevent drooping when used for decorations.

Fancy candles may be washed with a soft brush, with soap and water.

Put fine salt on a lighted candle to make it last.

Save all small candle ends to use in sealing fruit jars.

When carrying a candle in a draft, fasten it by its melted grease in a tumbler, using a short candle.

FILLING OIL LAMPS, ETC.

Fill oil lamps with a funnel kept for the purpose.

Boil the burners occasionally in soda water.

Place a small lump of camphor in the oil to brighten lamplight.

If a lamp gets overturned, never pour water on it, but use earth, flour or sand.

LAMP WICKS

Soak a new lampwick in vinegar and dry perfectly before using, to prevent it smelling badly.

When a lampwick is too large, do not cut down the side, but draw several threads from the middle of the wick.

Put a new wick in a lamp through the top instead of the bottom of the burner.

Dip one inch of the end of a wick in starch and iron perfectly dry, to insert it easily in a burner.

Sew a piece of white flannel to the bottom of large lamp wicks and they may be used a much longer time.

TO CLEAN LAMP CHIMNEYS

Wipe chimney with a cloth moistened with vinegar, then polish.

A few drops of alcohol rubbed on the inside of a lamp chimney will remove all the black.

PAPER AND BOOKS

TO MAKE WATERPROOF PAPER

Mix sulphuric acid of an exact strength with one-half its weight of water. A sheet of common paper placed in this solution becomes hard and fibrous, yet its weight is not increased, and it makes a better parchment for writing purposes than animal parchment.

TO RESTORE FADED WRITING

Moisten the paper with water, then brush over with a solution of hydric-ammonia.

TO PREVENT MOULD ON BOOKS

Wipe the shelves with oil of cedar.

TO CLEAN SOILED BOOKS

Use two parts of water to one part of vinegar, rub over the soiled pages, and leave the book open to dry.

Book covers soiled by grease may be cleaned by putting pipe clay or French chalk over the spots, then applying a warm iron.

To clean the edges (where they are not gilt edges) close the book tightly and erase with an ink eraser.

COOK BOOK COVERS

Cook books should be covered with oil cloth or waxed paper.

TO MAKE LIBRARY PASTE

1½ pints rain water
1 oz. gum tragacanth
a few drops of essential oil

Put in jars and be sure to keep tightly covered, and it is always ready for use.

COAL, STOVES, FURNACES, ETC.

TO PREVENT SOOT IN CHIMNEYS

Burn raw potato parings in the stove, or pieces of zinc to prevent having soot accumulate.

TO SEE OBSTRUCTIONS IN A CHIMNEY

Remove the soot-pan, place a hand mirror in the opening, and you can see to the top unless obstructed.

Vinegar will remove lime spots and soot from an open chimney.

TO START A FIRE

Keep ashes in an old tin can and pour over kerosene enough to soak them. Have the grate clean and wood laid on it ready to light. Place two spoonfuls of ashes on the wood, then lay a few sticks over the ashes, have dampers open, and light the ashes. Keep the can of ashes outside, away from fire and your kindling is always ready. A brick may be soaked in kerosene a short time and laid in a grate and lighted to start either coal or wood. When the kerosene is burned out and the brick cold, it may be soaked again.

To start a fire in the grate, first take a newspaper and insert in opening just above grate, then light paper; this will warm up the chimney flue and prevent smoke from coming into room after lighting fire. This also applies in starting hard and soft coal burners.

To free a grate from cinders, dump clam or oyster shells into the grate.

TO KEEP A FIRE

Soak two or three newspapers in clean cold water, squeeze out the water, and make the papers into good sized balls. Pack these tightly together on top of the red hot coal fire, and it will keep for hours.

When a quick fire is needed, tear a newspaper into quarters without unfolding, twist each one tightly, lay closely in the stove, and light one end.

Throw on a few pieces of coal and sprinkle table salt over them. At the end of several hours, there will be a good fire.

TO WATERPROOF MATCHES

Dip them in very hot melted paraffin and when cool, they are ready for use.

TO CLEAN DISCOLORED FIREPLACE BRICK

Rub into the bricks as much linseed oil as they will absorb, and repeat till they are clear.

BLACKING A STOVE

Use a paint brush to apply the blacking. Just before using stove polish, mix a tablespoonful of gasoline with a saucer of polish. Be sure the stove is cold and never use gasoline around heat.

Turpentine is also good to use with polish.

Clean the steel parts with boiled linseed oil on a woolen cloth, and clean the nickle with whiting and ammonia.

If a stove is washed, then rubbed well with a few drops of linseed oil on a woolen cloth, it will never need polishing.

IN THE OVEN

Paint the inside of the oven with aluminum paint and it is a pleasure to be able to see every article in it.

A little salt sprinkled on the bottom of the oven will prevent cakes burning.

When possible during the winter months, do the baking in the furnace.

When the hinges on the oven door are worn and the doors fail to catch, put washers of iron on the bolt.

TO CUT STOVE PIPE

Cut stove pipe easily with a can opener.

GAS STOVES

Wash them each time they are used, and wash with kerosene once each week.

Keep two pieces of sheet iron on top of a gas stove, large enough to cover it. Enough heat will be diffused from one or two burners to cook a whole meal. It will also keep dishes hot.

On top of the gas stove under the burners, is a good place to spread a paper to catch falling particles.

TO CLEAN ASBESTOS GAS LOGS

To clean the asbestos gas log when it becomes blackened, sprinkle it with salt, light the gas, and the asbestos turns white.

TO CLEAN A GAS MANTLE

When smoke has blackened a gas mantle, sprinkle salt from a salt shaker on it, slowly, light the gas and let the salt burn off a little at a time.

TO WHITEN A HEARTH

Melt a little size in a jar with a quart of boiling water. When the size is melted, mix in the same quantity of whiting with just a bit of washing-blue. Wash the hearth, then paint with the mixture. Clean it by wiping with a cloth wrung out of cold water. When the whiting needs renewing, wash the hearthstone in hot water, and apply the mixture. Add more water when the mixture requires.

PACKING THE STOVE AWAY

Rub a little oil, vaseline or kerosene over a stove before packing it away, to prevent rusting.

ABOUT PLUMBING

Slip a piece of garden hose about an inch long over the end of the faucets in the kitchen sink to prevent breaking dishes on the faucets.

TO PREVENT PIPES FREEZING

After water is shut off, always sprinkle a good handful of coarse salt over the holes in the sink with just enough water to carry it to the curve of the waste pipe. Treat all similar curves in the same manner.

TO THAW FROZEN PIPES

Use a hot water bottle.

When pipes become frozen in the yard, have an electrician connect a transformer of suitable size into circuit; one lead of the secondary is connected to the water valve or pipe near the curb and the other lead is connected to the water piping in the house. The current is then turned on, and the heat developed by the resistance of the water pipe to the flow of the electric current soon thaws the pipe.

A pipe-thawing electrical outfit is now manufactured.

CLEANING METALS, ETC.

TO CLEAN ALUMINUM KETTLES

Boil rhubarb peelings in them for thirty minutes.

TO CLEAN BRASS

Dip half a lemon in fine salt and rub over the stains, wipe with a soft cloth, and polish with a woolen cloth.

After cleaning brass, polish with equal parts of paraffin and naphtha with enough rottenstone to make a good paste. Then polish with a soft dry cloth.

Ammonia in a little water will remove verdigris from brass.

Drop rusty curtain pins into ammonia water and let them remain for ten minutes, then dry on soft cloth.

TO CLEAN BRONZE

Use salt and vinegar (or lemon juice), then rinse in clear water and polish with a clean woolen cloth.

TO CLEAN COPPER

Proceed as in To Clean Brass.

TO CLEAN ENAMELED WARE

Use salt and vinegar.

Or, put soda in the enameled lined vessel, and let come to a boil.

TO CLEAN GOLD

Dip in a solution of one teaspoonful of ammonia to one quart of water, rinse in clear warm water, and dry on soft cloth.

TO PRESERVE POLISHED IRON WORK

Add olive oil to copal varnish till the mixture is rather greasy, then mix in as much turpentine as there is varnish and apply.

TO CLEAN NICKEL

Use whiting and ammonia.

TO CLEAN PEWTER

Wash with hot water, rub with fine sand, dry and polish with leather.

TO CLEAN SILVER

Apply kerosene with a brush or soft cloth, rinse in boiling water and dry with soft towels.

Dissolve one-fourth cupful sal-soda in one gallon of water, heat to boiling, immerse the silver, being sure it is entirely covered in water, let stand five minutes, rinse, and wipe dry.

Another method is, boil the silver in an aluminum kettle for thirty minutes, and dry with a soft towel.

TO REMOVE EGG STAIN FROM SILVER

Use wet salt.

TO KEEP SILVER UNTARNISHED

Sprinkle a few pieces of camphor gum in boxes or drawers where it is kept.

TO CLEAN STEEL

Emery powder and oil rubbed to a paste is good to clean steel. After cleaning, polish with an oiled rag, and then with a soft dry cloth.

TO REMOVE RUST FROM STEEL

Use plenty of kerosene. If possible, lay on or wrap about the rusted parts, cloths soaked in kerosene, leaving them for a day or two. Then apply salt wet in hot vinegar, or scour with brick dust. Rinse in hot water and dry with a soft woolen cloth, finishing with an oil rub and polish with a soft cloth.

TO CLEAN TIN

Rub with a damp cloth dipped in soda.

TO CLEAN ZINC

Clean with kerosene on a soft cloth, and wash in boiling water.

TO CLEAN ENAMELED WOODWORK

Dampen a flannel cloth in warm water, dip in whiting and apply to the wood. Rinse in clear warm water, and dry with a soft cloth.

TO CLEAN OILED WOODWORK

Use cold tea with a soft cloth, and wipe with a dry cloth.

TO CLEAN PAINTED WOODWORK

Use one dessertspoonful of soda to one bucketful of warm water. Wash, and wipe with a dry, clean, soft cloth.

Kerosene is good to clean any painted or polished woodwork. Use one tablespoonful to a bucketful of warm water.

Rub with a lemon, all marks left by scratching matches on painted wood.

TO CLEAN WINDOWS

Use a cloth moistened in denatured alcohol, and polish immediately with a soft dry cloth.

Or a tablespoonful of kerosene to a gallon of warm water.

TO CLEAN OLD PAINT BRUSHES

To clean a brush that is dried and stiff from standing in paint or varnish, dip it repeatedly in boiling vinegar till it softens. Then wash it in warm soap suds, rinse in warm water, and dry.

TO POLISH FURNITURE

Mix equal parts of olive oil, vinegar and turpentine. Apply with a soft cloth and rub dry with a soft clean flannel.

DUST CLOTHS

Dip a soft piece of cheese cloth about a yard square in kerosene, do not wring very dry, but hang out of doors for twenty four hours before using.

Old pieces of soft flannel soaked in paraffin all night, wrung out as dry as possible and hung out of doors about twenty four hours, make nice furniture polishers and cleaners.

CLEANING BRIC-A-BRAC, ETC.

TO CLEAN ALABASTER ORNAMENTS

Apply a paste made of quick lime and water, leave on a few days, and wash off with warm water and soap.

TO CLEAN IVORY

Brush with a soft tooth brush in lukewarm water. Use alcohol if the ivory is discolored and dry in the sun, if possible.

TO CLEAN MARBLE

Mix two parts of soda, one of pumice stone, and one of salt, with warm water to form a paste.

TO CLEAN PLASTER STATUETTES

Dip the statue several times in a strong solution of soda in water, rubbing badly soiled places with a soft cloth.

CLEANING COMPOUNDS

TO REMOVE GREASE FROM ALL FABRICS

1 pint deodorized benzine
1 oz. alcohol
1 oz. spirits of ammonia

Shake well, apply with a sponge and rub. When dry, press with a slightly warm iron.

TO CLEAN ALL FABRICS

3 drachms sulphuric ether
3 drachms chloroform
6 drachms alcohol
1 quart gasoline

Let the articles to be cleaned remain in the fluid from one to twelve hours. If small pieces are to be cleaned, immerse them in the mixture in a glass fruit jar with the top screwed tightly. Laces, feathers, silks, woolens, etc., clean beautifully in this.

TO CLEAN CARPETS

2 buckets lukewarm rain water
1½ bars naphtha soap
1 oz. borax
1 oz. cleaning soda
1 oz. Fuller’s earth

Scrub the mixture on the carpet with a scrubbing brush, and wipe dry with clean cloths.

TO CLEAN WALL PAPER

1 quart cold water
1¼ cupfuls aqua ammonia
10c worth oil of sassafras
2 teaspoonfuls salt
1 teaspoonful soda

Mix, and add flour till stiff enough to drop from spoon. Cook in a covered pail set in a kettle of boiling water, stirring often, till done. If the mixture does not stick to the hands when cool, it is done, and can be kneaded into loaves. Rub the wall with pieces of the loaf, using the pieces over and over. Keep the loaves covered when not using.

MEMORANDA

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INDEX

around the kitchen stove, 12

cooking utensils, 14

other helps, 13

preface, 7

read this, 16

suggestions for starting the day, 9

the garbage, 12

the kitchen floor, 11

the kitchen sink, 10

the kitchen table, 11

weights and measures, 15

COOKING RECIPES

after dinner mints, 162

almond nut forcemeat, 66

angel cake, 126

apple and fig jam, 168

apple cake, 126

apple chutney, 177

apple dumplings, 103

apple dumpling sauce, 103

apple fritters, 93

apple jelly, 166

apple pie, 94

apple salad, No. 1, 90

apple salad, No. 2, 90

apple sauce, 119

apple snow, 115

apricot pie, 97

baked apples, No. 1, 119

baked apples, No. 2, 119

baked asparagus, 53

baked beans, 53

baked beets, 56

baked buckwheat cakes, 28

baked cabbage, 57

baked cheese, No. 1, 40

baked cheese, No. 2, 40

baked eggs, 35

baked indian pudding, 108

baked lima beans, 55

baked onions, 73

baked parsnips, 73

baked potatoes, 69

baked protose, 73

baked prunes, 119

baked squash, 75

baking biscuits, 26

baking cakes, 124

baking powder biscuits, 26

baking powder doughnuts, 123

baking powder dumplings, 103

baking powder griddle cakes, 29

banana cream, No. 1, 115

banana cream, No. 2, 115

banana fritters, 93

banana whip, 115

bean croquettes, 54

bean hash, 55

bean soup, 48

beating eggs, 34

beet hash, 56

bengal chutney, 177

berry icing, 138

bird’s nest toast, 32

biscuits, 26

boiled asparagus, 53

boiled beets, 56

boiled cabbage, 57

boiled carrots, 58

boiled chestnuts, 63

boiled corn, 59

boiled eggs, 35

boiled icing, 138

boiled onions, 67

boiled parsnips, 73

boiled potatoes, 69

boiled rice, 69

boiled salad dressing, No. 1, 85

boiled salad dressing, No. 2, 85

boiled sweet potatoes, 70

boiled turnips, 78

boston brown bread, No. 1, 22

boston brown bread, No. 2, 22

brandy sauce, No. 1, 110

brandy sauce, No. 2, 110

brandy sauce, No. 3, 110

breads, 26

bread doughnuts, 26

bread pudding, 104

brown bread, No. 1, 23

brown bread, No. 2, 23

brussels sprouts, 57

buckwheat griddle cakes, No. 1, 28

buckwheat griddle cakes, No. 2, 30

butter scotch, 160

butter without ice, 149

cake fillings, 135

cakes of many kinds, 126

candies and sweets, 160

candied mint leaves, 164

candied orange and lemon peel, 165

candied violets, 165

canning apples, 174

canning apricots, 174

canning corn, 176

canning grapes, 175

canning green beans, 176

canning peaches, 174

canning pears, 174

canning quinces, 175

canning rhubarb, 175

canning tomatoes, 175

canning vegetables, 176

carrots, 58

carrots with dressing, 58

carrot preserves, 171

carrot pudding, 106

catsup, 178

cauliflower, 59

celery, 59

cereals and breakfast dishes, 32

cheese balls, 40

cheese custard, 41

cheese dreams, 42

cheese pudding, No. 1, 42

cheese pudding, No. 2, 42

cheese salad, No. 1, 87

cheese salad, No. 2, 88

cheese straws, No. 1, 43

cheese straws, No. 2, 43

cheese toast, 33

cherry salad, 84

chili sauce, 179

chilled dishes, 145

chocolate cake, 127

chocolate cookies, 142

chocolate filling, No. 1, 135

chocolate filling, No. 2, 135

chocolate icing, No. 1, 139

chocolate icing, No. 2, 139

chocolate peppermints, 160

chocolate sauce, 148

chutney, catsup, pickles, etc., 177

cinnamon rolls, 95

claret cup, No. 1, 153

claret cup, No. 2, 153

cocoanut cookies, 142

cocoanut icing, 139

cocoanut pie filling, 98

coffee, 158

coffee cake, 127

cold beverages, 153

cold water, 153

coloring icing, 138

cooked cabbage salad, 84

cookies, 142

corn, 59

corn chowder, 57

corn fritters, 93

corn in milk, 59

corn in tomatoes, 59

cornmeal mush, 32

cottage cheese salad, 88

cottage pudding, 106

cranberry jelly, 169

cranberry mould, 120

cranberry sauce, 120

cranberry whip, 116

cream and whipped cream, 114

cream cheese, 41

cream cheese salad, No. 1, 87

cream cheese salad, No. 2, 87

cream dates, 121

cream puffs, 128

cream sauce, 111

cream sauce for vegetables, 57

cream of asparagus soup, 48

cream of pea soup, 48

cream de menthe, 157

cream de menthe sauce, 148

croutons, 47

crustless pie, 98

cucumbers, 60

cucumber relish, 81

currant cream, 145

currant jelly, 169

currant punch, 150

custard pie, 97

custard pie filling, 97

cutting bread, 20

dainty cake, 128

date pie filling, 98

delicate cream, 114

desserts, 93

deviled egg, No. 1, 35

deviled egg, No. 2, 35

dill pickles, 180

divinity candy, 161

divinity fudge, 161

doughnuts, 123

dried apple fruit cake, 129

dried fruit jelly, 170

dried lemon flavoring, 183

dried peach sauce, 122

drip coffee, 159

drop cake, No. 1, 128

drop cake, No. 2, 129

drop nut cakes, 129

dutch or cottage cheese, 40

east india chutney, 177

easy sauce, 111

easy way for jelly, 167

eggs, 82

egg gravy, 36

egg omelet, No. 1, 36

egg omelet, No. 2, 37

eggplant, 60

egg salad in pond lily style, 88

egg sauce, 82

egg substitute, 34

emergency cream, 114

entire wheat bread, 21

everlasting yeast, 17

fancy cream, 116

fig pudding, 106

floating island, 107

fondant, 160

freezing ice cream, 145

french dressing, No. 1, 86

french dressing, No. 2, 87

french mustard, 82

french pancakes with jelly, 31

french pickles, 181

fresh lima beans, 55

fried apples, 120

fried apple pies, 96

fried corn cakes, 60

fried cornmeal mush, 32

fried eggs, 38

fried green tomatoes, 76

fried onions, 67

fried parsnips, 73

fried potatoes, No. 1, 70

fried potatoes, No. 2, 71

fried protose, 73

fried squash, 76

fried tomatoes, 76

fritters, 93

fruits, 119

fruit cake, No. 1, 130

fruit cake, No. 2, 131

fruit cocktail, 154

fruit cookies, 142

fruit filling, 135

fruit icing, 139

fruit jars, 172

fruit omelet, 37

fruit punch, 150

fruit salads, 90

gingerbread, No. 1, 131

gingerbread, No. 2, 131

ginger cookies, 143

ginger pudding, 108

ginger snaps, 143

ginger and grape beverage, 154

gooseberry chutney, 178

gold cake, 132

graham bread, No. 1, 24

graham bread, No. 2, 24

graham biscuits, 26

graham gems, 27

grandma’s bread cake, 132

grape fruit, 121

grape jelly, 169

grape juice punch, 150

grape sherbet, 148

grape wine, 182

gravies, 79

green peas, 74

green relish, 81

green things, 61

green tomato mince meat, 176

griddle cakes, 31

hard sauce, No. 1, 111