Mother's Remedies by Thomas Jefferson Ritter (positive books to read txt) 📕

Article in the Kitchen.—A useful article in the kitchen is a small microscope. Show the cook how to use one. She will be so horrified if shown dates, prunes, or figs that are germ infested that she will take special pains in washing them. The microscope is also useful to examine cereals, cornmeal, buckwheat and other things which unless kept tight may be unpleasantly infected. [MISCELLANEOUS RECIPES 887]

299. To Restore Freshness to Vegetables.—For the housewife who must practise strict economy, as well as for her who lives at a distance from the market, it is well to know that cabbage, celery or lettuce and their like which have lost the first freshness, may be restored by putting first into warm water, just comfortably warm to the hand, and after fifteen or twenty minutes, you will be surprised to note that it will have the original snappy crispness so much desired. Often the grocer will sell the second day celery and lettuce at half price. The above method will freshen same, and may make quite a saving of bills.

300. Worn Brooms or Whisks.—Worn brooms or whisks may be dipped into hot water and uneven edges trimmed off with shears. This will make the straw harder, and the trimming makes the broom almost as good as new.

301. Making Over a Heatherbloom Petticoat.—When you make over a heatherbloom petticoat, do not cut it off at the top and place the drawing string in again, and do not plait it to fit the band. Instead, place a band around the waist of the person being fitted, pin the petticoat to the band, then make large darts at each seam and cut off that superfluous material that otherwise would need to be put into gathers. It does not destroy the shape and permits the petticoat to lie smoothly over the hips.

302. The Gingham Apron for the Housewife.—The gingham apron for the housewife at her daily tasks, especially if the maid is out and she has any kitchen work to do, is imperative, and she will find the long apron that buttons over the shoulders the most acceptable.

303. After Cleaning the Sewing Machine.—After cleaning the sewing machine, several yards of stitching must be accomplished before the machine runs smoothly and without leaving marks. If you have any long seams on dark material to sew up, sew them now before attempting any light work.

304. To Remove Tangled Threads.—No doubt you often have stopped sewing and patiently picked the threads out of the bobbin under the machine plate, or around the wheels, for this often occurs, says the Woman's National Daily. Save time in the future by lighting a match and burning out the threads, then brush the ashes off and oil the parts.

305. Clothes Rack for Children.—In one home, in the rear hall, is a low rack on which children can hang their coats, hats and mittens when they come in from school. The hanger was made with two stout steel brackets and a curtain pole fitted up with hooks on which the articles were held. On one end of the pole was hung a whiskbroom, and each tot was taught its use.

306. To Remove Dust from Any White Fabric.—To remove dust from any white fabric lay the spot over a tea-kettle of boiling water. Place a cut lemon over the spot, pressing firmly. Remove occasionally, in order to allow the juice to evaporate, and the stain will disappear before one's eyes, no matter how stubborn or how deep set.

888 MOTHERS' REMEDIES

307. Amateur Dressmakers.—Amateur dressmakers will probably find it difficult to decide just how to finish the necks of the collarless frocks and waists that will be worn this summer. If the material is net, there is no prettier decoration than a band of the net piped with silk or satin and braided in a simple design. Necks of tub dresses while there is to be no contrasting yoke, may be trimmed with a threaded beading.

308. To Prevent Marks on the Dining Table.—If you have a highly polished dining table which you are afraid of spoiling, lay a piece of oilcloth on the table under the pad and you will have no trouble.

309. For Cupboard Shelves.—Put a white oilcloth on kitchen shelves instead of paper. The cloth will not turn yellow as the paper does, and can be kept clean while washing dishes.

310. Cleaning Gilt Frames.—When gilt frames or mouldings of the rooms have specks of dirt on them they can be cleaned with white of an egg, rubbed on with a camel's hair brush.

311. To Clean Kid Gloves.—Take a fine soft cloth, dip it into a little sweet milk, then rub it on a cake of soap, and rub the gloves with it. They will look like new.

312. Washing Fine Woolens.—To keep baby's sacques and socks and your own shawls and scarfs as fluffy as when new, dry and put in oven of range, shaking often between the palms while drying.

313. To Wash Grained Woodwork.—To wash grained woodwork take a half pail of hot water, add half a pound of soap chips, and boil until dissolved. Take from fire, add one pint kerosene, then boil for five minutes longer. Add one quarter of this to a half pailful of warm water. Wash woodwork thoroughly, wipe and dry, and lastly use a flannel to polish with.

314. Sewing on Buttons.—How often the mother hears the complaint: "I do wish you wouldn't sew these buttons on so tightly that I can't button them." When you start to sew on a button, before you take a stitch, lay a pin across the face of the button, and sew over the pin. Fasten your thread before you remove the pin, else you will draw the last stitch and spoil it. You will find there is a good shank to the button and yet it is perfectly secure.

315. Airing House After Meals.—After each meal, there should be another thorough airing of the lower floor in the home. No matter how perfectly the system of ventilation, it is impossible to prevent cooking odors. This airing is doubly necessary should there be smokers in the family.

316. House Cleaning Hints.—For the last few days before house cleaning, ornaments and pictures can be washed at one's convenience. They need only be removed or covered when a room is cleaned. With these preparations, the actual cleaning can be done quickly and with much less disturbance of the family routine.

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317. Uses for Men's Old Silk Handkerchiefs.—Men's old silk handkerchiefs should never be thrown away when worn thin. They are just the thing for dusting the polished surface of the piano, ornaments and fine china and glass and bric-a-brac.

318.—Cleaning Fine Fabrics.—In cleaning fabrics great care should be taken not to rub them roughly between the hands. The gentle rubbing on of the solvent with a fresh cloth is sufficient.

319. To Wash White Woolen Blankets.—To wash white woolen blankets, dissolve four tablespoonfuls of good washing powder in a dipperful of boiling water and pour into a tub of warm water. Open the blanket out wide and put it in the tub and let it soak all over for a half an hour. Then rub it all over between the hands, and if there are any stains left, rub them with soap. Rinse in clear water of the same temperature as the wash water. If you do this your blankets will be soft and will not shrink. Do not rub blankets on a washboard, as it makes them hard, and blueing added makes them a dull gray color.

320. To Take Out Wagon Grease.—To take out wagon grease, which is of two kinds, that made from coal tar may be removed from cloth by an application of petroleum; the other, made from animal fat, responds to a sponging of ether.

321. Old Perspiration Stains.—Old perspiration stains may be removed by applying oxalic acid and water in solution, one part of the former to twenty parts of the latter.

322. Eyelet Embroidery.—Eyelet embroidery is one of the daintiest as well as the simplest of embroideries, and, best of all, with a little practice the work can be accomplished quite rapidly. Eyelet embroidery is equally effective done on sheer or heavy material; and neat sewing is all that is required to gain good results.

323. A Convenience for the Household.—A convenience for the household, that will be appreciated by men as well as women, is a wire rack to hang in the closet. It has a series of projecting arms upon which coat hangers may be placed without interfering with each other. This greatly augments the closet room. This rack may be slipped over an ordinary closet hook, and will accommodate five coat hangers.

324. To Turn the Hems of the Table Linen Easily and Accurately.—To turn the hems of the table linen easily and accurately, remove the needle from your sewing machine, adjust the hemmer to the desired width and pass the goods through. They are then ready for hemming by hand. You will find this saves a great deal of time, and gives you a straight, even hem.

325. Soft Wood Floors to Paint.—If a soft wood floor is glue sized, before painting, it will take less paint.

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326. Hanging Out Quilts.—When hanging out quilts and pillows, pound and brush them the first thing, and let the fresh air get into them all day. Most people do this just before taking them in. Consequently the beds did not get the proper airings.

327. Paint that Sticks to Glass.—Paint that sticks to glass can be removed with hot vinegar.

328. Books with Delicate Bindings.—Books with delicate bindings which have become soiled through much handling, can be satisfactorily cleaned by rubbing with chamois skin dipped in powdered pumice stone.

329. Cleaning Silverware.—Old tooth brushes and nail brushes, and old knitted underwear should always be reserved for cleaning silver. Nothing is better than a tooth brush for brushing the dried whiting out of the heavily chased silver or repousse work. The chamois skin is best for the final polishing. If table silver be steeped in hot soap suds immediately after being used, and dried with a soft clean cloth, a regular cleaning will not be needed so often.

330. Cleaning Crockery and Enamel.—By immersing, for a day or two in sour milk, glass, crockery or enamel ware articles may be perfectly cleaned of stains or limey accumulations from hard water. This is much better than a scouring, as the surface is not injured in any way, and every part can be reached.

331. Going to Market.—The housekeeper who goes to market rather than order by telephone will find she gets better things for less money.

332. Moths in Carpets.—If moths have attacked the carpet try putting gasoline on the edges, soaking the nap of the carpet. Also work powdered borax into the carpet wherever there is a sign of moths or under heavy pieces of furniture, which cannot easily be moved in the weekly sweeping.

333. A Serviceable Furniture Brush.—A serviceable furniture brush is made of turkey tail feathers. Take a stout twine and needle, sew the quills tightly together and cover the handle with a piece of oilcloth, smoothly stitched into place, or wrap the handle with cloth and stitch. A brush of this kind is very soft and may be used to dust any highly polished piece of furniture.

334. Uses of a Wooden Spoon.—Never use any but a wooden or silver spoon to stir anything with in cooking. Many a dish is spoiled by the cook stirring it with an iron or metal spoon. Wood is the best when any acid, such as vinegar, is used in the ingredients to be stirred.

335. Boiling Vegetables.—Boil parsnips and such vegetables with thin skins; then peel when cold. The flavor is preserved and your hands are not stained.

336. To Wash Furniture.—Furniture washed with castile soap and tepid water and rubbed with a piece of old silk will look like new.

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337. Old Suitcases and Purses.—When suitcases and purses begin to show wear, coat all the spots with tan water color paint, and when perfectly dry rub over with a little sweet oil. Let stand for an hour, then rub with woolen cloth. Tan and brown shoes which have become scuffed may be treated in the same way.

338. Putting up Lunches.—Those who find the putting up of lunches a part of the daily routine may take comfort in the suggestion of one resourceful woman. When using eggs she sees to it that only a small piece of the shell is broken off from the end of one egg.