Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 May 1879 — Hints to Bouse Cleaners. [ARTICLE]

Hints to Bouse Cleaners.

Belq,w are a few hints whic h may prove useful to housekeepers: Gum camphor wrapped in paper and laid around sugar barrels wil disperse ants. Paint splashed upon window glass can be easily removed with a hfet solution of soda. A little kerosene applied to stove polish improves the lustre. Apply while the iron is waim. To clean matting wash with a solution of a pint of salt to four gallons of water, and wipe dry immediately, Use kerosene and bath brick or lime to scour zinc, tin or copper; wash in hot suds, and polish with dry whiting. A little spirits of turpentine added to the water with which the floors are washed will prevent the ravages of moths. To remove spots from furniture take four ounces of vinegar, two of sweet oil, and one of turpentine; mix and apply with flannel cloth. A paste made of whiting and Denzine will clean marble, and one made of whiting and chloride of soda spread on marble, will remove spots. One pound of copperas dissolved in one quart of boiling water will destroy foul smells. Powdered borax s< attered in their haunts will disoerse cockroaches. Soot falling on the carpet from chimneys, or from carelessly handled stovepipes, if covered thickly with salt, can be brushed up without damage to the carpet. To clean oilcloths wash always with warm milK. Once in six monthsscrub with hot soapsuds, dry thoroughly, and apply a coat of varnish. They wi’l last as long again. To give glass great,-brilliancy, wash with damp sponge dipped in spirits, then dust with powder blue or whiting (tied in a thin muslin bag) and polish with chamois cloth.

A flannel cloth dipped in warm soap suds, then into whiting, and applied to paint, will instantly remove grease and dir J Wash with clean water, then dry; the most delicate paint will not be injured, and will look like new. Plaster of Paris mixed with gum arabic water makes an excellent white cement, but must be used immediately, as it hardens quickly. A. mixture of five parts gelatine to one of acid chromate of lime applied to broken edges, which should be pressed to gether and exposed to the sunlight, makes an insoluble cement. To whiten walls, scrape off all old whitewash, and wash the walls with a solution of two ounces of white vitriol to four gallons of water. Soak a quarter of a pound of white glue in water for twelve hours; diain and place in a tin pail, cover with fresh water, and set the pail in a hettle of coiling water. When melted stir into the glue eight pounds of whiting, and water enough to maks a mixture as thick as common whitewash. Apjily evenly with a good brush; if the wall's are very yellow, blue the water slightly by squeezing in it a flannel bag containing some powdered blue.