Page:Australian enquiry book of household and general information.djvu/123

 for each 30 pounds of tallow. Skim carefully while it is simmering, when cold take it out of the water, and then it is ready to be rendered down and poured into the candle moulds. But don’t do as I did at my first attempt, viz., make them without wicks.

TURPENTINE.

No household should be without a bottle of turpentine. It may almost be called the universal remedy, it is useful in so many ways. A few drops sprinkled in the bottom of the drawers where the boys’ tweed clothes or the winter dresses, furs, etc., are kept, will prevent moths touching them. Sprinkled in the safe, cupboard, and store-room shelves, it will keep ants away. In the beds it is a preventative of bugs, and if a house is infested with them it should be used in the cracks of all the woodwork. It will clean the dirtiest paint if added (a spoonful to a bucket) to the warm water used for washing it. In burns, if applied at once, it gives instant relief. It is good for rheumatism and sore throat. Worms in children, half a teaspoonful for a dose, on an empty stomach. And in washing tweeds, winter dresses, etc., it is invaluable used with ammonia as described elsewhere.

AMMONIA.

To brighten the colours in an old carpet wipe it over with a cloth wrung out of warm water in which has been added a teaspoonful of strongest ammonia.

Dirty door plates can be cleansed with ammonia and water.

One tablespoonful added to a basin of water is better for cleaning windows than soap.

A few drops of ammonia in a cupful of warm water will remove spots from paintings and chromos.

To remove grease spots from delicate fabrics use a solution of ammonia and water, then lay soft paper over and iron with a hot iron.

Ammonia will kill most acids if applied at once. If on coloured clothing use chloroform to restore the colour.

Old brass can be made to look quite new if rubbed with strongest ammonia.

The yellow stains made by sewing machine oil can be removed by rubbing with a cloth wet with ammonia.

Equal parts of ammonia and turpentine will take paint out of clothing, even if ever so hard and dry. Saturate the spots frequently, and wash out with common soap.

To wash tweed suits add one tablespoonful of strong ammonia and two of spirits of turpentine to strong suds. Soak the suits in this while hot (not boiling) let them remain till cool and then wash, without any more soap. If not clean repeat and then rinse two or three times through ammonia and water, and hang out without wringing. Tweed dresses, jackets, &amp;c., &amp;c., can be treated the same way.

Blankets can be washed in warm water and about two tablespoonsful of ammonia and a little soap. Soak some hours and rub very little.