Page:Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management.djvu/1998

1794 Make some wooden wedges, and insert between sashes whenever the weather is rough.

The handles of knives should never be immersed in water, as, after a time, if treated in this way the blades will loosen and the handles discolour. The blades should be put in a jug or vessel kept for the purpose, filled with hot soda water. This should be done as soon after the knives are used as possible, as stain and rust quickly sink into steel.

Knives are now generally cleaned by means of a knife-cleaning machine, which gives very little trouble, and is very effective. Before putting the knives into the machine, they should be first washed in a little warm (not hot) water and then thoroughly wiped; if put into the machine with any grease on them, it adheres to the brushes, which become unfit for use. When this precaution is not taken, the machine must come to pieces, so causing an immense amount of trouble, which may all be avoided by having the knives thoroughly free from grease before using the machine. Brushes are also used for cleaning forks, which facilitate the operation. When they are so cleaned, see that they are carefully polished, wiped and the knives with a good edge, the ferrules and prongs of forks free from dirt, and place them in the basket with the handles all one way.

Knives not in use will soon spoil. They are best kept in a box in which sifted quicklime has been placed, deep enough to admit of the blades being completely plunged into it. The lime must not touch the handles, which should be occasionally exposed to the air, to keep them from turning yellow.

Wash in hot soapy water, and then rub the inside of the cover with sweet oil and a rag. Clean the outside with finely powdered whitening and polish with leather.

Never take a light into the room or look for the leak with a light. Soap and water mixed, and applied with a brush to the pipe will commence to bubble if there is a leak. Send for the plumber at once.

A little box containing all the accessories necessary for cleaning a bicycle is obtainable from any dealer. After a ride, and while the mud