Page:The White House Cook Book.djvu/613

 FACTS WORTH KNOWING. 571

a rag and keep it for that purpose. When the irons are hot, rub them first with the wax rag, then scour with a paper or cloth sprinkled with salt.

To Prevent Rust on Knives: Steel knives which are not in gen- eral use may be kept from rusting if they are dipped in a strong so- lution of soda: one part water to four of soda; then wipe dry, roll in flannel and keep in a dry place.

Flowers May be Kept Very Fresh over Night if they are excluded from the air. To do this, wet them thoroughly, put in a damp box, and cover with wet raw cotton or wet newspaper, then place in a cool spot.

To Siueeten Milk: Milk which is slightly turned or changed may be sweetened and rendered fit for use again by stirring in a little soda.

To Scour Knives Easily: Mix a small quantity of baking soda with your brick-dust and see if your knives do not polish better.

To Soften Boots and Shoes: Kerosene will soften boots and shoes which have been hardened by water, and render them as pliable as new. Kerosine will make tin kettles as bright as new. Saturate a woolen rag and rub with it. It will also remove stains from clean varnished furniture.

Faded Goods: Plash goods and all articles dyed with aniline colors, which have faded from exposure to the light, will look as bright as new after sponging with chloroform.

Choking: A piece of food lodged in the throat may sometimes be pushed down with the finger, or removed with a hain-pin quickly straightened and hooked at the end, or by two or three vigorous blows on the back between the shoulders.

To Prevent Mold on the Top of Glasses of Jelly, lay a lump of paraffine on the top of the hot jelly, letting it melt and spread over it. No brandy paper and no other covering is necessary. If ^pre- ferred the paraffine can be melted and poured over after the jelly is cold.

To Preserve EMons and Silks .-Ribbons and silks should be put away for preservation in brown paper ; the chloride of lime in white paper discolors them. A white satin dress should be pinned up in blue paper with brown paper outside sewn together at the edges.

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