Page:The White House Cook Book.djvu/617

 FACTS WORTH KNOWING. 575

Never keep vinegar or yeast in stone crocks or jugs ; their acid at- tacks the glazing, which is said to be poisonous. Glass for either is better.

Squeaking Doors ought to have the hinges oiled by putting on a drop from the sewing machine oil-can.

Plate Glass and Mirrors: A soft cloth wet in alcohol, is excellent to wipe off plate glass and mirrors, and prevents their becoming frosty in winter.

A red-hot iron will soften old putty so that it can be easily removed.

To Test Nutmegs: Prick them with a pin; if good, the oil will instantly spread around the puncture.

A Good Way to Clean Mica in a stove that has become blackened with smoke, is to take it out, and thoroughly wash it with vinegar. If the black does not come off at once, let it soak a little.

To Banish Rats from the Premises, use pounded glass mixed with dry corn meal, placed within their reach. Sprinkling cayenne pepper in their holes will also banish them. Chloride of lime is an infal- lible remedy, spread around where they come, and thrown into their holes; it should be renewed once in two weeks. Tar is also a good remedy.

To Prevent the Odor of Boiling Ham or Cabbage: Throw red pepper pods or a few bits of charcoal into the pan they are cooking in.

To Brighten Gilt Frames: Take sufficient flour of sulphur to give a golden tinge to about one and one-half pints of water, and in this boil four or five bruised onions, or garlic, which will answer the same purpose. Strain off the liquid, and with it, when cold, wash with a soft brush any gilding which requires restoring, and when dry, it will come out as bright as new work.

All cooking utensils, including iron-ware, should be washed out- side and inside in hot, soapy water ; rinsed in clean, hot water, wiped dry with a dry towel ; a soapy or greasy dish-cloth should never be used for the purpose.

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