Things Mother Used to Make Part 17

=How to Keep Eggs=

In the summer, when eggs are cheap, buy a sufficient number of freshly laid ones to last through the winter.

Take one part of liquid gla.s.s, and nine parts of cold water which has been boiled, and mix thoroughly.

Put the eggs into a stone crock, and pour over them this mixture, having it come an inch above the eggs. The eggs will keep six months, if they are perfectly fresh when packed and will have no taste, as when put into lime water.

=Save your Old Stockings=

Old stockings are fine for cleaning the range. Slip your hand into the foot and rub hard, or place an old whisk broom inside. It will make the sides and front of the range clean and s.h.i.+ny. In fact, you will seldom need to use blacking on these parts.

=When Was.h.i.+ng Lamp Chimneys=

If you live in the country and use kerosene lamps, do not dread was.h.i.+ng the chimneys. Make a good hot suds, then wash them in this, with a clean cloth kept for that purpose. Pour over them very hot or boiling water and dry with an old soft cloth. Twist a piece of brown paper or newspaper, into cornucopia shape and place over the chimneys to protect from dust and flies.

=To Remove Disagreeable Odors from the House=

Sprinkle fresh ground coffee, on a shovel of hot coals, or burn sugar on the shovel. This is an old-fas.h.i.+oned disinfectant, still good.

=To Lengthen the Life of a Broom=

Your broom will last much longer and be made tough and pliable, by dipping for a minute or two, in a pail of boiling suds, once a week. A carpet will wear longer if swept with a broom treated in this way.

Leave your broom bottom side up, or hang it.

=To Prevent Mold on Top of Gla.s.ses of Jelly=

Melt paraffine and pour over the jelly after it is cold. No brandy, paper, or other covering is necessary.

=To Clean Nickel Stove Tr.i.m.m.i.n.gs=

Rub with kerosene and whiting, and polish with a dry cloth.

=To Clean Zinc or Copper=

Wash with soap suds and powdered bristol brick. When perfectly dry, take a flannel cloth and dry powdered bristol or any good cleaning powder and polish. You will be pleased with the result. I have tried this for forty years.

=How to Prevent b.u.t.ton Holes from Fraying=

When making b.u.t.ton holes in serge or any material which frays, place a piece of lawn of two thicknesses, underneath and work through this.

Another way is to make four st.i.tchings in the goods the length of the b.u.t.ton hole. Cut between these, leaving two st.i.tchings each side of the hole.

=When Making a Silk Waist=

St.i.tch a crescent shaped piece of the same material as your waist under the arm. It will wear longer and when the outside wears out it looks neater than a patch. If the waist is lined, put this between the lining and the outside.

=To Make Old Velvet Look New=

Turn hot flatirons bottom side up. Rest these on two pieces of wood, or hold in your lap. Put over them a piece of wet cloth, then lay the velvet on this. Brush with a whisk broom. The steam from the wet cloth will raise the nap and take out the creases.

=Onion Skins as a Dye=

If you wish for a bright yellow, save your onion skins. They will color white cloth a very bright yellow. This is a good color for braided rugs, such as people used to make.

=To Remove Egg Stain from Silver=

Salt when applied dry, with a soft piece of flannel will remove the stain from silver, caused by eggs.

=Put a Little Cornstarch in Salt Shakers=

This will prevent the salt from becoming too moist to shake out.

=How to Color Lace Ecru=

If you wish for ecru lace and you have only a piece of white, dip it into cold tea or coffee, until you have the desired color.

=To Keep Lettuce Crisp=