p. 13 | Household Hints by Ruth Goddard; Susan M. Kane

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 10, 1916

Household Hints

By Ruth Goddard; Susan M. Kane

To Clean Dress Goods.—Of all the ways and means of cleaning dress goods to make them look like new, in my experience none have been more successful than the following method: With a mixture of equal parts of wood alcohol and water sponge the material on the right side with either a cloth or a brush. Fold it for a few minutes, then press on the wrong side. All dust and grime will be removed, and no disagreeable odor will remain.—Ruth Goddard.

Granite Chips.—Perhaps a chip of granite may find its way into your stomach because some one, to rid a spoon of the food on it, vigorously struck it on the edge of a granite dish containing food. Examine your granite ware, and you can readily see whether any one in your kitchen has this careless habit. Many a person has come to the place where he has no further use for food, simply as a result of the cook’s carelessness in regard to granite chips.

A Difference.—When making a buttonhole, it makes quite a difference which end of the thread is thrown over the needle. If that part next the cloth is used, the edge formed will not wear well, but if the part next the needle is made use of, and the thread is thrown under, not over the needle, there will be a pearl edge, which will bear a much greater amount of wear. Besides, the beauty of the work is greatly enhanced. When sewing on buttons, it is well to leave the knot of the thread on the right side of the garment and directly under the button.

Ironing Tablecloths.—Tablecloths washed at the very best laundries are short-lived as compared to those washed at home. Few housewives would include even the everyday table linen in the bundle of flat work sent to the laundry if it were not for the time required to iron it. In Ireland the table linen is beautifully cared for, no matter how little there is of it in the home. I learned from an Irish lady how to fold and iron a tablecloth quickly. Sprinkle the cloth evenly. Two persons take the cloth by the corners, right side up. Gather the hem ends evenly, and pull against each other until the cloth is straight. Double, gather the ends again, stretch, shake, then fold again. Hold the folded cloth by two corners now, having the center fold and selvage edges up. Let the outside selvage edge drop, and then fold it up on the opposite side. Take the four corners again; see that all is straight, and roll tightly. Let it stand at least an hour, and iron on both sides with a hot iron. The creases will be beautifully straight, the center crease always down, the side creases up, and the whole cloth glossy and well done. The folding is simpler than the telling, and is quickly done. Sheets folded in the same way are more easily and better ironed.—Susan M. Kane.