Household Hints by Anna L. Colcord

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 4, 1903

Household Hints

By Anna L. Colcord

MRS. ANNA L. COLCORD

COOKING UTENSILS.— Galvanized or tin saucepans should not be used for cooking articles containing acids, such as sour fruits, tomatoes, rhubarb, etc. Much of the cheap tinware of to-day contains more or less lead in its composition, besides that which is used in soldering the parts together. The action of acids upon this metal makes it dangerous to use for cooking certain foods. Copper or brass can not be recommended for use in cooking, from a health standpoint. Brass is a mixture of copper and zinc, and both of these metals are acted upon by certain foods to produce harmful results. In these days granite and enamel ware are comparatively cheap, are durable if used with care, are easily kept clean, and should be used for nearly all cooking purposes.

TO BRIGHTEN CARPETS.— Carpets may be brightened by dusting with a damp flannel. If the cloth is wrung out of water to which a spoonful of ammonia has been added, the effect will be still more noticeable.

TO WASH LACE CURTAINS.— Lace curtains should be put through coffee-water when laundered, or a little golden starch used with the white starch to give them a creamy appearance. A blue-white curtain is not considered artistic.

TO SWEEP WITHOUT DUST.— To prevent dust when sweeping, tear paper into small pieces, and soak for a few minutes in water. Squeeze the water out, and more sprinkle the damp paper on the carpet before sweeping.

TO TAKE OUT MILDEW.— Mix soft soap with powdered starch, half as much salt, and the juice of one lemon; spread the mixture on the part on both sides, with a brush; let the goods lie on the grass day and night till the stain comes out.

TO BE SANITARILY CLEAN.— “To keep a house in a perfect sanitary condition does not mean that you must be sweeping, dusting, and scrubbing all the time. Let the air and sunshine into every part of the house; do not allow any decaying matter to accumulate about the place; wash and dry all cleaning cloths, tubs, pails, etc., as soon as you have finished using them. It is not so much the dust that is in full sight, as the dampness and decay in dark places that makes a dwelling unsanitary. Brooms, brushes, dusters, etc., need frequent washing and thorough drying.”