LITTLE THINGS OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
By A. M. H.
THERE is nothing better for cleaning hair-brushes and combs than gasoline, as it cleans them perfectly and will not loosen the bristles; but it should never be used in a room where there is a light or fire, and the gasoline is excellent for cleaning the marble basin and the bath-tub. Moisten a small cloth with this and give the article a brisk rubbing, and all nickel is at once brightened by using gasoline. To take fly specks off gilt frames, moisten them with the white of an egg; let it remain about fifteen minutes, then wipe off with a soft, dry cloth. The brass trimmings of iron beds may also be cleaned and brightened in this way. Plaster busts and statuettes may be cleansed by dipping them in thick liquid starch and drying, and then brushing the starch off. Marble figures can be cleansed by using a paste of whiting and water, allowing it to dry, and brushing off with a soft brush. To prevent the striped ticking from showing through your nice pillow cases, make covers of bleached muslin and slip them over the pillow-ticks, then draw the nice covers over them. It is mistaken economy to put off laundering curtains under the impression that they will last longer if not washed and ironed often. The dust in curtains, and hanging in the same folds, wears them more than laundering with reasonable care. Lace and muslin curtains require very little rubbing if they are put to soak over night in warm soft water to which a small cup of kerosene has been added. In the morning they should be rubbed lightly through this water and then washed through a strong pearline suds, and they will need no boiling unless they have been allowed to become very much soiled. Nothing adds so much to the appearance of a room as clean windows and fresh draperies. A. M. H.