HOUSEHOLD TIPS
QUICK SILVER CLEANING

Use an aluminum pan or any type cooking pot lined with clean aluminum foil. To each quart of
hot water add 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon soda. Put in the silver, making sure each piece
touches the pan or foil. Bring just to the boil. Do not boil. Remove, wash, rinse and dry. Do
not use this method for cleaning silver that may have hollow handles, legs, etc., for the heat will
melt the cement used to "glue" the parts. Do not use this method for silverware that has a French
Gray (oxidized) finish or the finish will be ruined. An aluminum pan will discolor but it can be
cleaned by boiling water with cream of tartar in it. Use 1 tablespoon cream of tartar to each
quart of water. (It's salt and Baking Soda you use.)

TREATED DUST CLOTHS

Combine 1/2 cup lemon oil and 1 pint hot water. Dip 4 or 5 cheese cloth squares, about 20 x 20
inches, into the solution. Press solution through the cheese cloth pieces. Squeeze out all excess
moisture. Dry thoroughly. Store in airtight metal container. Be sure lid is tight. Dust mops can
be treated with this solution, too.

GILT FRAMES

These need gentle treatment. Moisten a pad of cheesecloth with a solution made by mixing to-
gether equal parts of ammonia and denatured alcohol. Apply to a small area of the frame with the
least possible pressure. Just pat gently. Use adry pad to take up the soil, then go to the next
section. Pata little lemon oil onto the frames once or twice a year to keep them from drying and
cracking. Be sure you DO NOT RUB the cleaning solution or the lemon oil onto the frame.

PRESERVING LEAVES

Use glycerin for preserving thicker, stemmed woody branches of holly, laurel, evergreen, bar-
berry, rhododendron, vine maple or other colorful branches you find in the Fall and wish to keep.
This glycerin soaking makes the leaves soft and pliable, so that the branches can be used in floral
arrangements. They can be sprayed with paint or lacquer, depending on the effect you wish.
Pound the lower 2 inches of the stem. Wash the branches thoroughly in cold water; then let dry.
Put the pounded tips into 3 or 5 inches of glycerin (from the drug store) and water, mixed in the
proportions 2/3 water and 1/3 glycerin. Let dry in warm room with good air circulation. The
branches can be left in the solution, or they can be removed as soon as the glycerin has been
absorbed by all parts and the leaves are soft and pliable.

PRESERVING HOLLY

(Also Evergreens)

Wash holly or evergreen sprays (such as cedar) in cold water. Swish thoroughly in a solution of
chemical solution used to "set" fruit. Use solution three times the normal strength recommended.
Drain. Use for centrepiece arrangements, or pack while still wet in strong boxes, packing tightly
sO sprays cannot move around.

BATH SACHETS

2 cups ground-up odds and ends of 1 cup powdered borax
soap 2 tablespoons sachet powder
4 cups fine rolled oats

Put paper bag over end of food chopper to catch the flying soap chips as you grind the soap
pieces. Mix all the ingredients. Spoon into small bags made of colorful flannelette squares.
Attach a cord so that the sachet won't get lost in the tub or shower. These little soap bags also
make ideal perfumed sachets for putting into drawers or in linen cupboards.

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