Value of a Drop of Oil.
Every housekeeper knows how annoying it is to have the hinges of the doors squeak, and the locks and bolts refuse to move unless great force be used. Many do not realize that a few drops of oil will, as a rule, remedy these annoyances. First spread a newspaper on that part of the floor over which the hinges swing. Now, with the sewing-machine oil can, oil the hinges thoroughly, and then swing the door back and forth until it moves without noise. Wipe the hinges, but let the paper remain for a few hours, to guard against the possible dripping of oil. For locks and bolts, protect the floor in the same manner. Oil them thoroughly, working them until they will move with ease. The egg-beater and the ice-cream freezer should be oiled frequently in the same manner.
When lighting a fire where the chimney has not been used for some time, start the current of air upward by burning a paper in the stove pipe, or by holding it in the chimney, if it be a grate fire.
If the heat has been turned off from a room for some time it occasionally happens that the heated air will not come through the pipe when it is turned on again. In that case close for a few minutes nearly all the registers which serve as outlets for the other pipes, and the heat will be forced into the cold pipe. After this it will go that way naturally.
When kid boots require a dressing, rub a little castor oil into the kid before the dressing is put on. This will keep the leather soft.
Testing the Oven Heat with Paper.
Have white paper for testing the heat of the oven. Put a piece on the bottom of the oven and close the door. For pastry, the oven should be hot enough to turn the paper dark brown in five minutes; for bread, the heat should turn it in six minutes. All kinds of muffins can be baked at this heat. Cup cakes should be put into an oven that will turn a piece of white paper dark yellow in five minutes. Sponge and pound cakes require heat that will turn white paper light yellow in five minutes. Bread requires great heat at first; later, the heat is to be reduced. Cake should have rather a cool oven. The heat can be increased later.
Many efforts have been made to produce a thermometer which will indicate the temperature of the oven, but, so far as I know, none made with mercury have been satisfactory. There is made in this country, however, an “oven clock,” which can be set into the door of the oven. This is based on the principle of the contraction and expansion of the metals. To get the greatest benefit from these clocks the housekeeper must make her tests herself; that is, she must learn that when the hand points to a certain number the oven is right for roasting; when at another point, that the heat is right for baking bread, cake, etc. After she has established these facts, she may write out a table which will serve as a safe guide in the future.
Strew powdered borax about the pipes and in any cracks in the walls or woodwork where water bugs appear. If this be persisted in, and everything be kept perfectly clean, you can rid the house of the insects.
Keeping Flies from Chandeliers.
Wipe the chandeliers with a soft cloth that has been wet in kerosene oil. This should be done several times during the summer. Fly specks can be wiped off in the same manner, even when on gilt picture frames; but the cloth must be only slightly moistened in the latter case, and used lightly, else the gilt itself may come off.
Put green walnuts around the places where the ants come and they will disappear; or, strew fresh pennyroyal around. If it is impossible to get the fresh herb, use the oil. Tar mixed with hot water, and placed in bowls or jars in the room or closet, will often drive away these pests.
Doing housework is apt to make the hands become rough. Have thick gloves to wear when making fires and cleaning stoves and grates. Wear, when sweeping and dusting, old gloves that fit loosely. As much as possible use one kind of soap; changes of soap and water irritate the hands. Have soft hand-towels in the kitchen, and always wipe the hands perfectly dry. When the work is done rub the hands with bran and vinegar diluted with water. Rinse them in tepid water and wipe perfectly dry. Rub a little cold cream into the hands at night, and also, if convenient, after the coarse work has been done for the day.
Cold Cream.
2 ounces of cocoa butter.2 ounces of spermaceti.2 ounces of white wax.2 ounces of rose water.4 ounces of sweet almond oil.
2 ounces of cocoa butter.2 ounces of spermaceti.2 ounces of white wax.2 ounces of rose water.4 ounces of sweet almond oil.
2 ounces of cocoa butter.2 ounces of spermaceti.2 ounces of white wax.2 ounces of rose water.4 ounces of sweet almond oil.
2 ounces of cocoa butter.
2 ounces of spermaceti.
2 ounces of white wax.
2 ounces of rose water.
4 ounces of sweet almond oil.
Break up the wax, spermaceti, and cocoa butter. Put all the ingredients into a bowl, and place this in a pan of boiling water. Stir the mixture until it becomes a soft, smooth mass; then put it in little jars, and keep in a cool dry place. This is excellent for the hands and face. In winter use only one ounce of spermaceti.
QUART MEASURE.
QUART MEASURE.
QUART MEASURE.
The ordinary kitchen cup is supposed to hold half a pint, and nearly all writers of cook-books base their measurements on this understanding. Nearly all first-class kitchen furnishing stores keep what are known as measuring cups. They are made of tin, and hold half a pint, old measure. One cup is divided into four parts, and one into three. A set of these cups will be found of the greatest value in the kitchen, as they insure accurate measurements.
Here is a table which will be helpful to those who do not have such cups to work with:—
Equivalents of Measures in Weight.