Household & Health Hints 1913
In days gone by, nothing was purchased in packets with instructions, so the newspapers devoted a weekly page to giving many useful hints and tips. These were considered a boon, especially to a new housewife or mother. Some of these tips are listed below to add to your repertoire, although there are probably a multitude of pills, potions, and remedies on the supermarket shelves that will suffice.
1 November 1913
Mildew can be removed from leather by the application of Vaseline.
If feather pillows have an unpleasant odour, give them a thorough drying before a clear fire.
If alum is added to the paste used in covering boxes with paper or muslin, moth and mice will avoid them.
When buying fish (if filleted) ask for the bones. These when boiled, make a good stock which is a foundation for many fish sauces.
To clean cruet and water bottles, place a table-spoonful of uncooked rice in them and fill with water. Shake thoroughly, and they will be beautifully clear.
It is a good plan always to keep a lemon in readiness to rub on the hands after peeling vegetables or fruit. This prevents them from getting stained, and keeps them beautifully soft and white. If you have no lemon, use vinegar.
Save tea leaves for a few days, then steep them in a pail for half an hour. Strain, and use the tea to clean varnished wood. It requires very little polish, as the tea acts as a strong detergent cleansing the paint from all impurities.
To renovate black satin, peel and cut two large (raw) potatoes in slices and put in a basin; cover with a pint of water, put in a pinch of salt, and let it stand all night. Sponge the satin on the right side with this water, and wipe lightly with a cloth. Then iron on wrong side, and it will look glossy.
When a splinter has been driven deep into the hand it can be extracted without pain by steam. Nearly fill a wide-mouthed bottle with hot water, place the injured part over the mouth of the bottle, and press it lightly. The suction will draw the flesh down, and in a few minutes the steam will draw out the splinter.
Special care must be taken in putting poultices on children. The skins is more tender, and they are easily frightened. It is well to lay a handkerchief, or piece of flannel between the poultice and the skin; this can be slipped away when the child is accustomed to the heat.
Bring up children to sleep in the dark, as it is much better for their eyes, the complete darkness being an entire rest. Never place a child’s bed opposite the window, as the bright light falling upon the face in sleep is exceedingly bad for the sight. See that no foolish nurse frightens the child with threats of bogeys, etc., visiting it during the night.
Note:
The servants in service, as in the photograph (upper right), would have used many of these remedies to keep the house of their master and mistress in good order.
Source: IW Observer
Image: Roy Brinton Collection
Article: Ann Barrett