HOUSEHOLD CLEANING HINTS

CLEANING ALUMINIUM UTENSILS
For regular cleaning, hot water and a neutral soap are advised. Very fine steel wool, which can be bought in packets, or some simple cleansing powder free from soda, is useful for removing any discoloration. A weak solution of vinegar boiled in the saucepan will also remove tarnish.

BEDS
Use a good-sized enamelling brush for cleaning and note how quickly and effectively it cleans out crevices and corners. Even a large-sized mattress may be turned without undue exertion if strong handles, made of leather, or strips of bed-ticking, are sewn on about half a foot from the end of each corner. This plan saves strain and broken finger-nails.

CLEANING BOTTLES
When a water-bottle becomes discoloured put into it one tablespoonful of coarse salt and two tablespoonfuls of vinegar. Shake well for a few minutes, then fill up with warm water and stand for an hour or two. Pour out the contents and rinse with clean water. This treatment will, as a rule, leave the glass quite clean and bright, but it may be necessary to repeat the process.

CRUET BOTTLES
Cruet bottles used for vinegar sometimes become brown in appearance. To remove this stain, caused by the acid of vinegar, fill the bottles with a strong solution of washing soda and allow to stand for about half an hour. Rinse thoroughly in warm water and dry.

BLACK FLOATING BOWLS
After shallow black bowls have been in use a short time, particularly in hard-water districts, a white chalky deposit appears on their inner surface. This may be removed by moistening a cloth with lemon juice and rubbing it briskly over the marks, then rinse and dry the bowl. Its appearance may be still further improved by polishing with any furniture cream or wax polish.

WHEN CLEANING BRASS
First clean the metal in the ordinary way, using brass polish, then coat very lightly with some good floor polish and rub up with a soft duster. The lustre lasts considerably longer.
Rottenstone is very useful for cleaning badly neglected brass. Boil the article in a strong solution of washing soda, rinse thoroughly, then wash in warm soapy water, using a small scrubbing brush for ornamental parts. When dry, polish with rottenstone and oil. Finally polish with a little dry rottenstone and a soft duster.

CLEANING BRASS CURTAIN RODS
The so-called brass rod in reality is iron cased with brass, and the latter quickly tarnishes from atmospheric moisture. To save constant cleaning, thoroughly well polish the rods, taking care that every trace of metal polish is removed, then apply a thin coat of clear shellac or wax polish. The application of a little oil, with a small brush or pipe cleaner, to the moving parts of a patent runner ensures silent and easy movement.

LACQUERED BRASS
Should be rubbed frequently with a soft duster or chamois leather and, when necessary, washed with a good soap and water. Neither soda nor brass polish should be employed; the lacquer is only a kind of varnish, and is easily removed with any strong treatment.

CLEANING A BRICK FIREPLACE
Scrubbing should usually be sufficient to keep an unglazed brick fireplace in good condition, but occasionally more drastic treatment is necessary. The use of spirits of salts, or hydrochloric acid, diluted with water, using approximately 1/4 acid to 3/4 water, removes any traces of plaster and brightens the bricks. If hydrochloric acid is not available, undiluted vinegar may be used instead. As hydrochloric acid is corrosive it should be used with care and stored in a safe place. Naturally the bricks should be well rinsed after its use.