Cleaning and Mending

Today's Tips are from the edition of Mrs. Seely's Cookbook sent to me by Mary, one of our subscribers. The book was originally written in 1902 by Mrs. L. Seely. Its subtitle was "A Manual of French and American Cookery". It also has chapters on the duties of domestic servants and many other details of household management. A fascinating book!

To Clean Marble: Take two parts of common soda, one part of pumice stone and one part of finely powdered salt. Sift the mixtures through a fine sieve and mix it with water, then rub it well all over the marble and the stains will be removed. Rub the marble over with salt and water, wash off, and wipe dry.

To Clean Tinware: The best thing for cleaning tinware is to use common soda. Dampen a cloth, dip it in soda, rub the ware briskly, wash and wipe dry.

To Clean Cut Glass: Having washed cut glass articles, let them dry and afterward rub them with prepared chalk, with a soft brush, carefully going into all the cavities.

How to Clean Coppers: Take a handful of common salt and enough vinegar and flower to make a paste. Mix together thoroughly. There is nothing better for cleaning coppers. After using the paste, wash thoroughly with hot water, rinse in cold water and wipe dry.

To Mend Broken China: Powder a small quantity of lime and take the white of one egg and mix it together to a paste. Apply quickly to the china to be mended, place the pieces firmly together, and they will soon become net and strong, seldom breaking in the same place again.

Mildew: To take out mildew from linen rub the spots with soap, scrape chalk over them, rub them well, lay the linen on the grass in the sun, and as it dries, wet it a little. The spots should come out in two applications. Other material--Dip the stained cloth in buttermilk and lay in the sun.

From Brenda Hyde, owner of Old Fashioned Living.com. Visit her for more tips, recipes and crafts. Sign up for her free newsletters here: http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/news.html