1 – 20 PIONEER HOUSEHOLD TIPS…
1. Blacksmith’s Borax for Welding. One ounce of salt, one ounce saltpeter, two ounces copperas, four pounds of sand; mix.
2. Washing Fluid. One ounce of salts of tartar, one ounce of carbonate ammonia, one box Babbitt’s lye, one gallon of soft water. Use one half teacup to a washing.
3. Furniture Dressing. Use equal parts of alcohol and raw linseed oil. First remove all greasy substances, then apply with a soft woolen cloth.
4. Washing Fluid. One box of lye and five cents worth of borax, salts of tartar and dry ammonia. Dissolve in two gallons of hot water, Take off fire before putting in ammonia. To be used in boiling suds.
5. To Clean Carpets. One cake ivory soap, one bottle ammonia, five cents worth of ether; dissolve soap in one gallon of hot water; when cool, add ammonia and ether. Scrub small space at a time with a brush and wipe dry with a soft cloth wrung out of warm water.
6. Wall Paper Cleaner. One half cup water, one cup flour, three teaspoonfuls vinegar, three teaspoonfuls ammonia, one teaspoonful carbon oil. Boil and stir constantly yuntil thick; work in small balls, and rub paper with downward strokes. Will not streak or spot if made as directed. Fine.
7. Carpet Cleaner. Two bars ivory soap, four ounces soda, four ounces borax; dissolve the soap in a quart of water; add five gallons of water and, when ready to use it, add four ounces of sulphuric ether; use while hot with scrubbing brush. You do not need to use any cloth or clean water.
8. Carpet Cleaner. Use five cents worth of salts of tartar to one bar of white wool or ivory soap; add this to three gallons of water. Shave the soap up fine and let it boil. Apply with brush and dry with dry cloth. This is fine.
9. To Destroy Odor of Burning Lamp Wicks. Boil new lamp wicks in vinegar and then thoroughly dry them. There will then be no odor from them when burning.
10. To Remove Paint Stains from Cotton and Wool. Old dry paint stains may be removed from cotton and woolen goods by first covering the spots with olive oil or butter and then applying chloroform.
11. To Preserve Eggs. One quart of salt, one pint of slacked lime and three gallons of water. This liquid will keep eggs for years.
12. Ink Spots. Oxalic acid will remove ink spots from books without injuring the print.
13. Rust Iron rust may be removed with kerosene oil.
14. To Purify Cistern Water. Cistern water may be purified by hanging a bag of charcoal in the water.
15. A Tight Shoe. Wring a cloth out of hot water and apply to the part that is tight. If necessary renew and keep shoe on until the leather is stretched.
16. Cleaning Plates Before Washing. Tack a bag on the inside of the kitchen sink door and in it keep cloths to be used in cleaning plates, etc. before dish washing. Dip the cloth in water, rub on a little soap, then wipe instead of scrape, the dishes. A great help in kitchen work.
17. To Clean Linoleum or Oil Cloth. Instead of using soap and water, wash with sweet milk. The milk makes it look fresh and bright without destroying the luster.
18. To Clean Mud from Clothing. Use a corn cob to rub the mud from the clothing, then brush well.
19. To Kill Insects, Such as Bed Bugs, Moths, Etc. Hot alum water is the best thing known to destroy insects. Boil alum in water until it is dissolved; then apply the hot solution with a brush to closets, bedsteads cracks, or wherever insects are found. All creeping insects may be destroyed by its use. There is no danger of poisoning and its persistent use will rid you of the pests.
20. To Remove Bad Smells from Clothing. Articles of clothing or any other articles which have bad smelling substances on them may be freed from the smell by wrapping them up lightly and burying in the ground for a day or two.