To remove grease from carpets, cover the grease spot with whiting, and let it remain until it becomes saturated with grease; then scrape it off, and cover with another coat of whiting, and if it does not re- move the grease, repeat the application. Three coats of whiting will, in most cases, remove the grease, when it should be brushed off with a clothes-brush. A strong solution of carbolic acid and water poured into holes, kills all the ants it touches, and the survivors immediately take themselves off. When washing oil-cloths, put a little milk in the last -^j^'ater they are washed with. This will keep them bright and clean longer than clear water. Grained wood should be washed with cold tea. Ceilings that have been smoked by a kerosene-lamp should be washed off with soda-water. MISCELLANEOUS HOUSEHOLD RECIPES. 557 Moths will eat the all-wool reps, but not the mixed silk and cot- ton upholstering. To polish brass, rub the metal with rotten-stone and sweet-oil, then rub off with a piece of cotton-flannel, and polish with soft leather. A solution of oxalic acid removes the tarnish, rendering the metal bright. The acid must be washed off with water, and the brass rubbed with whiting and soft leather. A mixture of muriatic acid and alum dissolved in water, imparts a golden color to brass articles that are steeped in it for a few days. The government recipe for cleaning brass, used in the arsenals, is said to be as follows: Make a mixture of one part common nitric acid, and one-half part sulphuric acid in a stone jar; then place ready a pail of fresh water and a box of sawdust. Dip the articles to be cleaned in the acid, then remove them into the water, after which rub them with sawdust. This immediately changes them to a bril- liant color. If the brass is greasy it must be first dipped in a strong solution of potash and soda in warm water, this cuts the grease so that the acid has the power to act. Rusted steel can be cleaned by washing with a solution of half an ounce of cyanide of potassium in two ounces of water, and then brushing with a paste composed of half an ounce of cyanide of potas- sium, half an ounce of castile soap, an ounce of whiting and suffi- cient water to make the paste. A little spirits of turpentine added to the water with which floors are washed will prevent the ravages of moths. Salt and water is an excellent thing to clean cane-seated chairs. Use a great deal, so that the cane will be thoroughly saturated, and scrub with a brush if the seat is much soiled. Turn the chair upside down, to get at the unvarnished side of the cane, as the varnish will resist water. The object of soaking it is to shrink the cane. Wipe it and stand the chair in the sun to dry, and the seat will tighten up and be as firm as when bought, unless some of the strands are broken. A good poison for house-flies may be made by boiling quassia 35 558 THE hearthstone; or, life at home. chips in water, making a very strong- decoction, and then sweetening the Hquid with treacle or sugar. This fly-poison may be used with safety, as it is not injurious to human beings.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

To remove grease from carpets, cover the grease spot with whiting, and let it remain until it becomes saturated with grease; then scrape it off, and cover with another coat of whiting, and if it does not remove the grease, repeat the application. Three coats of whiting will, in most cases, remove the grease, when it should be brushed off with a clothes-brush. A strong solution of carbolic acid and water poured into holes, kills all the ants it touches, and the survivors immediately take themselves off. When washing oil-cloths, put a little milk in the last water they are washed with. This will keep them bright and clean longer than clear water. Grained wood should be washed with cold tea. Ceilings that have been smoked by a kerosene-lamp should be washed off with soda-water. Moths will eat the all-wool reps, but not the mixed silk and cotton upholstering. To polish brass, rub the metal with rotten-stone and sweet-oil, then rub off with a piece of cotton-flannel, and polish with soft leather. A solution of oxalic acid removes the tarnish, rendering the metal bright. The acid must be washed off with water, and the brass rubbed with whiting and soft leather. A mixture of muriatic acid and alum dissolved in water, imparts a golden color to brass articles that are steeped in it for a few days. The government recipe for cleaning brass, used in the arsenals, is said to be as follows: Make a mixture of one part common nitric acid, and one-half part sulphuric acid in a stone jar; then place ready a pail of fresh water and a box of sawdust. Dip the articles to be cleaned in the acid, then remove them into the water, after which rub them with sawdust. This immediately changes them to a brilliant color. If the brass is greasy it must be first dipped in a strong solution of potash and soda in warm water, this cuts the grease so that the acid has the power to act. Rusted steel can be cleaned by washing with a solution of half an ounce of cyanide of potassium in two ounces of water, and then brushing with a paste composed of half an ounce of cyanide of potassium, half an ounce of castile soap, an ounce of whiting and sufficient water to make the paste. A little spirits of turpentine added to the water with which floors are washed will prevent the ravages of moths. Salt and water is an excellent thing to clean cane-seated chairs. Use a great deal, so that the cane will be thoroughly saturated, and scrub with a brush if the seat is much soiled. Turn the chair upside down, to get at the unvarnished side of the cane, as the varnish will resist water. The object of soaking it is to shrink the cane. Wipe it and stand the chair in the sun to dry, and the seat will tighten up and be as firm as when bought, unless some of the strands are broken. A good poison for house-flies may be made by boiling quassia 558 THE hearthstone; or, life at home. chips in water, making a very strong- decoction, and then sweetening the Hquid with treacle or sugar. This fly-poison may be used with safety, as it is not injurious to human beings.

The hearthstone; or, Life at home