I got these from my 1950's cookbook. Love to read all the OUTDATED hints. With so many advances in cleaning, we are blessed. Poor Hannah -LOL!
"Black marks made on hardwood floors or linoleum by rubber heels may be removed by using a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol."
"Rain spots on suede shoes will quickly disappear if rubbed gently with an emery board."
"To remove odors from jars or bottles: Pour a solution of water and dry mustard into them and let stand for several hours or use a direct chlorine solution. Then rinse well with hot water."
"Grandma's copper kettle's black and it's all Hannah's fault. She doesn't know that copper cleans with lemon juice and salt."
"White kid gloves can get so black they shine like sheerest silk, But Hannah Housewife always cleans with flannel, soap, and milk."
"Borax water, made up strong is Hannah's great delight for getting all her baking tins a brand-new, sparklin' bright."
"'Charcoal in the icebox?' Poor Hannah was aghast until she found that charcoal made odors check out fast!"
And last but not least, "Linoleum will have a glossy lovely finish if you put some clothes starch in the mop water."
Source: Women of Camp Stoneman cookbook
By Vi Johnson from Moorpark, CA
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
I think they still are some very good suggestions. We are always in a hurry to rush out and buy some cleaning product we see advertised. Most home solutions are the best!
So many of these I remember. Still use a lot of the older ways to save not only on the environment but money and so many do the job better and safer. like for tea stained cups just a drop a bleach in the water and rinse well. also I am able to hang my laundry save electric and sun shine makes whites whiter and breeze makes them soft no need for fabric softener.
My mom was born in 1938. I have the book she used in her homemaking class. It's fun to read through it, some of it is really good advice & some of it is hilarious!
I'm still under 50, but think the old-fashioned way is usually best. Our 25-year-old cleaning lady wants Endust and other commercial cleaning products. Why can't she dust with vinegar water? It's better anyway!
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
Here are some interesting tips we read in an old book on house cleaning:
Just before papering a room apply a thin coat of white shellac to any grease spots on the wall. The grease will not penetrate the new wall paper. (This will work well with a room you want to paint, also. Shellac will seal the wall.)
To repair a damaged place in a wallpapered room, let the new paper (this is assuming you have saved some) sit in the sun for a few days until it fades to match the paper on the walls.
A deep gouge in a piece of furniture can be rubbed with an oily nut meat (walnut or brazil nut). The nut meat will crumble and fill in the scar, then wax over the top.
Cover light furniture scratches on dark furniture by touching up with iodine.
To lengthen the life of a fiber door mat keep it damp for a week by sprinkling it every two or three days. This will prevent the fiber from breaking. Repeat this process whenever the mat seems too dry.
To mend a hole in a rug, sew a piece of burlap over the back of the hole. Use wool or thread the color of the rug and make stitches through the burlap that forms loops on the top. When the space is filled in with stitches, clip off the tops even with the nap. The hole will be almost unnoticable.
About The Author: If you have any thrifty tips to add, submit them here or put them in the contact form by clicking on the "Contact Us" link in the side bar.
