Summer Reading 1960's

I found several old housekeeping books this summer and read them cover to cover so you won't have to (unless you find these tidbits interesting).  I found them to be absolutely fascinating.  The language and topics of interest say volumes about each decade and  where society was as the time.  We've come a long way, baby!  (see Summer Reading 1940's for the dangerous stain removal of indelible lipstick).  These tidbits were selected from my dear friend Catherine Flaherty's collection of

                  Hints from Heloise
                  Copyright held by King Features Syndicate, Inc, 
snipped presumably from the Portland Press Herald from 1960 to 1966.   

"For cleaned stained white t-shirts without all the scrubbing, wash twice - First with hot water and lots of liquid bleach and a good detergent, then in hot and detergent without the bleach."

"When washing draperies that have drapery hooks, soak hooks in the wash bucket you are using to wash the woodwork.  When the woodwork is done, let the hooks air dry on newspaper.  Then they'll be cleaned of the grime and slide easily back into the drapes."

"For cleaning sheer curtains, do half the room at a time.  Rehang them after washing while still wet. Put several layers of newspaper under the window to catch drips.  Spread each panel the entire width of the window and use a second curtain rod inserted into the hem.  After they are dry they are beautiful - no ironing.  If you want the curtains starched, hold it at 45 degree angle and spray.  By pulling the curtain out from the window the starch will spray at an angle and not get on your window.  Starched curtains resist stains from hands and water marks, as I'm sure all you gals know."

"My cotton cafe curtains above the kitchen sink suffered from water spots until I discovered a way to make them semi splash proof.  I wash, starch and ironed them as usual, then with a hot iron, pressed them with waxed paper on the right side before I hang them.  This is the same waxed paper we use to wrap our families' sandwiches with every morning.  They stay fresh at least twice as long!"

"A good way to clean small neck bud vases that have stubborn stains; fill container 1/4 full with low sudsing detergent and a well crushed egg shell and shake vigorously.  The eggshell should be crushed finely enough to pour out easily.  Or fill with vinegar and let set an hour and pour it out."

"Baste down the facings on new pajamas, house dresses, blouses, etc.  It will save you lots of trouble on ironing day."

"If your black socks turn gray from ordinary washing, soak them in a basin of very hot water to which a cup of vinegar has been added.  This will remove soap film that is usually the cause of grayness.  Vinegar water is also good at removing bacteria and once the film is removed, the bacteria washes out." 

"For spaghetti sauce splashed on your nice white dress, immediately grab a lemon slice, daub your napkin in your water glass and squeeze the lemon slice with it.  Then daub the red sauce stain.  Rinse with water on a clean corner of the napkin." 

"Use kerosene to polish chrome.  Wet an old wash rag in warm water and wring it out good - pour a little kerosene on it and wipe away.  No need to polish it!"

"My sons are so forgetful when it comes to taking a handkerchief when going to school, etc.  When I iron their pants, I slip a clean handkerchief in one of the pockets."

"Shirt sleeves were always tangling around the clothes or the agitator in my washing machine until I had the idea of buttoning each cuff onto the shirt front buttons!"

"To remove a mustard spot, saturate the spot with warm glycerin, let it set a while then wash in soap suds to which a small amount of alcohol has been added.  If the stain isn't entirely removed, apply oxalic acid (10% solution) with a medicine dropper, rinse thoroughly, then follow with a rinse of 1 tsp ammonia to a pint of water.  Be sue to spot test to see if it's safe for your fabric."

"For those of you who have trouble with buttons popping off at the waist band on shorts, slacks and skirts, remove the button and sew it on a piece of elastic then sew the ends of the elastic where you removed the button.  This gives a little leeway as you breathe or dine."

"After I sprinkle my clothes, I put them back inside my empty washing machine and close the lid.  After an hour they are ready to iron.  This method lets the moisture spread evenly and if I don't get them all ironed they are out of the way."

"I am one of those gals who use a liquid starch.  When ever I buy a fresh bottle of liquid starch, I mix all of it to the desired strength.  After I finish starching my laundry, I pour the remainder in a clean plastic bleach bottle and there it is stored until the next wash day.  Saves time and guessing when I'm in a hurry."

"I save the card board from under the collars of new shirts.  When I iron I put them under the collars to keep them from getting wrinkled."

"Dear Heloise:  Did you ever hear that when you drop a cigarette ash on your carpet or trousers, or anywhere for that matter, not to take your hand and rub it off?  I heard this discussed at a party last night.  I would like to know why, I have always done it.  Ed Coleman    *  *  *
Yes sir, I did!  Many people what had their expensive carpets ruined when someone dropped ashes from a lighted cigarette and then stepped on them.  If the ashes still contain some fire when they are stepped on, most likely your rug will be burned.  The best way to prevent a burn is to quickly scoop up the ashes with a small piece of paper.  If a small piece of paper is not readily available, the next best thing to do is blow the ash so it will roll and will not burn the rung.  The ember will quickly burn itself out.  The main point is speed to prevent a burn.  If there is no fire in the ash, it will be spread so a dark spot will not be made and can easily be vacuumed later on.  Now, back to your suit, sir.  Any time you drop your ashes on your nice navy blue suit, quickly blow the ashes off.  If you take your hand and wipe them off, the ashes are embedded in the fibers of the suit.  Try it.  It works beautifully, and most likely will save you a cleaning bill.   Heloise"

"Dear Laundresses:  I want to say a few words about hanging towels on the clothesline.  I do not believe that anyone should hang bath towels by the hem.  They dry crooked, clothespins wear corners out, they fold out of  shape, etc...  Bath towels are made for one purpose, so they should be fluffy and absorbent.  When you hang your bath towels on a line, ask yourself,  'Am I going to take them in as soon as they are dry?'  If you are smart, you will think:  'I have more in the closet, and am in no hurry, so why not let the sunshine bleach and dry them?'..  And then think again, 'Why not let the wind buff them and make them fluffy?'  Think about it twice...the sun and wind are free!  If you hang a towel over your clothesline in HALF... one side will buff against the other to make the towel fluffy.  Besides, it won't dry crooked, so when you fold it to put it in your linen closet, it has to come out straight.  So, Ladies, hang them in half across the line.  An alternative:  If you are short on towels and need some in a hurry, hang only one third of the towel over the line... at least the two thirds will be buffed by the wind.   Heloise"

"Dear Heloise:  Knick-knacks, dishes, etc. that I have prized but no longer use, I have begun to include in the gift boxes to my children.  They want them, enjoy having them to use, and remember them from their life at home.  I feel they may as well have them and get some use from them  - better than having them stored away.  Besides, you know where they are, and enjoy seeing them when you visit the 'kids'.  Helen"

"Dear Heloise:  After sewing for over 20 years, I just learned that when making handmade buttonholes if you will moisten your fingers and run them down the thread you are sewing with... about every five stitches, not only will it keep your thread from knotting... but it makes the prettiest buttonhole ever.  Try it!!  Martha"

I really enjoy reading these Hints from Heloise. What a great way to peek into a different age. The sharing of the wealth of knowledge from ordinary citizens to each other is a great thing, don't you find? and this is such a great example of the vernacular and what was important to these gals.  I would love to read your comments.  See you in the funny papers.....   Betty