Let us go back in time to the year 1957. Believe it or not, I have my mom’s paperback book that she had in her first years as a housewife! Sure enough, faded and fragile pages in this book originally printed in 1947 are still able to tell us the lessons of “ingenious ways to make your old things look like new and save many dollars.”
My mother was truly dedicated to having our “home sweet home” in tip top shape. I am talking about all the way down to the lampshades! Every year, all of the lamps received a special cleaning, including the light bulb and shade. Mom would wash the shade in a mild detergent and rinse it. She would then carry it out to the clothes line and hang it to dry. I never saw any stains or dirt on these shades!
There was another yearly task that was a little scary. Mom would take out all the storm windows and clean them, the frame and sill. But, the large living room picture window was not an easy task. Nothing scared my mom. She marched down to the basement and pulled out the old wooden ladder. She placed it carefully between the evergreens and the brick wall so she could get that picture window out! I do not know how she did this, but weren’t moms of the 1950s superwomen?
There is so much to reminisce about. I love the colorful pictures of times gone by that are forever etched in my mind. Now, I want you to just have fun reading some suggestions from that old book, word for word!
- Discarded net curtains make excellent cloths for washing dishes. Cut 6 layers of netted material in 15-inch squares and stitch together with your sewing machine, using quilting attachment.
- If you have two or three worn out blankets, stitch them together and cover with cotton print you will have a nice warm, new comforter.
- Rip old cotton stockings down the seam and use them as dust cloths. You will find them excellent and lint less.
- If aluminum ware has warped, place a wooden block on bulge and hammer back to shape.
- Soak neglected paint brushes in hot vinegar to clean and make them as pliable as new.
- Old powder puffs are handy for cleaning and polishing silverware. They won’t scratch the delicate silverware.
- The lamp that just went out may still be good for many more years of service. Try tapping the glass. Often, the filament has become “disconnected” and may join again at a tap or two.
- Save small scraps of hand soap until you have a cupful. Add a quart of boiling water and simmer over low heat stirring occasionally until every scrap is melted. Pour into container, cool and cover. Now you have a soap jelly for many usages. Whip it into a stiff lather for shampooing upholstery and small rugs or washing painted walls, painted furniture, woodwork. Dissolve it in lukewarm water for washing lingerie. Try it as a shampoo for your hair. You’ll never want to be without it again.
As I am writing today, I have a smile, cozy memories and a few giggles.
[Source: "1003 Household Hints and Worksavers," published by: Bankers Community Service Company. 16 Waverly Place, New York 14 New York.]