Hints And Tips

Icing - Put a pinch of salt into icing sugar. This will keep it smooth when it sets. Chocolate icing will not turn dull if a tiny piece of butter is included in the mix. Mrs Macleod, Mallaig.

Add vinegar - Add a few drops of vinegar when you boil white fish. This improves the texture and keeps the fish a good colour. Mrs Millar, Perth.

Shiny Brass - Keep brasses shining by pouring vinegar on a duster, rubbing well and polishing with a dry cloth. Once a week does the trick and no dirty hands. Mrs Parker, Kilwinning.

Mrs M.D. Gillespie, a well known beauty specialist, recently gave out the following statement regarding grey hair:- Anyone can prepare a simple mixture at home that will darken grey hair, and make it soft and glossy. To a half pint of water add 1 oz of Bay Rum, a small box of Orlex Compound and ¼ oz glycerine. These ingredients can be purchased at any chemist at very little cost. Read more......

Hairbrushes should be washed frequently, and the correct way to do this, so that the backs of the brushes are not damaged, is to fill a basin with cold water and add a little baking soda or ammonia. Tip the basin sufficiently to allow the brush to be swished up and down in the water without wetting the back. Rinse in clear water, shake vigourously, and stand on its side on the sill of an open window to dry. Never wash in hot water or allow to lie on the back when drying. Read more......

I seldom use shoe polish for brown shoes. I take a banana skin and rub them with the side next to the fruit. This also removes spots or dark marks. I learned about the banana method in 1903. We got banana's at 9d a dozen then, and a fellow home from Jamaica gave us this tip. Read more......