Bygone News - 1950's

Get Rid of the Dandelions 1957

lynne.davidson — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:12:58 +0000

For clearing the lawns of dandelions plantains and other weeds use a potato peeler, the apple corer type. One scoop and they come out root and all. Miss H. MacGregor, Sutherland Cottage, Keir Street, Dunblane.

Uses for Vinegar 1957

lynne.davidson — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:10:57 +0000

A little vinegar added to the water used for washing floors softens the water and prevents a scum forming. This makes easy cleaning and the floors are easier to polish. A little vinegar used in the water for cleaning windows will make the dirt come off more easily and help to keep the flies away. Mrs L. Davie, Melville, Insch, Aberdeenshire.

Stains On Socks - 1956

lynne.davidson — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 12:48:59 +0000

Stains On Socks - 1956 A reader wanted to know how to remove stains from children's socks. My method is to wet the sock and apply baking soda generously to the stain, rub well and wash as usual. Mrs B.M. Davidson, Hurley Aboyne.

Try It! 1955

lynne.davidson — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 10:20:06 +0000

If the slide fastener in a purse sticks, take a lead pencil and rub it up and down on the fastener a number of times, then the purse opens.

Tips for New Spuds 1950

lynne.davidson — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 10:18:11 +0000

Before scraping new potatoes, soak them for half an hour in cold water which has been salted. Not only do the skins peel off easily but the hands are not stained.

Cooking That Joint 1954

lynne.davidson — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 09:53:30 +0000

Think twice before you cook that joint, many women may not know that they are losing half the flavour and tenderness of the weekend joint by cooking it too soon, particularly if they are Saturday shoppers. Read more......

Polishing Brown Shoes 1953

lynne.davidson — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 09:27:47 +0000

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......

Rose-Tinted 1953

lynne.davidson — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 09:25:13 +0000

If you wear spectacles with plastic frames you can rim the frames with nail varnish to match your colour schemes or make-up. Apply the nail varnish and leave overnight to dry. Wipe off the varnish with remover. Read more......