HOUSEHOLD TIPS NOT FOUND IN WOMAN'S WEEKLY

[Whyperion]

For what it's worth, my virtual two-pennyworth goes to 2b, that is, the advice to children who were learning to write. "[/i]

But how does that relate to Good Manners / Speak when you are Spoken To ?

Its not Peas (greenish, round, garden), or Cues (cumbers - garden long ) = Speaking of which I have a cucumber that has a large number of seeds and does not taste to good .

[Stanley]

It was what my mother used to say when we were asking too many questions.
Here's one explanation; " : My mother would often reply, That's Leo's For Meddlers" when I asked her a question she was reluctant to answer. : Any ideas on its meaning and origin?
Yes. It's a variation of "layrolls" or "layovers" to catch meddlers. Like when someone puts marbles in his/her medicine cabinet so when a meddler opens it, the marbles spill out and make a big noise. It is a trap for meddlers. "
Today's tip. When a cotton garment has 'Dry clean only' on the care label test it alone for colour fastness.

[Cathy]

I kid you not ... my foster parents used to (somehow?) attach a human hair across 2 wardrobe doors and if that hair was gone they would assume that one of us kids had been in their wardrobe.
Their own natural daughter was a real tear-away and used to get up to all sorts of mischief.

[Stanley]

Bloody hell Cathy.... I can't imagine having to live with that....

[Stanley]

Always take the washing instructions on new garments with a pinch of salt. My new 100% cotton shirts said 'dry clean only', as if! I am not buying them back from the cleaners every week! I did a hot wash and found out the reason, >10% shrinkage, the colours were fine. As it was a generous fit in the first place it is now a perfect fit! So much for labels.....

[Marilyn]

Good quality cotton shouldn't shrink.

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch" was another oldie.
And - "If ifs and buts were pots and pans, there would be no need for Tinkers"

[Stanley]

Maz, sorry but all cotton fabrics shrink. What you call 'good quality cotton' is cloth that has been pre-shrunk during finishing. This evidently hadn't been pre-shrunk enough.

[Big Kev]

The hot wash cycle doesn't get used much in my house, most of it goes through at 30 degrees. I did wash 3 pairs of cotton overalls at 40 degrees earlier in the week but they were particularly dirty.

[chinatyke]

The hot wash cycle doesn't get used much in my house, most of it goes through at 30 degrees. I did wash 3 pairs of cotton overalls at 40 degrees earlier in the week but they were particularly dirty.

I wash everything at 40C. There is a view that this isn't high enough to get any thermal sterilisation and of course that is correct. I don't know what the answer is, my clothes come out looking clean and odour free. I suppose drying in the sun may kill off some of the remaining bacteria. I'm not about to go to the temperatures we used in hospital laundries.

[Big Kev]

The hot wash cycle doesn't get used much in my house, most of it goes through at 30 degrees. I did wash 3 pairs of cotton overalls at 40 degrees earlier in the week but they were particularly dirty.

I wash everything at 40C. There is a view that this isn't high enough to get any thermal sterilisation and of course that is correct. I don't know what the answer is, my clothes come out looking clean and odour free. I suppose drying in the sun may kill off some of the remaining bacteria. I'm not about to go to the temperatures we used in hospital laundries.

I'm basing my washing temperatures on the effectiveness of modern detergents and it's more environmentally friendly to use lower temperatures. I've not noticed any unusual odours either

[Marilyn]

I cold wash everything. I've never used warm or hot. Cold wash works well.

[Cathy]

Cold wash here too , hang on coat hangers - inside out, dry in the sun.

Doesn't hot water set stains?

[chinatyke]

Cold wash here too , hang on coat hangers - inside out, dry in the sun.

Doesn't hot water set stains?

You are right, hot water 'sets' some stains, mainly protein stains like blood or egg. If you are using a 'biological' detergent the enzyme will remove this protein. Hot water is better at removing other stains such as fat based ones.

My wife always hangs her clothes inside out to minimize fading, a good idea but I can't be bothered. We always dry washing outside, we have plenty of sun during the day and high temperatures (29C minimum temperature last night!)

[Stanley]

I don't think any of you will be going down with a disease... A hot wash occasionally is good for the guts of the machine....

[Marilyn]

When I mentioned good quality cotton, I had Egyptian Cotton in mind...

[Stanley]

It still shrinks Maz. As Sue says, the cure is to pre-wash as part of the finishing process and if you are a seamstress, wash again before making up!

[Marilyn]

I always do pre wash. Especially quilting cottons. But, although we pay a lot for them, still considered cheap cottons and they do shrink. Cheap Indian cottons shrink way more though, because they are less intense with the weave. What fitted loosely in the shop will only fit a child after washing!

[Stanley]

It was really serious when serious housewives boiled clothes in the days before modern soaps and detergents.
Today's tip is from a medieval manuscript. If you get a new linen shirt boil wash and give to your estate manager to wear for a year to break it in. When new they took the skin off your back!

[Stanley]

If you are lucky enough to have some Liberty heavy linen curtains don't attempt to dry and iron them, they are unmanageable! They go like boards if you do. Simply hang them wet and and wait for nature to take its course. The weight will pull the pleats back in eventually. I know this because I once had some that Daniel Meadows gave me, out of the old family home.

[Stanley]

If you want to clean and polish old oak. First sponge it well with warm beer and dry off. Then mix warm beer with brown sugar and beeswax and rub in in well. Let it dry and then polish it. It will be as good as any proprietary polish and absolutely natural.

[Whyperion]

Draught, Bottled or from a tinny ?

[Marilyn]

How warm?

[Stanley]

Blood heat Maz.
To keep herbs for winter, freeze loose overnight, put in a plastic bag and crush the leaves while frozen. Fish the stalks out and seal the bag. Job done!

[Stanley]

There is no need to store whole eggs in the fridge. They keep just as well at room temperature and cook better. Store point down as they keep longer like that.
I have to admit that even though I know this I keep mine in the fridge as it's more convenient. I promise I will look into this!

[Cathy]

We wouldn't dare do that here, even in winter.
It surprises me that you do it with the central heating on. How long do the eggs stay fresh for , do you have use-by dates on the cartons?