GILT PICTURE FRAMES--TO BRIGHTEN
Take sufficient sulphur to give a golden tinge to about one and one-half
pints of water, and in this boil four or five bruised onions. Strain off
the liquid when cold, and with it wash with a soft brush any gilding
which requires restoring, and when dry it will come out as bright as new
work. Frames may also be brightened in the following manner: Beat up the
white of eggs with soda, in the proportion of three ounces of eggs to
one ounce of soda. Blow off as much dust as possible from the frames,
and paint them over with a soft brush dipped in the mixture. They will
immediately come out fresh and bright.
RATS--TO DESTROY
Set traps and put a few drops of rhodium inside; they are fond of it.
Cats are, however, the most reliable rat-traps. There is no difficulty
in poisoning rats, but they often die in the walls, and create a
dreadful odor, hard to get rid of. When poisoning is attempted, remove
or cover all water vessels, even the well or cistern.
RIBBONS--TO WASH
If there are grease spots, rub the yolk of an egg upon them, on the
wrong side; let it dry. Lay it upon a clean cloth, and wash upon each
side with a sponge; press on the wrong side. If very much soiled, wash
in bran-water; add to the water in which it is rinsed a little muriate
of tin to set red, oil of vitriol for green, blue, maroon, and bright
yellow.
RUST--TO PRESERVE FROM
Make a strong paste of fresh lime and water, and with a fine brush smear
it as thickly as possible over all the polished surface requiring
preservation. By this simple means, all the grates and fire-irons in an
empty house may be kept for months free from harm, without further care
or attention.
RUST--TO REMOVE FROM POLISHED STEEL
Rub the spots with soft animal fat; lay the articles by; wrap in thick
paper two days; clean off the grease with flannel; rub the spots well
with fine rotten-stone and sweet oil; polish with powdered emery and
soft leather, or with magnesia or fine chalk.
RUST--TO REMOVE FROM IRON UTENSILS
Rub sweet oil upon them. Let it remain two days; cover with
finely-powdered lime; rub this off with leather in a few hours. Repeat
if necessary.
To prevent their rusting when not in use: Mix half a pound of lime with
a quart of warm water; add sweet oil until it looks like cream. Rub the
article with this; when dry, wrap in paper or put over another coat. See
also IRONS.
RUST AND INK STAINS--TO REMOVE
Put half an ounce of oxalic acid in a pint of water. Dip the stain in
the water, and apply the acid as often as necessary. Wash very soon, in
half an hour at least, or the cloth will be injured by the acid.
Preserve in bottle marked "Poison." This also cleans brass beautifully.
RUSTED SCREWS--TO LOOSEN
[Transcriber's Note: Above title is as-presented in the original.]
Boil scorched articles in milk and turpentine, half a pound of soap,
half a gallon of milk. Lay in the sun.
RUSTED SCREWS--TO LOOSEN