[More Serviceable Umbrella Jars]—Place a large carriage sponge in the bottom of the umbrella jar to prevent umbrellas from striking the bottom of the jar and breaking it. The sponge will also absorb the water from a dripping umbrella.
[Squeaking Hammock]—If your hammock has an annoying squeak where the rope or chain is joined on the hook, slip the finger from an old glove over the hook before putting on the rope or chain.
[To Lubricate a Clock]—If your clock stops on account of being gummed with dust, place a small piece of cotton saturated with kerosene in the clock, and leave it there several hours. The fumes from the kerosene will loosen the dirt, and the clock will run again as well as ever.
[A Grape-Basket for the Clothespins,] with a wire hook fastened to the handle, will save much time when hanging out clothes; it can be pushed along the line and will always be handy for use.
[For Worn Carpet Sweeper Pulleys]—To keep the wood pulleys on carpet sweeper brushes from slipping after they have worn smooth, wrap once or twice with adhesive tape. This will also keep the [!-- Page: 25 --] pulleys from wearing unevenly with the grain of the wood.
[To Protect Clothing Spread on the Grass for Bleaching]—When linen pieces or small articles of clothing are placed upon the grass to whiten, much trouble may be prevented by spreading a strip of cheesecloth over them and fastening it down with wooden pegs or hairpins. This does not prevent bleaching, but keeps off worms and bugs, and prevents the articles from being blown away by the wind.
[To Soften Paint Brushes] that have been used for varnishing and not been cleaned, soak them in turpentine.
To soften brushes that have dried paint in them soak in hot vinegar or in turpentine or gasoline.
[Vinegar for Dried Mucilage]—When mucilage has dried at the bottom of the bottle, pour a spoonful or two of vinegar in it, and let it stand awhile. The mucilage will be as good as ever.
[To Remove Paper Labels,] wet the face of the label with water and hold it near a flame or stove.