Watkins Household Hints

[LolitaHaze]

I thought I would try to post a new household hint (from the book Watkins Household Hints -- 1941) almost daily. I say almost daily, because I am leaving for Vegas tonight so I won't be able to post for the next few days... Some posts may be helpful... some will be obviously dated, but fun none the less.

 

[LolitaHaze]

Kitchen Hints

Water -- For Cooking Purposes

Do not use water which has been standing in pipes overnight. Let at least a gallon of water run off before using. Never use water from hot water faucet in cooking. Heat fresh cold water.

 

[Caledonia]

As someone with a lead overload problem in the drinking water, that is 100% correct. Lead pipes leach lead into the water, hence the tip. Or you could run a basinful instead of measuring a gallon. Unfortunately our lead is coming from the ground water, so if that's anybody else's problem can I suggest installing a filter beneath the sink, or buy one of those kettles that filters the water for you before boiling.

This could be fun. I've got a couple of handy household management books from 1940s and way earlier. Find the wierdest hint! Thanks for starting it LolitaHaze.

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

While I agree that water that's been sitting in pipes tastes funny, I try to never waste as much as a gallon as in my region we have a drought order on at the moment. Ironic since I live in what is assumed to be a rainy country, and I live near the Thames and on the banks of a reservoir. I tend to fill the kettle with the first water that comes out instead, because it doesn't matter if it's been boiled. But I am trying to be really careful with water at the moment.

 

[colleency]

Fleur, maybe you should get one of the filtering pitchers. They started putting stuff in the L.A. water that actually kills fish, so we always filter it now.

 

[Lady Day]

While I agree that water that's been sitting in pipes tastes funny, I try to never waste as much as a gallon as in my region we have a drought order on at the moment. Ironic since I live in what is assumed to be a rainy country, and I live near the Thames and on the banks of a reservoir. I tend to fill the kettle with the first water that comes out instead, because it doesn't matter if it's been boiled. But I am trying to be really careful with water at the moment.

Touche'
Id just feel guilty about wasting that much water. Its the environmentalist in me

LD

 

[Paisley]

While I agree that water that's been sitting in pipes tastes funny, I try to never waste as much as a gallon as in my region we have a drought order on at the moment. Ironic since I live in what is assumed to be a rainy country, and I live near the Thames and on the banks of a reservoir. I tend to fill the kettle with the first water that comes out instead, because it doesn't matter if it's been boiled. But I am trying to be really careful with water at the moment.

I don't know if this would help with your water, but my grandmother used to refrigerate her drinking water. The water there in southwestern Missouri smelled like rotten eggs, and refrigerating it really did help.

 

[Caledonia]

Can I just correct a teensy potential misunderstanding about water waste The vintage tip will be referring to lead pipes primarily. Lead in water consumed by people will lead to lead poisoning, and did, and it's not very nice. Hence the tip. Lead is a very soft metal and water sitting in it overnight gains lead. While one drink isn't going to kill you, over time it can lead to all sorts of health problems including mental deterioration. So if you, for some bizarre reason, haven't replaced your lead pipes (back then they wouldn't because they didn't know, nowadays we know so we'd be crazy not to) you have to run off enough water to remove the lead soaked stuff.

Where most people are in the UK, and in the US probably, lead piping has been removed, or was never installed because it's modern housing. So the problem doesn't exist. Except if you live in an area where the lead is in the ground water, ie it doesn't come from a filtered reservoir (which supplies most of the nation). And if it's in the groundwater you can't run it off, it's just there. So you need a filter.

On no account should people in a drought area be running off water for the sake of it, or because the water tastes funny. That's just plain silly.

 

[Rosie]

What a cute idea. I actually want one of those "what every good housewife should know" type books.

 

[VintageJess]

homekeeping books

Rosie,

I recommend Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House, by Cheryl Mendelson. It is extremely thorough.

Also, Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping is adorable. It is written by Miriam Lukken and has a very old-fashioned feel to it.

 

[Rosie]

Thanks Jess. I'll check them out.

 

[bmathis]

Other good resources for retro living?

What started out as a vintage clothing obsession is also turning into a vintage linens/household stuff obsession. I took a little time off this year and really focused on making our home warm and cosy, much like I remembered my aunts' and grandmothers' homes. My efforts paid off when my Mom (a child of the depression) came to visit and said how relaxed and happy she felt in my house. We talked about everything from tableclothes to hanging laundry on the line to feeding the chickens. It really reinforced my vision for a whole lifestyle that embraces the best of earlier times. I've been a fan of the Vermont Country Store for lots of classic housewears and practical things. I also discovered Lehman's Non-electric catalog on-line. But does anyone have other resources they like for such things? I'd love to hear about them.

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

I keep thinking I should be buying a water filter. My aunt has this super pricey reverse-osmosis whatsit that cost over a grand...but you can buy those jog ones.

And Paisley, that idea of refridgeration works well! The water that comes out of our machine at work tastes fine ice-cold, but as soon as it warms up, it tastes foul.

 

[LolitaHaze]

House Cleaning Hints

Rugs -- To Wash

Clean rug thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner. Test rug for fast color -- rub a moist cloth on a small spot. Make a heavy suds of one quart hot, soft water and one-third cup Watkins Soap Flakes. Cool and let form a paste.

Beat this mixture to a lather and apply to rug with a soft clean brush. Work evenly and clean a small area at a time. Rinse soap off quickly by rinsing with cloths wrung out of clear warm water. Use soft cloths and wipe rug dry. Let rug dry thoroughly before using. Keep flat.

 

[LolitaHaze]

Yay!

I am glad to see that everyone here will enjoy these tips. As I said some may be useable, some won't. But they all will be fun to read.

 

[LolitaHaze]

Garden Hints

Shrubs -- To Buy

Select sturdy shrubs from two to four years old which have been transplanted, root and top pruned at the proper time.

 

[magneto]

Eating hints

"DON'T BELIEVE THESE FALLACIES ABOUT MILK!

1. There is no physiological or chemical evidence to support the theory that milk and fish or ice cream and fish should not be eaten at the same meal. Milk and fish are entirely compatible, and are eaten together in fish chowders and oyster stews with no ill effects whatever."

(Just grabbed my 1947 "Encylopedia of Cooking" at random...)

 

[Lady Day]

"DON'T BELIEVE THESE FALLACIES ABOUT MILK!

1. There is no physiological or chemical evidence to support the theory that milk and fish or ice cream and fish should not be eaten at the same meal. Milk and fish are entirely compatible, and are eaten together in fish chowders and oyster stews with no ill effects whatever."

(Just grabbed my 1947 "Encylopedia of Cooking" at random...)

Awwwoo, Ill never get to test that theory, vegetarian.

LD

 

[LolitaHaze]

This reminds me... people always get grossed out that I like to dip slices of cheese in ketchup... to me that is no different than having a cheeseburger with ketchup!

"DON'T BELIEVE THESE FALLACIES ABOUT MILK!

1. There is no physiological or chemical evidence to support the theory that milk and fish or ice cream and fish should not be eaten at the same meal. Milk and fish are entirely compatible, and are eaten together in fish chowders and oyster stews with no ill effects whatever."

(Just grabbed my 1947 "Encylopedia of Cooking" at random...)

 

[artdecodame]

This reminds me... people always get grossed out that I like to dip slices of cheese in ketchup... to me that is no different than having a cheeseburger with ketchup!

Heehee, I do that with cheese and mustard!!

PS: These vintage tips are great!