Hemstitching forms a dainty and inexpensive finish for household linen and underclothing, but the difficulty of drawing the threads often prevents the busy woman from undertaking it. If a piece of pure white soap be rubbed over the surface of the cloth on the wrong side, the threads may be drawn with perfect ease and at a saving of fully half the time usually required. When making the round perforations for eyelet embroidery, hold a piece of soap under the cloth allowing the stiletto to pass through into it; when it is withdrawn it imparts a slight stiffness to the material that insures the making of very even, perfect embroidery.

Soak hair brushes in ammoniated water to harden the bristles and prevent them from falling out.

If a gown has become stained with lemon juice, ammonia applied to the spot will restore the cloth to its natural color.

To remove ink stains from clothing soak the spot in sour milk.

A faded dress may be made perfectly white by boiling it in water to which cream of tartar has been added.