CARE OF SINKS AND DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE Care of Sinks.—Stretch a piece of picture wire or cord over the kitchen sink. Over this hang old newspapers. Crumple one of these in the hands and use it to wipe the grease from frying pans, pots, etc., before putting them into the dishwasher. This will prevent the excess of grease from coating the sink and stopping up the sink spout. Also use newspapers to wipe off the stove, table, sink, and floor when grease and other things have been spilled on them. Throw the papers at once into the fire box of the range, where they will be consumed. Thus you will have no greasy dishwater or greasy dish. cloths or towels to wash.
To Clean Sinks. — The grease in dishwater tends to coat over the sink and sink spouts and form breeding places for the germs of filth diseases, as typhoid and other fevers, diph theria, and the like. Keep at hand on a high shelf, out of, reach of chil dren, a bottle of carbolic acid. Once a week sprinkle a few drops of this about the sink. This will not only disinfect the sink itself, but also the sink spout, drain pipes, and drain.
Or dissolve a pound of copperas in a gallon of boiling water. Pour this solution into a large glass bottle, cork, and keep out of the reach of children. Dilute half a pint with a quart of hot water and use to clean the sink daily.
Or wet the bottom of the sink and sprinkle chloride of lime over it. This will remove all stains, and when rinsed off the water will disinfect the sink spout and drain.
Or, when the sink is coated with grease or the sink spout is stopped up, put a pound or more of washing soda in a colander or strainer, and pour boiling water through it into the sink. Set the strainer into the water until the remainder of the soda is dissolved. If it does not run down after a time use force cups or partly fill the sink with water and press a rag down over the strainer. As soon as a way has been made, continue to pour hot soda and water through the pipe to flush it.
Care of Iron Sinks.—Do not use soap to wash an iron sink, but wash it in the water in whicb potatoes have been boiled. Use a raw or boiled po tato to rub any spots that are rough or rusty; dipping the potato in bath brick will assist. Afterwards rinse clean with very hot clean water. This will keep the sink smooth and prevent rust.
To Clean a Painted Sink.—Painting a sink with white or other enamel paint prevents rusting and improves its appearance, but acids and alkalis tend to remove the paint and cause rust. Cleanse the paint with a rag moistened in kerosene and rinse with clear hot water.
Homemade Sink. — There are still many dry sinks in various parts of the country which necessitates carrying all dishwater out of doors. These relics of barbarism should not be suffered to remain in any enlightened household. A homemade sink may be made of plain boards and lined with tin or zinc at small cost. If this is set against an outer wall a foot or two of lead pipe will supply an outlet, and a wooden trough lined with lead, tin, or zinc, or merely tarred or painted, may carry away waste water to a cesspool. Make a box 4 feet long,14 inches wide, and 5 inches deep, with open ends. Put in two partitions, leaving a 22 inch space in the center. Line this with tin or zinc, making a hole in one corner for the waste pipes. This leaves shelves at either hand for kitch en utensils, water pail, or wash pan. Have the sink at such a height that it will not be necessary to stoop when using it.
Garbage.—The problem of the dis posal of garbage in small towns and villages is often a vexatious one. In cities garbage is, of course, removed by the authorities, and on farms it is usually fed to pigs and chickens. It is often remarked that the amount of food thrown away by the average American family would support a French or an Italian family of equal size and standing.
Garbage cans of galvanized iron with tightly fitting lids can be ob tained at small cost, and are most satisfactory. Some of these are now fitted with a place in the cover to hold a sponge wet with an antiseptic and deodorant. Such a can prevents all bad odors and does not attract flies. A box with a hinged lid built in one corner of the porch to hold the gar bage can will prevent cats and dogs from tipping it over and strewing the contents about.
Or a cheese box or other box sunk in the ground outside the door and covered with a tight lid may hold the garbage can or an ordinary garbage pail. This will keep the contents cool and prevent their being disturbed.
Or a little cayenne pepper strewed above and about the can will discour age the visits of animals. A news paper laid inside the pail before the garbage is placed in it will keep the can in good order and make it an easy matter to clean it thoroughly. A small galvanized iron pail to stand on the kitchen or pantry table, and to be washed after each meal or at least once a day, is a convenient receptacle for the accumulation of kitchen scraps, and saves many outdoor trips to the garbage can.