When the burner becomes clogged with dirt and dust, soak it in a solu tion of potash or soda lye and hot water, moving it about with d stick until the dirt is moistened. After wards boil with baking soda until thoroughly cleaned.
Lamp Chimneys—To Prevent their Breaking.—Wrap the glass in several thicknesses of cheese cloth, cover with a strong solution of cold salt water, and bring to a boil. Boil ten or fif teen minutes, and leave the glass in the water to cool. If this is done each time the chimneys are washed they will become thoroughly toughened and practically unbreakable. If they can be put in a kettle of water on the range and boiled all day, so much the better.
Care of Lamps.—Lamps should not be allowed to stand partly empty, as the oil tends to generate a gas which may explode if ignited. They should be filled daily, but not quite full. When heated the oil expands, and if the lamp is full it will run over and drop. Fill to within half an inch or so of the top, trim, and rub dry with a soft cloth.
Metal Lamps.—Bronze lamps should be merely dusted or wiped with a flannel cloth, and care should be taken not to allow the oil to spill on them, as it has a tendency to take off the bronze. They should not be washed with soap and water.
Lacquer lamps may be washed, but not with sal soda or any strong wash ing powder, alcohol, or any form of naphtha, as these all may injure the lacquer.
To Mend Lamps.—The brass top of
a lamp to which the burner is screwed sometimes gets broken, and may be mended either with alum or plaster of Paris. Remove the ring from the top and dig out the dry plaster of Paris with a penknife. Make a paste of fresh plaster of Paris with water, fill the threads of the brass with this, heaping on all that it will hold. Place it in position to harden. The plaster of Paris will swell and hold the top tightly.
Or fill the hollow part with pow dered alum and melt it on the stove. When melted put it in place, and when cold it will be found to adhere tightly.
Lamps—To Prevent their Smoking. —If the wick is thoroughly soaked in strong vinegar and afterwards dried it will give a clear light and prevent smoking.
Or place d small piece of rock salt close to the flame inside the burner. This not only prevents smoke but brightens the flame.
Lamp Wicks. — Save old felt hats. They make excellent lamp wicks and wicks for oil stoves.
A substitute for a lamp wick may be made from old cotton stockings or outing flannel by taking a strip about three times the width of the burner, folding at the edges, and hemming on the sewing machine. A supply of lamp wicks can be made up in advance from old pieces without expense, and always be at hand when needed.
Wicks should be changed occasion ally and may be cleansed by boiling them with vinegar and afterwards dry ing thoroughly before using.