10 Tips for "More Light With Less Current"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic. The pamphlet was printed in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.

Times have changed this is for your enjoyment and nothing else.

You can reduce those electric bills by-

1. Eliminating colored bulbs. The greatly lessen the actual light you get.

2. Replacing dark shades and shade linings with light ones.

3.  Using one high wattage bulb in place of several smaller ones. A 100 watt bulb gives 50% more light than four 25 watt bulbs, yet uses the same amount of current.

4. Dust the bulbs and the linings of the lamp shades. Wipe off parchment shades, inside and out, with a damp cloth (Turn off electric before dusting).
5. Wash light bulbs occasionally, but be careful not to get the metal section wet. Dry thoroughly before replacing. Be sure electric is OFF while replacing.
6. If after washing the bulbs still look very dark, get new ones.
7. When you leave a room for more than 5 minutes, switch the light off.

8. If your rooms are due for a repainting, consider the lower electric bills you will enjoy by painting walls white or some pastel shade, thereby requiring less artificial lighting.

9. "Bargain" light bulbs are usually and extravagance. They dim quickly, but consume as much electric as good ones. Play safe by using the standard brands.
10. If you spend much time working in the basement, spare your eyes by whitewashing the walls so they reflect more light. If the joists overhead are exposed, you can increase the amount of illumination from the ceiling fixture without changing to a larger bulb. Simply nail several white painted boards or cardboards to the joists around the base of the fixture.

-=Good Selling=-

12 Gas Saving Tips "800 Ways to Save & Serve"

Your Gas, Electric and Phone Bills

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic. The pamphlet was printed in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort. Times have changed this is for your enjoyment and nothing else.
Ideas on keeping them "down to earth"

Conserve Cooking Fuel

1) Fuel is a victory essential. Conserve your bit by lowering the hear once the watter is boiling. It will remain at this tempature. Buy an oven thermometer so that the roasting and baking can be done at the most economical, recommended temparture.

2) Don't heat a whole tea kettle of water when all you need is two cups.

3) Remove sediment in your tea kettle.

4) Cook most vegetables in the smallest possible quantity of water - this saves vitamins and minerals too!

120 Ways to Save on Food "8 Tips on Vegetables & Fruit"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic. The pamphlet was printed in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort. Times have changed this is for your enjoyment and nothing else.

VITAMINS ARE EXPENSIVE

Save those Vitamins! They're most precious part of your food and the more of them that you get inside you, the fitter you'll be for those stressful times. Here are eight common-sense rules for conserving vitamins, as recommended by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company:

1. In cooking vegetables, raise the temperature to the boiling point as rapidly as possible. Heat may then be lowered.

2. Foods shout not be put through a sieve while still hot.

3. When cooking, use as little water as possible.

4. The water used in cooking is valuable for soups sauces, and gravies.

5. Chopped fruits and vegetables should be prepared just before serving.

6. Start cooking frozen foods while they are still frozen.

7. Frozen foods which are to be served raw should be used immediately after thawing.

8. Stirring air into foods while they are cooking cause vitamin destruction.

P.S.

read more 8 bonus tips

800 Ways to Save & Serve: "How 2 Take Out Spots & Stains"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic. The pamphlet was printed in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.

(Caution: In the long run, there is only one safe rule to follow when removing spots and stains from non-washable materials. Take them to a reliable dry-cleaner. The special solvents and cleansing agents needed make it impractical to attempt the job at home).

ADHESIVE TAPE MARKS

As a rule, these come off easily with a few dabs of non-flammable cleaning fluid.

ALCOHOL PAINTS AND STAINS

Sponge with turpentine; launder.

BLOOD STAINS

Lady MacBeth never knew that blood stains could be easily removed by soaking in plain cold water, then washing. If stain remains, soak in ammonia water (1 1/2 tablespoons ammonia to one gallon of water); then wash.

CHEWING GUM

Hold a piece of ice directly under the stuck-to part. This freezes the gum, which can then be picked off easily. Sponge with non-flammable cleaning fluid.

COLD LIVER OIL

Sponge with non-flammable cleaning fluid; then launder. If stain remains, use chlorine bleach, unless color of fabric is affected by bleach.

COFFEE

800 Ways to Save & Serve: "5 Tips for More Heat from Less Coal"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic. The pamphlet was printed in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.

Consumer Quiz:  When do you add coal to the fire?

Answer:  After poking but before shaking for adding the coal AFTER the shaking hinders combustion and is wasteful.

Variety in the coal bin means savings in the budget. Always buy two sizes of coal, using the larger in the very cold weather, and the smaller, mixed with the larger, on warmer days.

Black diamonds in your own furnace await your discovery. Sift your ashes, and you'll be amazed at the amount of coal that is good for another burning. Salvaging those extra pails of coal will help you face the fuel shortage with a warm, as well as a stout, heart.

In hand-firing, observe these shortcuts to maximize heat at the minimum cost:

1. Keep the ash pit clean. Piled up ashes interfere with the draft and burn out the grates.

2. Keep the firepot full. It is not economical to run a low fire bed.

3. The fire door is for feeding only. Don't waste fuel by using it as a draft regulator.

4. If your coal is too fine, it smothers the fire. If too large, it burns uneconomically. Check with your coal merchant and get the right grade.

5. Don't invite costly troubles by using your furnace or boiler as a garbage dump.

-=Good Selling=-

800 Ways to Save & Serve: "10 Tips Caring for your Rayon Flimsies"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic.  The pamphlet was printed in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.


More care, less tear.....more mending. less spending

BTW, yeah I know this is a blog about copiers , MPF's and MFP Solutions, however these are some really good reads and insights from years gone by.

The Art of Caring For Your Rayon Flimsies

With silk off to war, you will be relying more and more on rayon for your pretties and utilities. These pointers will save you money, trouble and disappointment in your rayon handling:

1. Because rayon threads are from 40% to 60% less resistant when wet,  rayon garments should be handled with special care in laundering. Never wash a rayon garment that does not carry a "washable: label. Certain weaves shrink, stretch or mat. Read the label - it is a dependable guide.

2. Hard water is hard on rayon and is likely to leave mineral deposits on the fabric, which weakens the fibres. Use a softener if the water requires it.

3. Don't soak rayons at all because soaking permanently dulls delicate shades. Wash quickly and carefully in lukewarm suds made with mild soap. Follow with throughly rinsing in several lukewarm waters to remove all traces of soap. which tends to weaken the fabric if not washed away.

800 Ways to Save & Serve :7 Well-Dressed Tips on a Rationed Wardrobe"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic.  The pamphlet was printed in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.
More care, less tear.....more mending. less spending

For Durability's Sake

Conserve materials. By with the fore thought and put off the need for replacement. These shopping secrets will help you get the most out of your purchases:

1. The best flannels, cheviots, jerseys and tweeds are those which are closely woven. Looser weaves are likely to get baggy.

2. To judge the quality of woolen material (in case you have that opportunity), squeeze it in your hand. It should feel smooth, rubbery, springy, when you open your hand. If it has a rough feeling, the grade is inferior.

3. Suits made of worsted will hold their shape better and wear longer than those of wool.

4. Fabrics with light colored dots or figures often wear out quickly because the dots have been bleached.

5. Think twice before selecting a dress or a skirt made on the bias. Remember, such clothes are more difficult and costly to alter and make over.

6. Buy dresses on which the material has been cut the long way. Crosswise cutting betrays skimping. In the long run, the most economical dress to buy is one in which is made up of pieces cut with the grain of the material. If they are cut against the grain, the dress will get out of shape easily.

7. Dress the youngsters in cotton as much as possible. Cotton is cheaper, and survives constant laundering. Also save yourself time by selecting children's clothes that haven't too many buttons and buttonholes to be replaced and repaired. The closely woven cottons wear the best, Seersucker needs no ironing.

How can you tell whether clothes linings are color-fast? Try this little trade secret: Rub a handkerchief over the lining. If any color shows on the handkerchief, look for another lining.

Care for your dresses pays in dollars-and-cents, and keep you  looking "like a million". Keep your eye on the little things. Careful darning will often hide snags, worn places, little cigarette burns. Matched patches hardly show on a print dress. Sometimes a little reinforcement of the seams and buttons on a new dress will save mending bills later. Check buttons and other trimmings before sending to the cleaner's, and sew on any loose ones, It pays to have burns and tears re-woven by the invisible process, if the garment is in good condition otherwise.

Clothes tossed or draped over chairs quickly loose shape, require more pressing and mending, wear out long before they should. Precaution: hang them up or fold neatly and put away!

-=Good Saving=-

800 Ways to Save & Serve "Pamper the Sweet Tooth in Wartime"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic.  The pamphlet was printing in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.

"Pamper the Sweet Tooth in Wartime"

Saving sugar means more sweets for your boys at the front. You can save, without discomfort, if you remember these waste-savers;

1. Stir the sugar thoroughly in your tea or coffee.

2. Try using less sugar with beverages, fruits, puddings and sauces. (You maybe surprised to find you really like them better that way).

3. Sweeten fruits after cooking.

4. When sweetening cooked fruits, add a few grains of salt.

5. Save the syrups from canned fruits for sauces on hot puddings and deserts.

6. Sweeten beverages with molasses, corn syrup, maple syrup, or honey.

7. Eliminate waste when measuring molasses by greasing the cup lightly.

8. When stewing rhubarb, cover with boiling water and let stand for five minutes. Drain and cook as usual, but with much less sugar.

800 Ways to Save and Serve "The Staff of Life"

The information below was derived from a pamphlet that I found while cleaning out the attic.  The pamphlet was printing in 1941 and was titled "800 Ways to Save and Serve", which was designed to help Americans with the World War II effort.

"The Staff of Life"

Bread will stay fresher longer, and keep from molding in humid weather, if it is wrapped in moisture-proof paper and kept in the refrigerator or in a well ventilated bread box. Home-made bread should be cooled before storing.

All-purpose flour can be used in recipes calling for cake flour. Use 7/8 cup of all purpose for 1 cup of cake flour.

Always soft before measuring and pile it lightly in to the cup without jarring. Otherwise you use too much flour, which is wasteful, and the finished product is not as good.

When the recipe says "dredge with seasoned flour" don't waste flour. Put a little in a paper bag, drop in the food and shake together thoroughly. The food will be evenly coated, and much less flour is used.

Flour can be substituted for corn-starch. Use twice as much. 

Pastry won't stick to the board if you have thumb-tack waxed paper to the board before rolling out the pastry.

Rolls and muffins which have hardened to the "can't be et" stage are easily freshened. Sprinkle the rolls or muffins with with water, wrap in brown paper bag and warm in a hot oven for a few moments.

Who's too proud for day old bread! It's not only cheaper and just as nourishing, but actually better for the teeth and gums.

Did you know that day old bread makes better toast than fresh bread?

-=Good Selling=-