Part 4

Let it boil until soap is thoroughly dissolved and strain off into another vessel, and then add the pure salts of tartar while still hot. Add the salt and enough more boiling water to replace the amount which has boiled away, and continue to stir until it becomes only luke warm; then add a few drops of the oil of cloves (or some other perfume), if desirable. Finally pour off in small jelly jars and set away for use. 1 gallon made in this way will make 5 gallons of ordinary shampoo, by simply adding 4 gallons more of water. This quantity should not cost over fifty cents. A pound of the refined carbonate of potash costs twenty cents, and a pound of castile soap only fifteen cents, and the perfume will cost less than the remainder of 50 cents.

One teaspoonful is enough to clean any ordinary suit of hair.

In cleaning ladies' hair it is well to add a little ethylic ether, commonly called sulphuric ether. Never use hard water. If necessary save up enough rain water. I give elsewhere directions for making shampooing outfit, which may also be conveniently used for shower baths in shops and houses where there is no connection with water works. Water to be used for shampooing should always be warm.

EGG SHAMPOO.

This favorite preparation should be used immediately after mixing.

Take 1 fresh egg, 1 teaspoonful of silver gloss shampoo, and ¼ teaspoonful of powdered borax. Mix together with an egg beater, and then use as other shampoos.

A CHEAP SEA FOAM.

Take 2 ounces of the silver gloss shampoo, 2 ounces alcohol, 1 ounce glycerine and 1 pint water; shake well together and perfume to suit your fancy.

The shampoo or sea-foam can be colored a nice yellow by making a tea of saffron and water, adding enough after straining it to get the desired color. Powdered carmine can also be used to color a red or pink color.

BRILLIANTINE.

Take 1 ounce of good glycerine, ¼ ounce of rose geranium and 1 ounce water. Mix. This preparation is a good one, and can be made very cheap by using a less amount of the perfume. It never separates, and is good as long as there is a drop of it left.

ENGRAVING FLUIDS.

We here give a formula for making an etching fluid, to be used in marking razors, shears and other steel tools.

FORMULA.

Bluestone 1 ounce Table Salt 1 ounce Water 6 ounces

DIRECTIONS.—Cover blade or plate with soap or varnish, and then with etching needle or common pencil write the name or letters desired, being careful to score or scratch through to the metal. Then fill the traced lines with the fluid and let it remain five minutes. The fluid will corrode the metal in the lines thus laid bare. Therefore when the covering and acid are washed off the lettering will remain.

Be careful to wash promptly and dry thoroughly.

BLACK HEADS.

What are known as black heads are generally found in the skin of people who are addicted to the use of much hog meat. Such people are also as a rule, rather careless, to say the least, about bathing their faces. A hint to the wise will be sufficient. Let them not be afraid a rough towel will scratch them. I give below a recipe highly recommended.

FORMULA.

Alcohol 4 ounces Boracic Acid 2 drachms Distilled or rain water 1½ ounces

Apply this three times per day after first having thoroughly washed the face and rubbing dry with a coarse towel. Considerable benefit will, at least, be derived from a faithful application of the above.

HAIR BLEACHING.

First clean the hair with the Silver Gloss shampoo, and when dry apply peroxide of hydrogen until damp. When dry, again repeat the application, and continue to repeat it until nearly as light as desired.

The hair will continue to bleach a little lighter for about three days, and hence it is necessary to discontinue the application when the hair is a shade darker than desired.

WHITENING FOR THE FACE.

Put 1 ounce of the oxide of zinc into a plate and pour over it 3 ounces of soft water. Mash zinc with a spoon until it is all dissolved. Pour the solution into a pint bottle and fill up with witch hazel. When the weather is cold, pure soft water may be used instead of the witch hazel; but the preparation would sour in warm weather. Apply with a soft cloth.

BARBERS' ITCH.