To Whiten The Hands
Take a wine-glassful of eau de Cologne, and another of lemon-juice; then scrape two cakes of brown Windsor soap to a powder, and mix well in a mould. When hard, it will be an excellent soap for whitening the hands.
Source: The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness, Florence Hartley
Cosmetic Soaps for Washing the Hands
Take a pound of castile soap, or any other nice old soap; scrape it fine; put it on the fire with a little water, stir it to a smooth paste; turn it into a bowl; add any kind of essence; beat it with a silver spoon till well mixed; thicken it with Indian meal, and keep it in small pots, closely covered; exposure to the air will harden it.
Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie
Cure for Chapped Hands
Take 3 drachms of gum camphor, 3 drachms of white beeswax, 3 drachms of spermaceti, 2 ounces of olive oil — put them together in a cup upon the stove, where they will melt slowly and form a white ointment in a few minutes. If the hands be affected, anoint them on going to bed, and put on a pair of gloves. A day or two will suffice to heal them.
Source: The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness, Florence Hartley
To Remove Fish Odor From Hands
A few drops of ammonia in the water in which you wash your hands will remove all fishy odor from the hands after preparing fish for cooking.
Source: Fowler’s Household Helps, A.L. Fowler
Starch to Prevent Chapped Hands
Use starch which is ground fine to prevent chapped hands. Every time the hands are washed and rinsed thoroughly, wipe them off, and, while they are yet damp, rub a pinch of starch over their entire surface. Chapping is then not likely to occur.
Source: Fowler’s Household Helps, A.L. Fowler
Starch to Prevent Chapped Hands
Use starch which is ground fine to prevent chapped hands. Every time the hands are washed and rinsed thoroughly, wipe them off, and, while they are yet damp, rub a pinch of starch over their entire surface. Chapping is then not likely to occur.
Source: Fowler’s Household Helps, A.L. Fowler
For Chapped Hands
Mix 1/3 pint double distilled rose water, 1/2 oz. oil of almonds and 7 grains salt of tartar.– Or: yolks of 3 eggs, 3 table-spoonsful honey, 4 table-spoonsful brandy, and 4 sweet almonds, pounded. — Or: dissolve a tea-spoonful of pulverised borax in a tea-cupful of boiling soft water, add a tea-spoonful of honey, and mix well together. After washing, wipe the hands very dry, and put the mixture on with a feather.– Oil of Almonds or spermaceti rubbed on at night are soft and healing.
Source: The English Housekeeper, Anne Cobbett
To Prevent Stains Under The Nails
Dip the ends of the fingers in melted tallow before beginning a task which is likely to stain them.
Source: Fowler’s Household Helps, A.L. Fowler
Sure Remedy for a Felon
Take common soft soap and stir in air slacked lime, until of the consistency of glaziers’ putty. Make a leather thimble, fill with the composition and insert the finger therein.
Source: Tried and True Recipes, F.D.P. Jermain
Lotion for Chapped Hands
Soak 1/8 oz gum tragacanth in one pint soft water for three days, or until quite soft, then add to it one gill alcohol, 1 gill glycerine, and 1/4 gill cologne. Shake well and it is ready for use.
Source: Book of Recipes, Daughters of the American Revolution, Genesee Chapter