Make an instant floor cleaner - the heloise mat!
Hints From Heloise
By Heloise Monday, May 28, 2007; 12:00 AM
The Heloise Mat
Dear Readers: Have you ever been preparing a meal in the kitchen and SPILLED SOMETHING on the floor? You have to stop what you're doing and clean it up. Well, my mother, the late Heloise (1919-1977), came up with the idea of a Heloise mat for the kitchen. She originally printed her mat directions in December 1963. We thought we would take a trip down memory lane. So, here are the directions for the mat in my mother's "voice": "Take an old chenille bathmat and double it over so that the chenille will be on both sides (bottom and top).
"Lay a large dinner plate or a turkey platter on top. Take a crayon and trace around the edges of the plate for a pattern. Use your scissors and cut out your two circles. Sew these two pieces together (back-to-back) on your sewing machine or by hand. Double stitch twice around the edges to give it body. Fringe from chenille rugs may be stitched around the outside of the mats for added attractiveness. They make lovely gifts.
"Be SURE not to make the mats any larger than 12 or 14 inches. If you do, you will defeat the purpose. Throw this mat on your kitchen floor and leave it there. You will find it a dandy thing for spills on the floor. Just take your foot and push the Heloise Mat across the spills and save that stooping over. The mat is so small that it takes practically no room in your washing machine each week.
"Why not make two while you're doing it? One to keep in front of your refrigerator and the other in front of the sink. Kick one or the other in front of your stove when frying bacon or meats. Sure saves mopping later. Grease spatters in such a fine spray when we fry that we can't even see it.
"And, gals, you are wrong ... if you think you can get by with only one side chenille. It's the bottom layer of chenille that wipes up the spills and shines the wax on the floor each time this mat is scooted across the floor with your foot! These mats are also wonderful in the bathroom. When one side gets oiled, just turn it over and use the other side."
UPDATE: I use bath towels and double them, doing pretty much the same. Make a few and you'll never want to be without one in the kitchen again! -- Heloise (the daughter)
FAST FACTS
Dear Readers: Here are a few handy ways to reuse an egg carton:
Carry deviled eggs. (Cover the bottom with plastic wrap first.)
Store buttons.
Use as packing material to cushion breakables.
Put small pieces or parts in one when assembling something.
SOUND OFF
Dear Heloise: I wish the manufacturers of sewing-machine needles would put the needle size on the flat back, not on the round part of the needle. It would be easier to read. -- Paul, via e-mail
(c)2007 by
44By Heloise Monday, May 28, 2007; 12:00 AM
The Heloise Mat
Dear Readers: Have you ever been preparing a meal in the kitchen and SPILLED SOMETHING on the floor? You have to stop what you're doing and clean it up. Well, my mother, the late Heloise (1919-1977), came up with the idea of a Heloise mat for the kitchen. She originally printed her mat directions in December 1963. We thought we would take a trip down memory lane. So, here are the directions for the mat in my mother's "voice": "Take an old chenille bathmat and double it over so that the chenille will be on both sides (bottom and top).
"Lay a large dinner plate or a turkey platter on top. Take a crayon and trace around the edges of the plate for a pattern. Use your scissors and cut out your two circles. Sew these two pieces together (back-to-back) on your sewing machine or by hand. Double stitch twice around the edges to give it body. Fringe from chenille rugs may be stitched around the outside of the mats for added attractiveness. They make lovely gifts.
"Be SURE not to make the mats any larger than 12 or 14 inches. If you do, you will defeat the purpose. Throw this mat on your kitchen floor and leave it there. You will find it a dandy thing for spills on the floor. Just take your foot and push the Heloise Mat across the spills and save that stooping over. The mat is so small that it takes practically no room in your washing machine each week.
"Why not make two while you're doing it? One to keep in front of your refrigerator and the other in front of the sink. Kick one or the other in front of your stove when frying bacon or meats. Sure saves mopping later. Grease spatters in such a fine spray when we fry that we can't even see it.
"And, gals, you are wrong ... if you think you can get by with only one side chenille. It's the bottom layer of chenille that wipes up the spills and shines the wax on the floor each time this mat is scooted across the floor with your foot! These mats are also wonderful in the bathroom. When one side gets oiled, just turn it over and use the other side."
UPDATE: I use bath towels and double them, doing pretty much the same. Make a few and you'll never want to be without one in the kitchen again! -- Heloise (the daughter)
FAST FACTS
Dear Readers: Here are a few handy ways to reuse an egg carton:
Carry deviled eggs. (Cover the bottom with plastic wrap first.)
Store buttons.
Use as packing material to cushion breakables.
Put small pieces or parts in one when assembling something.
SOUND OFF
Dear Heloise: I wish the manufacturers of sewing-machine needles would put the needle size on the flat back, not on the round part of the needle. It would be easier to read. -- Paul, via e-mail
(c)2007 by
1 rate 
Add a review
