Timeless Tips from Homemakers of the Past is an ongoing series highlighting useful and thought provoking tidbits from the generations of homemakers who have gone before us.\u00a0 Our goal at Sheep Among Wolves is to provide a forum for Good and Great literature, and to help you in your quest for godly, high-quality resources.\u00a0 It is our hope that these Timeless Tips will be an aid and encouragement to you as you strive to follow the example of Titus 2, and become a keeper of the home.<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Sometimes writing a household tip can be just as useful to the writer as to the reader.\u00a0 I tried replacing my standard hand lotion with liquid glycerine purely because I had read about it in an old book, and wanted to write a blog post on it.<\/p>\n

However, having tried it, I would happily qualify for the host of a glycerine-hand-lotion advertising campaign.<\/p>\n

When this recipe was first printed, Queen Victoria had been on the British throne for three years, Martin Van Buren was President of the United States, and the first American railway had only been operating a decade.\u00a0 But for a wonder, the glycerine hand lotion that Eliza Leslie recommends in Miss Leslie\u2019s Lady\u2019s House-Book<\/em><\/a>, published in 1840, is sold today just as it was then.<\/p>\n

What is Glycerine?<\/strong><\/p>\n

When I first came across this recipe, my knowledge of glycerine was very limited.\u00a0 I had a vague idea you could buy glycerine bar soap at speciality stores.\u00a0 I think, if I\u2019d been obliged to guess at what it was, I would have suggested that glycerine was something like gelatine, and that it made the soap firm instead of liquid.<\/p>\n

I was somewhat surprised when the author gave the following description:<\/p>\n

\u201cGlycerine, a liquid preparation, to be obtained at the druggists, is excellent for the hands, keeping them always soft and smooth.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You can buy it in a bottle. \u00a0Mine is around 3 oz., and labelled as containing \u201cglycerine 100% v\/v\u201d. \u00a0It is also known as glycerin. \u00a0It is a slightly thick liquid, that feels a little bit greasy, and a little bid sticky, but once on your hands is quite similar to hand sanitizer.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t taste as bad as hand sanitizer, but don\u2019t lick your hand to find out, because it still doesn\u2019t taste very pleasant!\u00a0 I\u2019d let it soak in a bit before eating carrot sticks, for instance.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How Do You Use Glycerine?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The key point to remember in substituting glycerine for hand lotion is that a little goes a long way.\u00a0 Miss Leslie\u2019s instructions read:<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter washing your hands in the usual manner, pour on their palms four or five drops of glycerine, and rub it well into them.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Four or five drops is a very generous allowance.\u00a0 Glycerine takes a little rubbing in, and you\u2019re better to start with less, and then add more if you need it.<\/p>\n

I started with applying it 2 plus times a day, but within the first week I had notice such a huge improvement that I cut it down to once a day.\u00a0 It seems to leave a very slight residue on your hands, but the results on are so much superior to standard hand lotion, that I still recommend it over any hand lotion I\u2019ve tried.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Where Can You Buy It?<\/strong><\/p>\n

As Miss Leslie noted above, glycerine is \u201ca liquid preparation to be obtained at the druggists.\u201d\u00a0 You can buy it today at any ordinary drug store.\u00a0 It is advertised as being good for minor burns, as well as dry skin.<\/p>\n

In evaluating the cost of glycerine verses hand lotion, keep in mind the fact that a bottle of glycerine will last much longer than a similarly sized bottle of lotion.\u00a0 You use a lot less glycerine to produce equal or better results.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo small a portion is required for daily use, that a half-dollar bottle of it will last a long time.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

While the price of glycerine has risen a bit since this book first appeared in the 1840\u2019s, the same principle is still in effect.\u00a0 A 3 oz. bottle of glycerine will cost you a few dollars, but it will be used up at a very slow rate.<\/p>\n

Harmless and Helpful<\/strong><\/p>\n

It is true that some Victorian products contained ingredients like mercury and lead, which are now recognized as harmful.\u00a0 But on the other hand, many of the old housewife recipes for useful salves, lotions, and similar mixtures, contain truly healthful solutions to difficulties we all face today.<\/p>\n

Maybe dry skin isn\u2019t the problem you are struggling with today.\u00a0 (If so, don\u2019t bother buying a bottle of glycerine just because I wrote a post on it!)\u00a0 But do<\/em> consider whether you might find a helpful solution in the wisdom of the Homemakers of the Past.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in more recipes for curing everyday difficulties with everyday ingredients, take a look at our recent post:<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

You might also enjoy:<\/p>\n

<\/a>

Sew on a button with the help of a pin.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a>

Where to get a Free 10,700 page hymnal.<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a>

Activity to accompany the book A Charge To Keep<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unless otherwise referenced, the quotations in this article were taken from Miss Leslie\u2019s Lady\u2019s House-Book<\/strong><\/a>, by Eliza Leslie.<\/em><\/p>\n

This post may have been shared with the following linkups: The Art of Homemaking Mondays,<\/a> Monday\u2019s Musings,<\/a> The Modest Mom,<\/a> Titus 2 Tuesday,<\/a> Tuesdays With A Twist,<\/a> Homemaking Wednesdays,<\/a> Wise Woman Linkup,<\/a> Coffee and Conversation.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Timeless Tips from Homemakers of the Past is an ongoing series highlighting useful and thought provoking tidbits from the generations of homemakers who have gone before us.\u00a0 Our goal at… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1669,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1667","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-proverbs-31-woman"],"yoast_head":"\n