Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-03-08


Every crevice about the windows and the
doors-and where Is the builder who does
not leave too many of them ?-invitos the
dust which Is flying with the wind to en-
ter. Every incoming foot which crosses
the threshold brings its contribution from
the soil it has trodden. The furnace and
the CRATE deposit delicate veil Of ashes ov-
or every article of furniture and ornament,
and on every bit of slucco and moulding,
and even hang it like tapestry on the walls.
Is II any wonder that the dismayed house
keeper cries out, "Where does all the dirt
come from2" and the problem how to get
rid of it is a serious one. Certain IT is that
sweeping in many households means little
else than stirring up the dust. The car
pct is forced TO yield its store only that the
greater part may find a Judgement on the
furniture, from which vigorous use of II
feather-duster again sets it atloat to settle
down again at its leisure when the maid
leaves the room, triumphanty carrying
away with her, as trophy of her labors,
dustpan containing a little of the coarser
dirt and great deal of the wool from the
amount of the finer particles.
A few simple arrangements will MAKE
the business of sweeping much more effect
ual, and the suggestions we make can with
little thought be applied to the different
appar ments in the house. First let the
mantle ornaments he busted with soft
cloth and removed TO an adjoining room or
closet. 1t is best also to put the smallerar-
ticles of furniture out OF the room. The
curtains should be shaken and put as much
out of the way as possible, the shades roll
ed up, the upholstered portions of the
chairs and sofas carefully brushed, md ev-
erything which must remain in the room
covered with cloths provided for the pur-
pose. Then let the windows be opened,
and with long handlcd buster the stucco
work and mouldngs carefully brushed,
the worker especially watching to disturb
any insidous spider. 1t is well also To
brush the picture cords rs well as the backs
of the pictures. Moths make sad havoc in
the worsted cord and sometimes their raw
ages cause disastrous crash.
With a small whisk the corners and edg
es of the carpet should be brushed, tina, the
dust which a large broom cannot reach
may be dsodged. careful person will
| find it a great help to scatter damp tea
leaves or bran over the carpet, but if some
drops of liquid should be spilled with the
leaves an ugly stain may he left, especially
| il the colors of the carpet are delicate.
Short, light strokes of the broom are most
eflectual. 1t is not advisable to beat your
/ III l. Z. to, .,,t nd
strokes only beat out the dirt and wear off
the fibres of wool. Sweeping is a much
easier and less dsagreeable task if carpets
which are much used are frequently taken
up and cleaned, and the comfort and health
of the whole family are thus greatly in
creased. One thoughtful and intelligent
| gentleman of our acquaintance considers
that the atmosphere is rendered so impure
and unhealthy by the dust which arises
from wooden carpets, that he is dscarding
them from his home, and is now using
with satisfaction the recently invented
wood carpeting.
The room having been well swept, and
sufficient time allowed for the dust TO "set-
tie" we will arm ourselves with two clean
busting cloths, small feather-duster, ana
proceed to wage war against the minute
particles, which, escaping from the assaults
of the broom, have flown up and ensconc-
ced themselves about the room. 1t Is
scarcely necessary 10 say that the results oil
the sweeping should be gently brushed n
IN n dustpan and carried carefully out OF
the house: and yet it is common to see "a
sort of winnowing operation in when the
dirt is swept from the room out into the
hall and out Of the front door, thus sending
cloud of dust through the house. The
coverings thrown over the larger pieces o.
furniture should DE taken oil carefully
| and shaken out of doors. Next win Inc
cloth wipe Off all the dust that can he reach
ed. Let the fcather-duster alone, eXcep
for sucb delicate carved articles and suct
small interstices as dely the entrance III
cloth. l should like TO enter here 81 aS'
onslaught again It the tribe of ieather-dust
ers. They might be the invention of th'
: natron saint of dust. They institute ;
Mesa nj game of battledore and shutliecocl
: with it, sending from one side OF the room
, TO the other. A cloth may be used to M
better purpose, but if the furniture is gent
: ly wiped, the dust will adhere to the clotl
and can he finally disposed OF. The arti
cles taken from the 70, m can now be re
placed, and there remains only to take
final circuit with damp cloth to remove
finger marks and other spots from TIN
:, doors, windowsills, marbles, etc., wip,
. and polish the hearth, and the ON ma,
invite the inspection of the most iastidion
- housekeeper.-C Christian Weekly.