Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-03
House Cleaning.

In ordinary seasons it is possible to disturb
only one or two rooms at a time, but these are
kalsominers full swing and rush the process of
renovation through without delay, possessing
ones soul in sweet patience meantime and re-
loicfng IN the joys to come. Diminishing al PM
iosOphy but the purely Bacontan, let us discuss
the subject in its most practical form. Where
hard-finished walls have already been kalsom-
1ned the soiled coats should be washed or scraped
off before new one is put On. This is the most
disagreeable part OF the process. The furniture
should be covered, as lime makes spots that
are removed with difficulty. especially upon
the walls OF rooms speak very strongly In its
favor. 1t closes up the pores of the plaster So
that it cannot absorb Ill odors, 1t can be easily
cleaned with soda and water (soap and water
make it spotty), and it can be made Of any de-
sired tint. Perhaps some of our readers do not
know what active absorbents paper and plaster
urated with various etiiuvia, nothing but entire
renewal will cleanse them The Chinese under
stand this SO We'll that they will replaster a
room, furnishing labor and material for the old
plaster which is removed and used for fer
tilizing purposes. Insects find no harbor In
painted walls as they do in papered walls. and
when once the paint is dry there is no question
about the poisons used in producing desirable
tints. Before paint or kalsOmine is applied to
walls every crack and crevtce should be filled
with plaster or cement cement made as o Of one part
with common whiting. For the kalSomine put
quarter Of pound of white glue In cold water
over night and heat gradually In the morning
until dissolved. Mix s pounds OF whiting with
hot water, add the dissolved glue and stir TO-
gether, adding warm water until about the con-
sistency Of thick cream. Use kalsomine brush
instead Of water, the glue may be omitted In
washing painted walls it Is a good plan to re-
move from the room everything that can be In
ed 6y and then hang sheets
densing on the walls softenS the dirt and 1t may
be wiped of with wooden cloths wrung from
soda water; Ceilings mat nave 6eea smoked moi, 6y
water. If the wall about the stove has been
smoked by the stove cover the black patches
with gum shellac and they will not strike through
Furniture needs cleaning as much as other
woodwork. 1t may be washed with warm soap
suds quickly wiped dry and then rubbed with
an oily cloth. TO polish it. rub it with rotten
stone and sweet OIL Clean off the Oil. and polisi,
with cbamoiS skin. For ordinary wood Wori>
use whiting to rub the dirt Off and ammonia.
Mortar and paint may be removed from window
glass with hot, sharp vinegar. Grainedwoo
should be washed with cold tea. Carpets should
be thoroughly beaten On the wrong side frs
and then on the right; after which spots may J
water If paper has been laid under the carpet
all dust may be easily removed with it without
raising any The warmth of iioors Is greatly in.
paper under it. Drain pipes ana all places that
are sour or impure may be cleansed With lime
water, copperas water or carbolc acid. Cop
ptIdS luJAtu Will Utic NIlUCWdou puU upOu Uut
cellar walls win keep vermin away. Strong
brine may be used to advantage in washing
bedsteads, hot alum water Is alSo good for this
purpose. OIL of lavender win drive away fieas.
HelIebore sprinkled On the lioor at night de-
stroys cOckrOaches; they eat it and are poison
ed. Cayenne pepper blown into the cracks
where ants congregate will drive them away.
The same remedy is good also for mice. II gilt
frames when new are covered with a coat OF
white varnish all specks can then DE washed off
with water without harm.
Good fires should be kept up during house
cleaning time even though the doors and win
ton should be given to the provision of nu-
tritiouS and generous diet. Under the most Ia
vorable circumstances house cleaning makes
well as on the muscular, and good food at regu-
lar intervals will be a great help in enabling
one to be patient and find comfort in the philo-
sophy set forth at the beginning OF this brief
essay.