Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-10-18

from the Phiadelphia Press.
House cleaning in the fall, although much less
prominence is given to it, Is fully as important
as house cleaning in the spring, especially when,
as is often the case in town, the house has been
closed for the summer. The use of dsinfectants
is then necessary, and sweeping, busting, scrub
bling and whitewashing are imperatively called
for. 1t is a well-known fact that malaria is more
active In the early fall than at any other season.
even in the dog days. There is in the air an ex-
cess of moisture, and this with heat the exact
elements necessary for decomposition. Mephtic
taints are slower in coming to head, so to
speak, and so linger longer about the house.
Besides, in our furnace-heated houses. the frost
has no chance to kill poisonous germs and when
the fires are started they rise on the hot air,
carrying the seeds of disease and death into par
lor and bed-chamber. Therefore embarrassing
is done but once year, the fall rather than the
spring should be the time selected and every nook
and corner of the cellar should be well white
washed. strong solution of copperas is excel
lent for pouring down sinks and water
closets. while chloride of lime should be
used for sprnkling in back yards and damp
corners. Concentrated lye or strong solution
Of potash will often clear a stopped pipe by
eating away the obstruction. 1t is. however,
useless where much grease has accumulated,
since it merely converts it into soap and so
hardens it. These accumulations are more
frequent than one is apt to suppose and some
times clog the drain pipes by degrees until at
last space of several feet is filled. To clear
this out the aid OF the plumber is necessary,
but it may be prevented by occasionally, say
once week. flushing the pipe with hot water.
Beds should be cleaned, mattresses summed.
and blankets and quilts, which have been packed
away, taken out and we'll aired to rid them of
the OdOr of camphOr or tar paper. Strong spirits
of ammonia injected by means of small glass
syringe into every crevice of the bedstead will
effectually dislodge any unpleasant occupants,
and s''uld be supplemented by liberal busting
with sect powder.
Where carpets have been left on the floor, give
them thorough sweeping either with a new
broom, or better still, patent carpet sweeper.
Where this last is used, 1t will be necessary to
use dust brush and pan for the corners. If
any signs of moths are detected. turn back the
thickly under them-this will probably check
their ravages. Steam cleaning is, however, the
only certain method of destroying them.
CARPETS AND RUGS.
1t is moOted question whether mating
should be taken up and laid away or left on the
floor under the carpet. Under an ingram the
seams in the mating undoubtedly wear the
carpet, unless three or more thicknesses of
paper are laid between them. Tapestry and
Brussels carpeting are but little affected by
the mating. which undoubtedly keeps better
upon the floor. Indeed. if it is left down and
covered with coarse brown wrapping paper
such as grocers use put between it and the
carpet. it will be found nicely cleaned by spring.
We have found stains which resisted all other
applications disappear entirely under such
treatment.
Carpets which have been laid away for the
summer should be carefully examined before
putting down. and il the moths have invaded
them should be at once sent to the steam
cleaners. Ingram carpets may be nicely mended
by slipping patch under the hole and FASTING
patch and carpet together with stiff flour paste
taking care that the figures match. and ironing
with hot iron to make the edges lie smooth and
adhere properly.
The popular fancy for rugs and mats is an eco
nOmcal one. since it renders it easy to hide any
worn or faded spots in the carpet under their
friendly shelter.
A faded carpet may often be much fresh
ened by washing with beef gall and water
one part of gall to three of cold water. Rub
this into the carpet either with clean flannel
or soft brush rinse the lather off with cold
water and rub the carpet dry with soft cloth.
If there are any very dirty places wash them
with gall only. 1t will be wise to speak for the
gall a few DAYS before it is needed Light col
Ored Brussels or velvet carpets may be dyed to
form the center of a large rug, or for carpet
with bright border. Dyeing will expose any
worn places mercilessly. for the carpet must
necessarily be dyed all one color; but where the
carpet is good one, and the light color is
objected to- the experiment will probably prove
satisfactory in the highest degree, giving an en-
tirey new effect, we'll suited to the fashion of
the day.
Stained floors, with large rugs IN the center of
the rOOm grow constantly in favor. and some
handsome new houses have floors of costly
woods. highly polished for the purpose. Ele-
giant Turkish and Persian rugs are used e:i these
but the fashion obtains also in cheaper fabrics
and ingram AID tapestry rubs are shown in
abundance at the carpet stores along with the
pretty Smyrna rugs which initiate the Oriental
carpets
OILED FLOORS.
If the floor is to be shelacked, painter will
do it tor few dollars. and it is best to EMPLOY
his services. 1t is, however. quite easy to oil
the floor yourself. Get boiled lnseed Oil, two
quarts or SO, for small rOOm-mOre for large
One-three quarts being the average guam
| tty. With this mix very little spirits
OF turpentine to make it dry quickly,
and little bnrnt Sienna or Spanish
brown for cOlOring. as you prefer walnut or
mahogany color. Heat your oil boiling hot and
apply it with a soft brush or a mop heating
more as it becomes cool or is used up. The heat
will make the oil penetrate the wood much bet
ter than if it were cold. Do two planks at
time and be careful to apply the oil with the
grain of the wood When the floor is dry polish
1t well with dry-rubbing brush and wax. Of
course the floor must be scrubbed clean before
the work Of Oi!iHg is begun. The following
recipe comes from England, where stained floors
have been in use for centuries: Put one ounce
Yandyhe brown in oil, three ounces pearlaSh and
VESSEL pour on these one quart boiling water
and stir with piece Of wood Ga wooden spoon
might answer). The boards should be smoOthed
and sandpapered, and any cracks filled up with
plaster OF Paris. Take a stiff brush. dip in the
| stain and rub in well. Rub the floor the way
Of the grain a small piece at a time. By rub
bing in more in one place than another, an ap-
pearance OF granting is more apparent. When
quite dry, size the boards with glue size made
by boiling glue in water, and brushing it in the
boards hot. This dry, the boards should be pa
pered smooth and vanished with brown hard
varnish or oak varnish. The brown varnish
wears better and dries quicker Thin it with
little French polish. This will stain either Oak
| or walnut, according to the intensity Of the
STAIN"
Stained floors for halls, with strip of car
peting through the center are considered very
stylish. and are certainly very economical. The
| stairs on each side of stair carpeting should be
| stained to match.
An excellent furniture polish is made of
| spirits of turpentine aud lnseed oil in equal
| parts. Apply with flannel cloth, and polish
| Off with chamOis skin. Before using the
polish wash the furniture with either white
CASTLE or with Frank Siddalls soap, and wipe
| dry,
If steels such as knives, fre-irons. stair rods,
etc., have become rusted oil them with coal oil.