Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-04-27
Misftllaneous.
SOME PRACTICAL HINTS on HOUSE.
CLEANING.

The annual spring conflict waged by
women all over the land against winters
accumulated CRIME and dust will soon
begin. A few suggestions to inexperi-
enced housekeepers may, therefore. not
be amiss.
It is bad policy to put whole house
ia disorder at once. If possible finish one
room or one portion of the house at a
time. "Begin at the top and clean down.
is an old housekeeper's motto. That is.
start with the attic, clean and put that
in order. then take the up stairs rooms
each in its proper turn, 90 that an apart
ment once thoroughly renovated will not
receive the first stain upon its spotless-
ness from dirty carpets carried through
from adjoining rooms. Then, too, before
cleaning a room it is well to regulate and
cleanse all its drawers, cupboards and
closets.
When in regular course the cellar is
reached particular care in purifying it will
be amply rewarded by immunity from the
sickness and disease that often proceeds
from cellars badly ventilated and filled
with the odors of decaying potatoes, APP
Piles and other vegetables.
If possible let the carpet-beating be
done by a man. The carpet should be the
cleaner for it and the woman's strength
will be reserved for necessary scrubbing
and securing in doors.
When carpet does not require to be
lifted from the floor it may be much
frightened and improved by first sweep
ing thoroughly and then going over it
with clean cloth and clear water con-
tanning about two tablespoonful Of ammo
MIA to two-thirds of a bucket of water.
An occasional thorough sweeping with
salt assists in keeping carpets free from
dust.
Before repapering wall it is best to
remove the old paper. This is trouble
some operation. Moisten a portion of the
wall at time to soften the paper and paste
and then scrape it off. When it
is desired to paper over white
washed surface, first scrape off
the loose lime, fill cracks with plaster OF
Paris and apply with brush sizing made
by adding eight ounces of dissolved glue
to pailful of hot water. Hard finished
walls may be washed with soap and wa
ter and wiped dry. Grease spots on wall
paper can sometimes be removed by APP
plying thick paste of boiing starch spread
thickly on the spot. then allowed 10 dry
and rubbed off with soft cloth. Other
stains may be cut out with a sharp knife
and piece of clean paper matched on.
Painted woodwork is washed with soap
and water. or little ammonia and water
on white paint. On grained work cold tea
is sometimes used. Very little if any soap
should be used on vanished work. In
washing woodwork do not use so much
water that II runs down and streaks the
wood, and wipe thoroughly.
Clean window glass with soap and water
and flannel or any other soft clothes that
leave no lint. Wash the glass, wipe it off,
rub dry with channels skin.
Almost any kind of furniture NAV be
cleaned by washing a small portion at n
time with little fine toilet soap and water
and quickly wiping it dry and rubbing it
hard with a soft cloth. A new paint brush
is excellent to remove dust from carved
furniture. Furniture as offer much i'm
proved by washing it clean and then re-
vanishing or going over with furniture
polish.
The backs and seats of chairs, lounges
and the like, where formed of fancy-colored
silk or wool embroidery. are cleaned by
professionals rs follows The needle work
is thoroughly beaten and brushed to re-
move dust; it is then well rubbed with
damp bran or bread two days old. Then
it is cleaned with benzine applied with
soft flannel, and finally rubbed as dry as
possibly with soft. clean cloths. Articles
cleaned with benzine are most quickly de-
odorized by exposing them to heat. which
dries out the benzine entirely. As benzine
is inflammable. this should not be done
until they appear to be quite dry.-Nem
York World.