Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-13
FALL HOUSECLEANING.
BY cHR1sr1NE rERHuNE HERRIcK
tCopy ~tghted, 1885,

thoughts turn rather doletully to the task
of fall housekeeping. Although not such
an ordeal as was the wholesale lustration
bes owed in the spring, it is still, like all
renovations, whether periodical or oc-
casional, the reverse Of agreeable. There
may not be as much coal dust to brush
and scOur from holdings and wood work,
as many decay1ng vegetables to banish
from the cellar, or as formidable an accu-
mutation of bottles, jars and boxes to
rout out OF the attic and lumber room.
Neither are there heavy wOolens to brush,
examine and arduousy pack away in pa
per and cotton clOth sWathings. But If
the house has been closed for the summer
there are windows Of dust under doors
and windows, and panes of glass are
streaked from the driving Of showers
through the dirty blinds. and there is
close, airless smell about the whole house.
Even il part of the family have remained
at home there are yet curtains to put up,
paint 10 scour, thin dresses and under
clothing to lay away, and the establish
ment TO be reduced to complete order be-
fore the arrival of the cold weather.
This, too, is the season in which to give
careful attention to the plumbing,
strengthening the weak spots, tnat the
first sharp freeze may not insure bursting
pipes and flooded house.
When possible, it is advisable to have
the family remain away until everything
is in order with the exception of one ef-
hclent member, who can direct the work
OF restoration. Every additional person
to lodge and feed at such times is an
added care. The services OF stout
charwoman should be engaged, and her
first duty should be to get the house
"broom clean" If the carpets have been
taken up in the spring and thoroughly
beaten it is hardly worth while to repeat
the operation now. Should they have been
rolled in cloth and set aside at the time OF
the summer heglra, they must not be put
down until there has been a diligent
securing of floors, woodwork, windows
and blinds, and a polishing of gas fix
lures and mirrors. In laying and tack
ing the carpets, the labor of a professional
will not be a great expense. and will be
worth more than the money spent in the
time and eXertlOn spared to the unpracti-
cal worker.
The carpets down, the rooms begin al
ready to have furnished look. Cur
tains naturally come next, but white or
light cOlOred drapeTies of lace, scrlm
muslin, or Madras Will present but a
shabby appearance by Thanksgiving if
hung before the September and October
dust has ceased whirling. Their dainty
freshness will be exchanged for a shabby
dinginess that will cost the hOusekeeper a
p8ug whenever she sees them. Shades,
stuff pOrtieres and pictures may be put
up, however, and pieces OF drapcrv hung
that can readily be removed and shaken.
The furniture may be freed from its sum
mer cerements of linen and paper. and all
the dainty ornaments and bric-a- brac that
make house home instead of a mere
stopping place fitted to their accustomed
inches.
But this outward cleaning OF the cup
! .I..sA r. IL -
quired. There yet remain the closets to
be brushed clear of any lingering moth
who is DESTROYS Of securing snug hiber-
mating nook, the drawers to be empred and
cleaned, the wOOleus to be resurrected,
shaken and inspected to see ii they have
endured the siege of moth add buffalo bug
unframed. The cloths enveiopng the
heavy garments and furs must be folded
away for future use, their contents hung
in the sun and wind to be freed from
wrinkles and camphOr. With the reap
pearance of the winter clothing comes the
disappearance of summer wearing ap-
parel. These dresses should never be
packed away soiled, lest the dirt should
become so deeply ground into the fabric
that an Injurious amount Of scrubbing
will be required to restore cleanliness
The best way is to put them up rough
dry, but free from starch, as its presence
is apt to rot the goods. A half day or
more is well spent in sewing on buttons,
darning breaks and repairing rents in the
clothing that will not be needed for six or
eight months. When the hot weather ar
rives again with bound IN the midst of
spring dressmakfng and bousecleaning or
other seasonable occupations, the fore
thought that left light hannels and their
underwear in perfect order will be APP
preciated.
This is an excellent opportunity for
clearing out the rubbish that will accu-
mulate In even a small family and giving
away to the poor or selling to the rag and
bottle man the old garments, shoes, hats,
ETC., that are OF no further use to their
owners. Often such things are kept over
from the spring with the deluslve hone
thai they may prove OF service in the
autumn. Considerable strength Of mind
is required sometimes to ruthlessly cast
aside articles practically useless but en-
deared by association. Every added year
that they are kept renders ii more difficult
to resolve to part with them. An instance
of the absurd extreme to which this cling
ing to beggarly elements may he carried
was given by a mother OF four or five
boys and girls who had kept all the shoes
OF each one of her children. Large bags
were necessary to hold the motley and
widowed collection. They had been kept
so long that it seemed impossible TO throw
/
steadily, with a prospect of increasing
indefinitely. One may understand how
doting parents may cherish a baby's first
pair OF tiny slippers, but that pitch OF SEN
timentality ia past apprehension which
prompts another to preserve the hObeide-
noy shoes and the run down boots OF the
grown son and daughter.
The closets up stairs set In perfect
order, those below demand attention. I'm.
less kept behind closed doors, china,
glass and utensils are apt 10 he badly
specked by the end Of the fly season aud
to require a thorough publication. The
contents Of the pr serve closet should also
he sorted and arran led, and the jars
washed and wiped The position Of this
closet is difficult to determine. Authori-
ties state that it must not be too warm,
lest the jellies, pickles, etc, shou d fer
ment; nor too cold, lest they should
freeze. A good cellar is the best place in
wbicA TO Keep them, but if they arc neces.
ssrily stored near the kitchen, they should
be CAREFULLY examined at least once
month. A dark closet is always far pre-
terable to u light one.
Ii, as is sometimes uuavoldsbly the
case, the family must be at home during
tue tall housecleanng, the same rule
should be pursued as in the spring clean
ing, and one room reduced To order and
] oh III