The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-04-01
THE SPRING FEVER.
Some Valuable Hints to People who Clean
House in tho Spring.

No matter how regularly the routine
of daily work has gone on during the
winter months, the opening of spring
reveals to the ambitious housewife the
absolute necessity of thorough over
hauling. Don't be too eager about it,
sister, unless you are exceptionally
strong. A clean house, however salts
factory of itself, will be dearly pur-
chased at the expense of health. Let
some strong-armed, humble worker lend
hand in the trough of il" if the serv-
ices of domesticated Bridget are not
available. Begin in good season, un-
dertaking one or two rooms only, in
stead of having the whole house in con-
fusion at once.
The cellar is good place in which to
begin hostilities. The ash-bin should
be emptied, the furnace cleared, and
every bit of useless rubbish disposed of.
A faithful search for overlooked and
decaying vegetables is necessary, for
they are a prolific cause of disease. If
needful, the air of the cellar may be
purified and parasitical growth destroy
ed by burning birthstone in an old pan,
closing doors and windows closely,
meanwhile, for a few hours. After the
floor has been sprinkled and swept
coating of whitewash should be applied
to the walls and woodwork. Add to
the wash copperas, which is a cheap ar
ticle, in the proportion of six or eight
pounds to half bushel of quicklime.
This has fine cleansing and disinfecting
properties, and is a sovereign prophy-
Tactic against the ravageS of rats and
mice. Once a year is none too often for
this to be done.
The dram of the kitchen sink must
never be neglected. Dissolve a few
cents worth of copperas in pailful of
hot water, and pour a little of this
liquid into the drainpipe daily, and it
will be freed from its noxious odors.
The grease from dish-water often clogs
the pipe. Ammonia, used instead of
soap for dish-washing, would soon clear
away the obstruction, as it works
chemically upon grease and ''kills" it.
A solution of lye would have the same
effect.
On examining the accumulations of
supertluous furniture or cast-off clothing
in the attic, sort out, with free hand,
what may be spared for the greater
needs of Others Winter clothing must
be cared for before the insidiolls moth
miller claims it for its home, and hatch
es those destructive little worms that
live but to destroy. Hang the garments
on the line out doors and beat them
well with whisk, then envelop them in
brown paper and mark the name of
garment and its owner with ink on each
package.
Carpets infested by buffalo bugs
should be steamed with a damp cloth
and hot fiat-iron, which will kill the
eggs, and the adult miscreant that
shows himself will no doubt, meet the
fate he deserves, on the spot The
steaming operation should be repeated
frequently. Bedsteads washed with
kerosene will never be troubled with
vermin. Dalmatian powder sprinkled
in the way of ants, when their visits be-
gin, will cause them to disappear Pow
dered borax is also said to be good
When room is to have new paper,
the old ought to be removed first A
boiler of hot water set in the room, and
! the door closed for while, will cause
the paper to loosen so that it may be
taken off without difficulty. The wood
work may then be cleaned easily while
the dirt is softened by the steam. Weak
lye is invaluable for cleaning painted
woodwork, and saleratus water is good.
but both must be thoroughly rinsed off
before the final wiping. Whiting or
finely powdered quartz is serviceable for
the most soiled spots. Ammonia, used
in the proportion of tablespoonful (or
less if very strong) to quart of hot wa
ter, is an excellent cleanser. Afterwards
use it still more diluted for the plants.
Rub the nickel stove-trimmings and
the plated handles and hinges of doors
with kerosene and whiting, and polish
with dry cloth. Ten cents worth of
oXalic acid dissolved in a pint of hot
water will remove paint spots from the
windows. Pour a little into cup and
apply TO the spots with swab, but be
sure not to allow the acid to touch the
hands. Brasses may be quickly cleaned
with it. Great care must be exercised in
labelling the bottle, and putting it out
of the reach of children, as it is deadly
poison. Spots in vanished furniture
are removed by rubbing them with es-
sence of peppermint or spirits of cam
phor, and afterwards using furniture
polish or cold linseed oil.-Mary Vim
chester, IN Good Housekeeping.