Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1886-08-04
THE HOUSEHOLD.
The Care Of bedroom,

At night close the blinds, pull down the
shades and light the gas or lamp. Unless
there il running water In the room carry away
waste water, ill pitchers and bring fresh drink
ing water. Take off large pillows and shams,
if used, and b~edspread If desired, and lay
them earefniiy on a chair. Turn the gas down
low before leaving the room.
In the morning go to the bedroom the first
thing after breakfast, open the windows, beat
| up the pillows and lay all the bedclothes to air.
Rooms should be left to air at least one hour.
Ii the weather is very stormy the window must
not be opened. Do not put the bedding where
1t will show from the street; it looks badly.
Hang q nishtgown IN the closet; it is not
healthful to roll it up and put it under the
pillow.
Before beginning to make the bed carry
away all soiled clothing, towels, etc, taking
care to dry carefully ali damp articles.
Empty all waste water, aud after rinsing the
vessels wash them thoroughly with hot suds
and dry them thoroughly with cloths kept for
that purpose. Never wipe toilet sets with the
soiled towels.
TaSe to the bedroom a pail of hot suds, and
with q sponge and cloth wash and wipe every
thing on the washstand. In the case of a sta
tionary washstand especially the bowl must be
carefully washed every morning with hot suds,
or a black scum viii sett e on it. Should this
occur, scour the basin with borax and water.
FIJI the pitcher with fresh water, and place
clean towels on the rack when necessary.
While doing this work protect your dress
with a coarse apron. You are now ready to
remove this, wash your hands and begin your
ed-making.
Three things are necessary to a wcll-made
bed; ii should be level, square, and smooth.
To keep it level, the mattress, if made of
feathers or straw, should he thoroughly shaken
up and turned every day. Feathers should be
frequently exposed to the sun and air to keep
them sweet ana dry. Ii the mattress is made
OF hair or cotton 1T should be turned twice a
week, once from head to foot, and once from
side to side. Mattresses made in two pieces
are so easily managed that they can be turned
every day.
To make the bed square, fold the clothes
carefully at the corners and sides.
To make it smooth, draw all the clothes, es-
pecially the spread, very tight.
When you take the clothes off to air the bed,
and when you put them back to make it, stand
at the same side of the bed; otherwise the
clothes may get turned about
The lower sheet should be put on right side
up, with the wide hem at the top of the bed.
luck 1t smoothly before putting ON the next
sheet.
Put the upper sheet on right side down, so
that when IL IS turned over the right side OF
the hem will be on the outside. Allow this
sheet to come above the blankets enough to
turn over well.
In putting on the blankets, be careful not to
let them come too near the top of the bed. II
the blankets are single and narrow, the upper
one may be laid from side to side instead of
lengthwise.
If the ~bedspread is to be removed at night
fold the sheet back over the blankets and I'M
der the spread, which SHOULD be tucked in
tight all around. When the spread is left on
the bed turn its top under the blankets, and
bring the upper sheet over all. laying it down
smoothly on the outside. Tuck in the clothes
smoothly on all sides, drawing the spread
tight. and making the corners square. Be
careful to have the clothes at the foot of the
bed folded under the mattress.
Next lay on the bolster carefully and set the
pillows evenly against the head board. If
shams are used pin them to the tops of the
pillows. Do not stick pins into the bedstead
the clothes hang dow in sight.
After the bed is made, brush up the room,
using whisk-room and a dus pan or carpet
sweeper. Once a week bedrooms should be
thoroughly swept, at which time the beds
should b. covered.
Dust daily with a soft cloth. Remove finger
marks from paint or mirrors with cloths wrung
out in hot water. Alcohol used instead Of
water 10 excellent for cleaning mirrors. Keep
the Woodwork of a room clean, especially the
boards and all the wood about the windows.
Inside blinds require frequent busting and
brushing.
Empty scrap baskets and hair bag. The
contents of the latter should be burned, and
never allowed to get INTO any of the water
pipes; it clogs them.
Put the furniture in place and arrange the
curtains and shades neatly before leaving the
room.
Rooms that are kept clean and cool and free
from dust will seldom be infested with bugs.
Once a month bedsteads should be we'll
WISHED. If the beds are old wash with a strong
brine or alum water, and use insect powder in
and jennings. Twice a year put mat
tress ont in the sun. -C2ceeland Pdindealey.