Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-05-01
SPRING HOUSE CLEANING.

Progress for May
We consider the last week in April
or the first of May the best time for
this work, because if performed ear
lier much dirt has been carried back
into the house. Work moderately,
thoughtfully and not break down or
have every thing in chaos. 1t is
good plan to boil a ham, bake light
bread and pies previously so that
more time can be given to the clean
ing without the hinderance of seeing
after the cooking. Begin at the attic,
if you have one, and sprinkle the
floor, sweep down the cobwebs,
straighten the plumber, dismissingall
that is worthless, then scrub the floor
and give it thorough airing. Come
on down, so that all will be clean
when you are through and clean each
suit of rooms thoroughly, taking care
not to upset too many at time, for
one day, well done is better than
two or three thrown into disorder.
All the articles Of furniture should be
taken out of the room. Economic
some other way, if necessary, but
procure the services of two stout men
to carefully lift out every thing, The
pictures, draperies and blinds must
then be taken down and cleaned, and
then the carpet carefully removed to
the lawn and well shaken, and whip
ped with switches, not beaten with
sticks, as they are apt to tear holes in
thin carpeting. Ingram and three
ply carpets should be lifted every
spring, and if the room is used con-
stantly, it is well to be shaken in the
fall, too, as the dust and grit easily
penetrate them and help to wear
them. Brussels and velvet carpets
do not need to be taken up ottener
than oncein every two or three years;
and the heavy Wiltons, Moquettes,
and Administers once in four or FIVE.
Their fabric is so firm dust cannot
sift through, and thorough sweep
ing will cleanse the surface. Then
take two ounces of carbonate of am
monia to one gallon of water and
wiring cloth out of it, and rub the
carpet, breadth by breadth. If this
is not effectual cleaning pint of ox's
gall mixed with three quarts of cold
water applied the same way will re-
move all dirt. Rinse with cold water,
and rub the carpet dry with soft
cloth. Rugs are superceding carpets,
and recommend themselves to the
neat houSekeeper, because they can
be easily handled. A square rug in
the centre, with smaller ones at the
furniture; and borderspainted on the
floor are very pretty. But we have
left that vacant room a long time
after carefully sprinkling the floor
and cleaning up the dust tie a soft
cloth over the bottom of the broom
and gently sweep the ceiling and
walls in regular strokes, so as not tC
give it streaked appearance. Crates
and tenders should be vanished in
every part, and if they have become
discolored, Brunswick varnish made
from the following recipe will restore
them: Melt half a pound of asphalt
tum gum in one pint of oil of turpen
tine, and when it has become vel
dissolved, stir it into a quarter Of 6
pint of linseed oil. If it is too thick
to run from the brush add little
more turpentine.
AfterthOroughly cleaning windows
WainscOts, mantleS, etc, scour thu
floor, and whileit is drying look aftel
the mattress and bed steads. W.
could fill pages giving recipes, bu
desist After vanishing and replac
ing your furniture youwill be so tireC
from the eXertion, that you may neg
ect the cellar. You can rest weeE
before beginning that, but don't neg
lect it loo long. White wash tn,
walls, clean out all decaying vegeta
bles that may have been left and Civ
it thorough ventilation, if you priz
the health of your family.