The Red Cloud chief., 1889-03-22
CARE OF CARPETS.
How to Sweep Them ard How 10 ~
move Grease and Ink Spots

How to Sweep Them ard How to Re-
move Grease and Ink Spots
A carpet that has been cared Tor
properly, although only OF an 0rde
NARY kind, will outlast one OF a SUI
perior grade that has been neglected.
Therefore it is very important that
the carpet be carefully treated. The
sweeping of q carpet requires. to be
sure. some strength, but generally
housewives give too much strength to
fhis work, more than is cvcr needed.
It is vcry foolish to dig with tho
broom so hard that 1t seems as though
O were trying TO get at the floor be-
meath, yet that is the way many
women sweep, some Of them eSRn
working the carpet from the sides OF
the room in spots. As the dust on q
carpet is always On the surface, a
light, swift stroke Of the broom is all
that Is needed to dislodge it, for what
ever dust has worked through the car
pet no broom can remove, but it must
await the taking up OF the carpet.
Before beginning 10 sweep. with q
small corn broom brush out thorough
IL the sides and corners OF the roOms
and II there is a stove in the room,
brush under the oilcloth or zinc.
Dampened corn meal is excellent for
Frightening the colOrs and laying the
DUST taking care that the coarest
meal is used for this purpose. and
not the granulatcd, rs the latter ought
never be used. When spreading the
meal do not allow any to fall at
the sides OF carpet near the wall or
in the corners, for it is almost impos-
sible to remove it wholly from these
places, and moths rovel in it. Some
women use dampcnel tea leaves with
good results when sweeping, but We
never had much cncces5 with them,
and prefer the corn meal. Salt is a
wonderful brjghtencr Of ~Colors, but is
not a success in keeping down tho
dust Snow is enc Of the best things
we know for laying the dust, but it is
not advisable to use it in a very warm
room, for il IL is allowed to melt ere
sweeping Of it is apt to leave a tiny
pool Of water, which, doing no harm
of itself, might, when mixed with the
dust. leave u muddy SPOT on the car.
pet which would he difficult to remove
II the carpet aftorswecpirg is wiped
over with n cloth wrung out OF am
monia water il will look much brighter.
Use a tablespoonful of household am
monia to q half a pail OF warm water.
Many use n sponge. out a cloth made
from old mcrino undcrwarc is every
bit as good. Wiring the cloth as dry
rs possible. and go over a small space
ut a time. changing the water as often
rs thought advisable. II there are any
indications of moths around tho edges
or in the corners, wiring out n clean
cloth from clear water and lay over
the carpet on the places suspected,
then with n hot iron go over the cloth
and there will be no danger from these
pests after.
Usually Il cloth wrung out of am
mOnia water applied to grease or dust
spots will remove them. but it will re-
quiro hard rubbing in some cases.
Another way is to rub the spots with a
flannel dipped in turpcntine. Largo
grease spots or oil spots can no re.
novel by covering with whiting. let it
remain oyer night. then brush of, and
IL the grease is not removed apply
more whiting, and SO continue until
the spot has been erased. Buckwheat
is also good for this purpose, and.
lacking both. common flour may be
used successfully.
When Ink has hoen spilled on the
carpet take up rs much Of il rs posi-
bic with n clean cloth. then get some
clean water. and with n clean cloth
apply tho water. changing the latter
frequently until all tho ink has been
removed. DO not rub the spot. but
press tho ink out by sopping. Then
with . clean. dry cloth wipe rs dry Is
possible. Apply the water while the
ink is fresh or it will not have the de-
sired effect. Many use milk for the
removal Of ink. but it is not advisable
to use it on a carpet. rs it is sure to
leave a grease spot that may he very
obstinate to erase. Boston Budget.