Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-04-11

Many houses are always in order, and
one fails to detect dust or dirt; yet they
lack the freshness and sweetness which
should be part of every home. In such
homes the carpet-sweeper or the small
brush-brOOm and the dust-pan are used to
remove all the perceptlble dirt from the
floor. The sunlight is shut out, lest car
pets and furniture covering be faded: the
rooms do not get Il thorough airing every
day. and this Is why visitor feels Oppress-
ed on entering. A wooden carpet will alb
sOrb not only the dust, but also all the
gases and unpleasant odOrs which come in
contact with it. The carpet or rugs in a
sitting-rOOm should be swept or
shaken once week at least, and these
rooms should be thoroughly aired every
morning.
Straw mating, or hard wood. or paint
ed floors are sweeter andmor conducive to
health than wooden carpets. It Is, there
fore, a pity that anything but mating Is
ever used for covering bedroom floor.
Small rugs that anybody can easily shake
may be placed beside the bed and wash
stand, and, indeed, wherever one world
like a mat to give an air of warmth and
comfort to the room. Many persons o.
ject to mating. because they say 1t does
not wear well. The best quality will. how
ever. outwear an ingram carpet. Cheap
mattlngs are expensive at any price.
There should be nothing in a bedroom
that is not washable, and the furnishing
should be simple that it can be cared for
without too much time and labor. The
beds should be thoroughly aired every
morning the sheets, blankets. pillows and
mattresses so disposed that there shall be a
current of air about them; and if possible
they should be exposed to the sunshine
All closets should be thoroughly aired
daily.
The kitchen and cellar must be as care
fully watched as any other part of the
house. How often the bad Odors and
much sickness could be traced to the
kitchen or CELLAR A few decayed vege-
tables or fruit left there may cause an IN
pleasant odor that will penetrate every
part of the house and often bring on ser
ious illness. In the kitchen there must be
a daily inspection of closets and thorough
airing several times IN the day. The
window should be dropped a few inches
from the top all the time, In this way keep
ing the air pure, and. as matter of fact.
keeping the whole house sweeter. 1t Is "a
misfortune to have an enclosed sink, be-
cause the closet is. as a rule, d receptacle
for damp dish, sink and floor cloths, all Of
which should be exposed TO air and light.
instead of being thrown into dark corner
until wanted again.
Another important thing to keep in
mind Is the plumbing. The more con-
venlences a housekeeper has in the way of
set bowls. bathrooms, etc, the greater her
cares: but for these modern conveniences
may be d source of greater danger. Ii Is
singular that but a few understand the
necessity for a thorough flushing of the
pipes once or twice day what Is actually
necessary Is a waste 4 constant leakage
is a waste. but there should be perfect
rush Of water through all the pipes at least
once a day. Once q week the pipes should
have poured through them boiling hot
soda water, half pint Of Washing soda
dissolved in two gallons of boiling water.
When brought by the quarter barrel soda
Is very cheap.
Three or four barrels Of charcoal set In
different parts Of the cellar will be Of great
help IL keeping the house sweet.
In daup weather in summer a IRE
should be Lighted in some room In the
main part of the house. and the doors In
all the rooms be opened. IN order that all
the house may be kept dry.
IL we would have sweet homes We must
be prodIgai In our use of water, fresh air,
and sunlight