Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-10
ART IN SWEEPING.
Some Points That May Be Useful Even to
Experienced Housekeepers.

Every housekeeper knows there is a
certain art in sweeping room which
requires skill and patience, says the n.
Y. Tribune. All the difference between
refined. daintily kept parlor and a
lounging-room defiant with dust and
disorder lies in the proper doing of
this simple work. The great mistake
which the novice in sweeping makes is
to take long, heavy strokes. These
are manifestly labor thrown away.
The object of sweeping is not to wear
out the carpet. 1t is to brush the dust
out of the carpet. Short. light, even
strokes do the work as it should be
done. In any carpet it is always best
to sweep it once with the grain, and
then again across it. going over each
two or three yards of the carpet in this
way till it is all swept. Where there
is fireplace it is we'll to sweep toward
it to collect the dust in one pile.
Where the carpet is old and worn
even it is not quite as necessary 10
sweep it in both directions, but where
it is new and there are perceptible
ridges in the weaving where dust may
be this caution is always necessary. A
Brussels or nap carpet should always
be swept in this way. There are many
excellent houses where there is not
proper equipment of brushes. brooms,
and distinguishes for sweeping. Be-
fore beginning to sweep a room all
pieces OF furniture which are easily
movable should be busted and set in
an adjoining room. All small pieces
of bric-a-brac and other articles which
are liable to catch the dust should be
removed. Large pieces of furniture,
like beds. bureaus, and bookcases,
should be carefully and closely cover
ed with distinguishes. The windows
should be opened and the blinds dust
ed, but if the windows are to be wash
ed it should be done after the sweep
ing, when the paint is wiped.
After the first sweeping of room it
is usually left for five or ten minutes,
for the dust to settle, when the ceiling
and walls may be busted with the long
hair brushes provided for the purpose.
The pictures should be busted with soft
dry cloths. Brushing around the
edges of the carpet with whisk brush
is regular part of the sweeping. and
should not be omitted. After going
over room thoroughly and allowing
the dust to settle, it is always necessary
to brush it over again. and it is best to
do it with damp broom. so as to col
lect all the dust. Wiping with damp
cloth wrung out as dry as possible
from water in which two tablespoon
fuls of ammonia have been put to
brighten faded colors and make the
carpet look fresh and new. Before
putting the furniture back into the
room all fnger-marks and soiled spots
on The paint or woodwork should be
wiped off.
Ii there is a fireplace the hearth
should be washed up and the ironwork
rubbed of with a rag dampened slight
ly with kerosene oil. If there is BRASS
work it should be carefully polished.
The dusting-sheets may now he re-
moved and the furniture put back in
place. busted and fresh. Such sweep
ing as this Is a part of the regu ar
housework every week in house
where there are carpets. and every
room ia the house should he swept rs
thoroughly as this. While upon this
subject it is well to suggest that house
keepers, who are buying heavy pieces
of furniture not easily moved. should
purchase only such pieces as are lifted
up on legs, leaving clear space for The
broom to pass under and collect the
dust.