The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1894-08-18
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ON DEo0 AND oEoDsko.
MsusskssDsss ~ ~ ~ p Itseae Assskl.
~ - Messiss Il D~eaSv6e3Atc% !:
Among the many dVfies Of the hou6e-
wife there IL one Mhieh Is absolutely
neglected. Bedsteads and their fufni'
tuPe rarely reeeise all the attention re.
quired Tor insusingA ssi4A aaA perfect
cleanliness. In scne houses beds aFe
i~A&finestsely left 70 Be attended 70 ss
eAMa1konal "sprfng cleaning OF
Nnbs66ssaken NJ ISen that, y the mat
tneses are tusued, the bed clothes re-
4ncved every by, ste. there is hardly
any possibility for Tbs accumulation
of such sh amount Of Airt and dust ~
might be uncomfortable or injurious
The query has been made, Is thu
spring cleaning inevitable? Is itneces-
cary to make q whole household
WFetched and uncomfortable by con.
densing into one or two weeks the
~c1eanfngs and scrubbings which would
be far more satisfactory and ehectual
if carried out in an imperceptible man
ner week by week, or month by month,
as occasion requires?
The iron bedstead has advantages
owe the older wooden M but both
a be kept in perfect order with a
minimum amount of attention, pro-
vided this be given regularly.
The former harbor dust more than
n realizes, as can easily be seen by
lifting the hths where they one
another: theseflittle nests, and every
corner should by busted with q brush
at intervals, and not unless this pre-
caution be taken can anyone boast of
cleanliness.
The main enemies are dust, damp,
and moth. Brushing must be extend.
ed to the mattresses, which hsrbor
dirt all along the edges, and especially
wherever q button is fixed.
A good plan is to tie q thick piece OF
cloth ali over the laths, under the mat
.~tresses. This serves a double purpose;
it helps to keep the bedding clean and
saves much wear, as the sharp irons
cut into the mattresses and often cause
ironmold.
A loose holland cover over the mat
tress, made to button tidily at n end,
also goes a long way toward keeping it
clean. This can be washed and changed
as often as need be without much
trouble or expense.
Our grandmothers (who mostly used
feather beds) used to remake them at
very regular intervals, one Dol in the
house being devoted to the purpose,
the ladies of the family, with their
heads tied up. themselves directing the
operations of upholstress and maids.
The feather bed is almost a thing of
the past, and, alas! individual atten-
ton to such puerile matters is almost
beneath the consideration of many
housekeepers of the present day.
If the mattress, pillow or feather bed
only need freshening. and space is not
too limited, the operation al be per-!
formed at home. Unpick the ticking,
remove the flock of feathers, pick them
all over thoroughly, and expose them
for t~wenty-four hours to the sun and
the air.
If this process should be necessary
during the cold weather. light u large
fire in a dry, airy room (which fire, by
the way, must be carefully screened,
as the least draught might cause the
feathers to fly about, and accidents
happen only o quickly.
The contents of pillows can easily be
baked in a large oven, but where
feather beds are concerned it would be
an endless matter.
The neatest way TO put up valances
is to run them on to a narrow wooden
lath fixed or merely laid on the bed
stead itself under the paillasse.
The old-fashioned heavy counter
panes, which seemed essential to
every householder's happiness. are 60
ing out Of use, chiefly perhaps because
they are so difficult to keep clean,
troublesome to wash at home unless
there is a great deal of space). and very
soon ruined by the average laundress
who does not forget to charge for get
ting them up"
If any unwelcome visitors should
make their appearance in wooden
frames. they are difficult to treat. on
account of the chinks in the wood;
nitric acid. however. 500 disposes of
the most obstinate cases. .
Benzine collas is a splendid cleansing
substance for iron: when. however. this
may be considered too expensive. pure
paraffine is a most efficient substitute.
though it requires a good lea of airing
is the greatest objection to its general