The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-08-15
ON BEDS AND BEDDING.

Hsusekeepers Apt 10 Paw Too Little Atten-
tion to Nicsties of Renovating.
Among the many duties of the house
wife there i one which i absolutely
neglected Bedsteads and their furnl-
ture rarely receive all the attention re-
CURED for insuring health and perfect
cleanliness. In some houses beds are
tnstinctively left TO be attended 10 at
the traditional spring cleaning or
the mistaken notion that. as this mat
treSses are turned, the bed clothes re-
moved every day, etc, there Is hardly
any possibility for the accumulation
of such an amount of dirt and dust as
might be uncomfortab bic or injurious.
The query has been made, Is this
spring cleaning inevitable? Is il neces-
sarv to make whole household
wretched and uncomfortable by con-
densing into one or two weeks the
cleanings and scrubbings which would
be far more satisfactory and effectu2l
if carried out IN an imperceptible man
ner week by week, or month by month,
as occasion requires?
The iron bedstead has advantages
over the older wooden one: but both
can be kept in perfect order with a
minimum amount of attention, pro-
vided this be given regularly.
The former harbor dust more than
one realizes. as can easily be seen by
lifting the laths where they cross one
another: these little nests, and every
corner should by busted with 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 har5or
dirt all along the edges. and especially
wherever button is fixed.
A good plan IS to tie thick piece Of
cloth all over the laths, under the mat
tresses. This serves 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 MAJ
tress. made 10 button tidily at one end,
also goes a long way toward keeping 4
clean. This can be washed and changed
as often as need be without much
trouble or expense.
Our grandmothers fyvho mostly used
feather beds used To renake them AZ
very regular intervals, one room 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 70 such puerile matters j. almost
| beneath the consideration of many
housekeepers of the present day
II the mattress, pillow or feather bed
only need freShening. and space is not
too limited, the opera ton can be per
formed at home. Unpics the ticking,
remove the flock Of feathers. pick them
ali over thoroughly. and expose them
/ for twenty-four hours to the sun and
! the air.
If this process should be necessary
during the cold weather. light large
| tire in dry. airy room (which TIRE, OT
/ the way. must be carefully screened,
as the least draught might cause the
feathers to hy about. and accldeht7
happen only too quickly.
The contents of pillows can easily be
/ baked in 4 large oven, but where
| feather beds are concerned II would oe
an endless matter.
The neatest way 20 put up valances
| Is TO run them on to a narrow wooden
7 lath fixed or merely laid on the bed
( stead itself under the paillssse-
/ The old-fsshioued heavy counter
/ panes. which seemed essential u
every householder's happiness. are 90
I ing out Of use, chiefly perhaps oecau7e
they are 50 difficult 10 keep clean.
/ troublesome 70 wash a. home lunlss,
1 there IS a great deal OF space. and ver7
! soon ruined 81 the average lsuHaress
I who does not forget 20 charge Tor get
/ ting them up.
{ II any uuwelcone visitors should
I make their appearance IN wooden
| frames. they are dificsit 20 treat on
I account OF the chinks in the yvo9d;
I nitric zcid however. soon { isPosss O:
! ,he most obstinate case
/ B.nzine collas IS q splendid cleansing
/ substance Tor iron; when, however, th!s