Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-07-21
CARE OF POLISHED WOOD.

Miss Parloa's late studies In Paris
enable her to speak with authority on
the treatment and care of polished floors.
There, such floors are the rule, even In
small apartments, and their care Is not
considered a task. The daily polishing
with the brush or flannel Is quickly done,
and thus an unbroken surface Is kept,
upon which dirt cannot stick.
Such daily attention may seem more
than would be given TO carpets, but II IL
q question of looks. The dust is on the
carpet, but does not show, and, there
fore, is not removed. The polished sur
face shows the dust and the careful house
wife IL troubled till this visible dirt is
taken away.
Real cleanliness Is obtained more
easily with floors of narrow, hard wood
boards, perfectly matched, thoroughly
smoothed and well polished. The OBJ
lection that such floors are cold does not
seem valid. The extra thickness of one
half to seven-eighths Of an inch of hard
wood should ensure as much warmth "a
carpet. That they are slippery cannot
be denied; but this may be lessened by
certain methods of treatment, and, ex-
cept for the aged or inflrm, is a difficulty
soon overcome by getting the knsck" OF
walking upon them. In this country
large rugs covering the centre are most
favored, then the sides may be polished
10 any degree desired. These rugs
should be often cleaned and aired out of
doors. Small rugs should never be laid
on such floors, In places where person
steps quickly, or without thinking, as at
the bottom of stairs, at doors, or In halls.
No rollers should be used on furniture
over polished floors. Each part which
touches the wood should be fitted with a
piece OF thick felt securely glued on.
This protects the floor and allows easy
movement.
These floors require only the sweeping
with hair brush and the wiping with a
dust mop or soft cloth.
Wax, alone, gives the highest polish
but Is always slippery. IL should be
rubbed on evenly. Any little bits re-
manning will show as black specks after
the polishing. The brush should be
used across the grain, at first, afterward
with the grain. Wax and turpentine
furnish less degree OF polish which IL,
therefore, less slippery; while the add,
ton OF psrsfline oil lessons Il still more
II II be desired TO keep the floor very
light the oil mixture should not be used
for oil always dsrkens wood.
Water Is the worst thing that can be
applied To any waxed surface. A dAmr
cloth may be used. All spatters OF
drops of any liquid should be wiped az
Immediately. When spots come-a,
come they will-rub them hard with 1
piece of thick felt under the foot or viii
fiinnel moistened In turpentine.
Remember 10 keep the surface wei
polished, then dirt cannot stick auC
substances spilled cannot reach the wooc
and make spots. With all these pre-
cautions the floors, which are CONSTANT,
used, will need an entire renovation oc
casioually. They should then be rubbet
al over with steel wool ill every spot |,
scraped out. IL the wood has grown
dark il may be whitened by wash o
Oxslic acid Rub perfectly smooth anC
clean before applying the wax or othe
encaustic.
\ good encaus,ic which will clean ant
polish az the same time may be mad,
from wax, sal-soda, and any good soap
The wax and soap should be shaved aut
} dissolved in boiling water. Stir FIRE
auently and add the soda. Put tn
J mixture In something which NAV b,
closely covered aud stir constantly I'll
cool. This may be applied 10 floors
furniture, marbles, tiles, bricks, etc. |
will remove ink from polished surfaces
The French use white wax on whit,
marbles, but this IL not absolutel,
necessary.
Furniture is usually flushed In shella,
and varnish, or oil finish. The hlghes
polish il called piano polish" This 4
very easily scratched. ANY poishe'
surface will become clouded Ia time. |
the polish Is unbroken by scra,che
which reach the surface OF the wood
sitt on finely powdered pumice and rul
hard with piece OF thick felt wet will
water. Have the felt large enough {,
grip firmly. Go over the entire surface
little By little. Then apply mixture o
iurpentine aud parsiiine oil, In equa
parts. DO not be afraid 10 rub hard III
the polish comes. IL there are dee,
scratches water must not be used. |
will leave dark lines, wherever IL touche
the wood. Use rotttenstone and oil In
stead of water and polish till no Track /
left, when finger is drawn across tn
surface.
In every house, no matter how grea
$ care IL exercised, the woodwork ant
furniture will become msrred ,-brulse
l appear in unknown ways and piece
chip of in slightly places. The house
wife may repair most of these in shor
time, IL the materials needed are a
hand. These include few OF the com
mon colored earihs, turpentine, shellac
oil, alcohol and fine emery paper, or stee
wool 4 set of these materials. in con
yeDient shape and quantity, has been pu
up by n well known house, dealing IL
printers supplies, which Is known a
Miss Parlos's Set" When piece o
wood has been Clipped of, smooth tn
surface carefully with bit Of steel WOO
or emery paper. Take piece OF chess
cloth about six inches square, told in tn
edges aud roll hard Moisten the middle
OF this with oil, then with shellac, ant
touch il TO bit OF the earth required I,
give the desired color. Apply this quick
Is TO the prepared wood The shella
should be thin and must not be rubbe,
hard. IL dries very quickly and tn
Work must De done speedily. III there 4
any grating sound more oil is needed
Repeat the processes till the origina
color is obtained. IL requires minut,
quantities and delicate manipulation, bu
experience will soon train the judgment
The colors most needed are raw umbe
for light oak; burnt lumber for dark oal
, and black walnut; burnt sienna for ma
hogany or cherry.
Dents and bruises where the surface Il
unbroken may be moistened with warn
water. When very deep, several fold
OF wet cloth may be laid over the spo
and hot poker held on the upper sur
face. The steam will cause the wood L
swell 10 nearly or quite its original pro
portions. The heat may destroy tn,
finish. which should, then, be restored
White spots made by heat or alcoho
may be rubbed with sweet oil. II deep
they can be scraped over, and the color
restored in the same way as for Clipped
places. A bit Of glue, drop of oil, {,
little practice with hammer and screw
driver may save much irritation, snG
many bill Of expense.
A few words OF caution may not come
amiss. Any cloths used with oil and