Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-08-18

Correspondence on topics Of interest tothe lsdl.
Ia solicited. Address: Editor HoMEnAKERa
COLt1M. Oxford Democrat. Paris. Maine.
The Care of Straw Mating.
First of all, when the mating Is pur-
chased, see that it is sufficiently large
for the floor, so that it will not require
the slightest stretching to make it tit. II
it is thin, rice mating, have the, strips
sewed together, just as the widths OF q
carpet are joined, and the edges turned
in for three or four inches all around.
Other mating should be laid in strips.
Ordinary tacks are worse than useless
for fastening mating to the floor; kind
of double tack is made for this purpose,
and is the only kind that will hold the
mating, and not tear out the fiber. II
possible it is best to lay the mating
while the room is otherwise empty.
With every kind of floor covering the
lining has much to do with its wearing
qualities, and as good lining should be
used for straw mating as for the best
carpet that is made. Several layers OF
newspaper may be used. They make
the task of lifting the mating much
easier, and keep away moths and carpet
bugs. If rugs are used over the mating,
keep a constant lookout for buffalo
bugs, for straw mating is said to be the
best kind of home for these creatures.
A layer of straw, covered with layer
of newspaper, makes an excellent lining
for straw mating that is to be left on
the floor throughout the winter. 1t is
not only warm, but lengthens the term
of usefulness by keeping the boards in
the floor from marking the mating; a
mark from crack between boards soon
develops into shabby place, which is
likely to become broken in very short
time.
When mating is used in bedroom, il
should be protected from the heavier
furniture by small pads, made of leather,
cut from the tops of old shoes, or OF
several thicknesses of pasteboard, cover
ed with pieces of the chintz or other ma.
terial with which the room is furnished
These can be slipped beneath the casters
of the bed, chiffonier, and dresser, and
underneath the supports of any piece Of
furniture sufficiently heavy to veal
through, or mark the mating. The
furniture shops keep little holders fol
this purpose, but the homemade ones
answer every purpose.
Many housekeepers sweep mating
much as they do a carpet or rug, and
fail to realize that this one thing will
make the mating shabby much more
quickly than a month of service. The
ordinary broom is too harsh for mating
and it's use will soon break or rougher
the fiber. A soft brush may be pur
chased for sweeping mating, or cover
of outing flannel made for common
broom, and washed each time it is used
This cover should be made with tape:
that tie it securely to the broom, and
permit it to be removed easily when the
sweeping is over. This same covering
or one like it, will be found better thar
any kind of broom or brush for removing
the dust from painted or oiled floor
or one of hardwood.
Often the figure or pattern will fade
from straw mating long before it i:
worn out, or a white mating will be
come discolored. To remedy the latter
wash the entire mating with strong sod;
water. This will turn the straw deeI
creamy yellow, which, although it j!
hardly as pretty as the white, is more t
be preferred than kind of variegatet
floor covering, which appears dingy ant
soiled. The faded figures can be renew
ed by the application of little dye, ant
the process is SO very simple that any
housekeeper can do the work herself
provided she has sufficient time to devote
to it. If the design is a large, bolt
figure, prepare the dye according tt
directions on the package, and apply il
carefully to the mating, following thu
outline of the design, which can b'
marked in with soft lead pencil before
commencing the work if it is not clearly
defined. For finely traced design and
a small figure, use fine brush, and Sc
lect portion of the mating which ii
not in sight for the first attempt.
| Stains of all kinds should be removed
from mating as soon as they are dis
covered, for if they are neglected, th'
dust collects on the surface, and in
a very short time it becomes almost i'm
possible to remove them without leav
ing trace.
For grease spots, try several pieces o
clean blotting paper and warm fiat
iron; do not have the iron too hot, OF
the grease will spread into the mating
as soon as it melts under the iron. Shift
the blotting paper frequently, so that i
will absorb all the grease possible al
quickly as it is melted. Washing thu
mating occasionally with strong sal
and water will strengthen the fiber, an(
remove nearly all ordinary stains; fol
those which prove obstinate, paste o
with water, is usually effective; appl!
to the spot, and leave for several hour
or over night, and then brush up with
stiff whisk broom; if any of the stail
still remains, repeat the treatment unit
it disappears.
When sweeping or washing straw mat
ting, one should always follow thu
weave, drawing the brush or cloth across
the widths, instead of lengthwise, so a
not to break the fibers. When the straw
or fiber once begins to fray and break
the mating soon becomes shabby, ant
nothing will do this so quickly as sweep
ing against the weave.
Mating is not intended for rougl
usage and severe wear, and when it Il
used in a room where it is likely to re
ceive severe treatment, it should be pro
tected in the places most exposed b!
rugs which are of size that will permi
them to be lifted out-of-doOrs frequently
to be cleaned, while the mating il
washed or brushed.
A floor treated in this way leave
nothing to be desired for bed chamber
or sick room, for it can always be mad'
wholesome in short time without rails
i Il IL