Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-05-23
Window Washiug,

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side of the window interferes with the
amount Of light needed for q healthful
house. In most homes windows are
cleaned rather more frequently than
health alone would demand, shining
windows having come to be to house
that "ball-mark Of responsibility" that
we'll cared for finger nails are TO those
who dwell in tile house. The best
"rule'' for window cleaning Is, not this
soap nor that powder, but, whatever
your method, do little often. 1t saves
strength and money.
Methods of prevention: An "ounce Of
prevention" having been established 81
our "cure," it were we'll to look to the
ventilation of the house. II your kitch
en- is 50 badly ventilated that the smoke
from your frying pan goes all through
the house, do not expect your window
washing to be either easy or cheap. a
second prevention would be to form the
habit of busting the panes as well rs the
sashes. From the inside there should be
frequent, perhaps daily busting Of sashei
and frames. The outside Of the window
is, to some extent, cared for by Nature
when she "sends showers upon them. y
But the outside soil, being largely min
eral matter, will scratch, and should be
therefore brushed off as frequently u
possible.
Dangers: That same fear of danger to
the window itself would lead Us to avoid
as FRACTIONAL agent any sharp, coarse
material. A scratch Is the bginniug OF q
break. Sudden changes 10 temperature
too, may bring about breaks. There
may be danger to the person In getting
at the window. The best way 10 to be-
gin on the outside, but from the inside
Then, when the inside is done, you car
tell whether or not your window 10 clean
and transparent. I'm building house
remember that double thick glass is faI
clearer. 1t is not necessary for all the
windows.) Begin by
. l. Partially lowering the onter sash
reaching over as far as the arm can 60
Then complete the lowering of the oute'
sash, raise the inner sash to tho same po'
sitiOn, and repeat as before.
2. Raise both sashes and from the
under side reach up and finish the out
side OF the outer sash.
8. Raise the outer sash. repeat a. be
fore, and finish the outside of the lower
sash.
4. Clean the inner sash, raise, pull
down the outer sash, and clean 1t. II
were we'll to note that sitting on ledge
feet in, is not dangerous, II tho heavy
part Of the body is kept inside the room
There Is, however, some danger Of
straining.
Processes of Window Cleaning: Such
being the method of handling window
it remains to consider the processes To-
volved in its cleaning. Remove, or push
away all draperIes. Take down or roll
the shade to the top; aud brush the
blinds as far as possible. The field be
ing 30 cleared for action, dust first, bet
ter with cloth than with brush. Their
wash. The necessity OF rinsing will de-
pend on the method employed In clean
ing. Drying and polishing follow. II
the drying Of the panes 10 done with
much force, they may not require further
polishing. For the sashes, polishing
will probably include olling. You may
have to 60 back to wipe dry the sashes
If they need to be left to soak In oil.
Cloths: For busting use q cloth soft
and rough in the sense of woolly, no,
rough to feel. This does not mean wool
for flannel is expensive, hard to wash
and gets hard itself. Cheesecloth
medium grade, and unbleached, is about
the best.
For washing, wool holds the most
moisture, but takes 1t slowly. Linen
takes quickly, and holds fairly we'll
Old linen is good, old table linen, for
example. But linen is rather too val
liable for medical purposes to use this
way. Old cotton, old sheets are good, II
not so old as to be linty. Old under
wear (gauze undervssts) make very good
cleaning cloths. (Say "cloths," no,
"rags" to q maid. It engenders more
respect for the article, and is likely to
secure for it greater care.)
Absorption is the point to be consid
cred in drying cloth. If It had not a
higher value, linen would be the fabric
par excellence for this. Cheesecloth i,
very good. For polishing channels Il
fine, but expensive, and ono must know
how to wash 1t. Newspapers do excel.
lent polishing.
Methods: Consider the kind of glass
the weather, and the temperature, then
choose that method which best satisfies
these conditions at the time.
Use of Water: Make 1t rule to use al
little as possible; never enough to run
That piles up rubbing for you. A door
channels does excellent work for clean.
ing. Many people use three channels.
Ammonia: On fine plate glass win
dows, clear water, preferably tepid, may
be used with advantage. Hot water
evaporates too soon, and cold water does
not attack grease. A. little bit of am
monia Is safe and acts much quicker or
the windows. Being an alkali, 1t will
cut grease. Being volatile alkali, Il
would evaporate In hot water.
Cider Vinegar: Two tablespoons oil
cider vinegar to quart Of tepid water
does very we'll for windows. Rain wstel
contains many acids, which film the out
side Of the window. Vinegar (cider
acts on this.
Hydrochloric Acid: A twenty per CEN
solution of hydrochloric acid 10 all right
In bad cases, use straight acid.
Soapsuds: Soap combines alkali, whict
we must have for grease. But sOapsud.
take more water for rinsing, and there
fore take little moro time and Q grea
deal more rubbing.
Kerosene In Water: A little kerosene
In water, ono or two tablespoons to tn,
quart, Is excellent for window cleaning
1t removes grease, and adds fine polish
Kerosene Alone: Kerosene alone? Il
freezing weather, water will not do
Kerosene or alcohol will not freeze a
ordinary freezing point.
Fly Specks: Fly specks are organic
matter hardened on the window. Fol
scraping, use something that IL dull
smnoth, and hard, as . silver knife, o,
the back Of steel one. A coin, provid.
cd it has smooth edges il excellent.
Paint Spots: Try turpentine, or strong
washing soda, and scrspe.
Putty: Try scraping.
Whitewash: II rubbed while fresh, q
dry flannel Is often all that is needed. II
old, try vinegar.
Cautions: Do not wash windows when
the sun is shining on them. They will
dry unevenly, streaking. The glare on
tho windows 10 dangerous eye strain.
Do not let ammonia, alcohol, or strong
ak alis drip or rest on the wood or var.
nish. Kerosene will do them good.
Either leave window open, or shut
and locked.
When cleaning look at the window
from different angles.
Be sure that the corners are clean and
dry. A skewer IL good for getting into
the corners. A blunt pencil will do.
Hitting the screena with the hand