The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-01-26

No floor covering is easier TO keep clear
than linoleum or oilcloth, says the Irisl
World. One does not have to lay in {
supply of soda and strong securing soaps
in order to feel equipped to keep tn,
kitchen linoleum in thoroughly good con
dition. All that is needed is a mild soap
a soft cloth and tepid water Hot water
should not be used, nor should the limo
| leum be left damp.
Makers of linoeum say that the proper
way to clean this material is to wash d
small section at a time. say square
yard and dry this before proceeding to
the next space.
To keep linoleum looking shiny and
new, little polish is required. A home
made polish can be made by dissolving
at low temperature, half pound of
beeswax and a pint OF turpentine. A
standard floor polish that can be bought
ready prepared can be used with equally
satisfactory results, Such polish should
be applied, say, once in three weeks. 1t
should be thoroughly rubbed in
One thing that should be remembered
in caring for linoleum ia that heavy cas-
tors-as those frequently on refrigerators
should not only never be rolled across
it, but they should not even be allowed
to remain stationary on it, They will
work down through the cork surface and
a hole will eventually be formed.
Ii one has heavy refrigerator on cas-
tors or legs that are small at the bottom,
glass or wooden cups shuold be bought
for such pieces of furniture in order to
protect the linoleum.
fTbora ara cIidino e,Iass sbpac which
have wide bearing surface and no rough
edges and which can be bought in several
sizes These have a shank similar to
that of a regular castor and can be made
to fit into castor socket.
No matter how expensive the linoleum
that one buys. it cannot be made to give
service unless il is properly
laid Workmen from the store in which
one buys linoleum or oilcloth will come
to lay il for a purchaser. but if floor
has fairly straight or unmdented edges,
so that there will be but little cutting of
the linoleum, it is possible for home |
workers to lay it with a reasonable de |
gree of success.
One should be provided with No. Is, !
wire brads, three-quarters of an inch /
long. and some good cement for closing
he edges where widths have to I've Icined /
No effort should be made TO have /
inoleum closely fitted when it is first /
aid. II should not be nailed at first. but |
should be let to lie and expand or adapt /
Itself to the floor, for two or three weeks.
md some say for two or three months.
L is sometimes an annoyance to have a
inoleum loose at the edges for so long,
nut manufacturers of linoleum declare
hat the best results are secured in this
vsy.
Since a linoleum should last for good
many years, with good care, one should
,e willing to have ii properly laid at the
tart.
After the expansion has ceased the
inoleum should be fitted closely all
round the edges.
Much trouble j. caused when water is
llowed to get under the edges of limo
aum In order to prevent water from
etiling at the Jennings, water proof &C.
lent should be used at the edges. Pro
aS4ional LAYERS Of lnoleum apply &C.
tent of this character To the entire sur
ace of a linoleum and then weight the
noleum all over with sand bags. or with
cards braced from the ceiling. SO that
be linoleum will adhere closely and
renlv over all it, area.
The home worker. however. viii find
less difficult to seal only the Jennings
r edges. as in front OF sinks or doors
round the pipes or legs Of tubs. or the
nk. the cement NAV be applied with
small brush. and after the adhesion be
M the cemented places should be well
eiehted with heavy objects, that should
% be removed until the cement has
loroughly hardened.
I.inoleum can also be laid over cement
sors. a. in laundries or bathrooms. wa
z proof cement being used a. the edges.
Dorothy Dexter.