The Washington times., 1920-01-20
Saving Money in the Home
Little Tricks For Women
in Household Economics
By ELIZABETH LATTIMER-

II HVS tSss %aas can save sssis %o%:s %:s, y i'm:
i i pie and thorough house clean
ing, done with great regularity
Here are five seemingly opinions
suggestions which will aid tre-
mendously In economical cieanli'
ness;
Keep dirt out of the house. Clean
walks. steps. porches and Ailis ana
clean shoes means less dirt Indoors.
Remove dust thoroughly. fsht
methods mean removal, not scatter
ing where II will settle again.
Do heavy cleaning a little at q
time. This will avoid the necessity
for the burdensome task or fall
and spring housekeeping-a period
which makes everyone miserable.
Use water and cleaning agents
sparingly. Too much Injuries wood
and all finishes, weakens glue. paste
and cement. Always rub until thor
oughly dry.
Train the family to leave things
Before buying 4 new device ask
yourself: "Will II pay for itself
in the long run? WIN It make some
especially disagreeable task easierf"
Cleaning cloth should be soft and
loosely woven so that II will take
up dirt easily and itself be easy
20 clean. A duster takes up dirt
better IL a few drops or water or
oil have been sprinkled on 1t. Be
ware Of too much moisture or oil 1t
leaves streaks. For wiping very
dirty places use soft paper, cotton
waste or rags that may be thrown
away.
Cleaning Agents.
Many cleaning agents are sold In
special form under trade names.
Often these are convenient but cost
more than can be mixed at home.
In using soap, choose a mild form
that contains no free alkali which
Injuries the finish OF walls. wood
work, etc. Kerosene in small guam
titles is an excellent cleaner. 1t
cuts grease and thus frees dirt.
Washing soda, borax, lye and am
monia soften water and cut grease.
Use one-half tablespoon washing
soda. one teaspoon lye, one table
spoon borax or two tablespoons am
monia for each gallon of water.
Scourers are used to remove dirt
and tarnish. also to give polish.
Whiting is a good scourer for fine
surfaces. Mix with water for alumi-
mum, with kerosene for enameled
iron and porcelain and with water,
alcohol or ammonia for silver. Rot
tenstone mixed with oil to creamy
consistency makes good polish
for brass. copper and pewter. Bath
brick is a coarse scourer used for
steel, iron and zinc. Apply with a
little water or on very soiled sur
faces with kerosene. Steelwool re-
moves stains and discolorations
from hard metal surfaces and from
wood. A fine wool should be used.
b How To Go To Work.
In cleaning walls wipe down fire.
7uuently with a broom covered with
n canton flannel bag or with a long
.handled soft brush. Rub soiled sur
faces over radiators, registers and
stoves lightly with cotton batting,
changing the cotton as it becomes
soiled. Guard against such soiled
places by keeping the floor around
them free from dust. Wash .oil
painted walls and ceilings like pa
Dcr with a cloth wrung out of warm
soapy water. Do not leave any mois-
ture on the paper.
In cleaning windows and mirrors
rub frequently with soft paper.
When washing use a clean. lintless
cloth wrung out Of water to which
kerosene, alcohol or washing soda
has been added. Work quickly and
finish with dry cloth or soft paper.
Glass may be dry cleaned with a
paste made of whiting and water.
Rub on the glass, let dry and polish
with cloth or paper.
Wash woodwork with soapy water
and dry thoroughly. Beware of u.s.
ing too much water, soap or clean
ing powder. They injure the finish.
Use hot water for enamel finishes
1t dissolves the grease and does not
harm the gloss. Soaps dull enamel.
Clean oiled, vanished and shell