Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-09-19
Coverings for the Floors
How to Buy Rugs and Carpets, and How to Clear
Rugs, Mating, Linoeum and Oilcoth.
Protection of Hardwood

1t. All rugs should be used for at
least two weeks before being given
their first sweeping. This will allow
the pile to settle and greatly ProlonE
the wearing qualities of the carpet
No rug should ever be shaken. as
this has a tendency to pull the fiber
apart and soon disintegrates 1t. Beat
gently and sweep if a vacuum clean
err is not at hand
Care of Oriental Rugs.
Oriental rugs. if genuine, are in fast
colorS. and the top or right side is
practically indestructible. The threads
1T the back. however, are very easily
damaged Hence, Oriental rugs should
always be beaten on the right side.
When beaten. they should be hung
on the line or laid on tho grass or
other soft surface. If much soi]cd,
they may be washed or scrubbed by
means of a stiff brush with soap bark
dissolved in boiling water, and after
ward wiped off with a clean sponge
and dried with a cloth. In Winter
lay an Oriental rug on the porch or
other fiat surface outdoors. sprinkle
it with snow, then brush it off with
stiff broom or heavy Whisk broom. To
brighten the colors. slightly moisten
some salt with kerosene. Sprinkle this
sene Will not leave greasy effect.
The dirt will soon pass off and the
Colors will he freShened Cornmeal
may he used in place of salt.
To prevent any rug from curling
al the corners after laying it on the
floor. fasten under each corner a tri-
angular bit Of corrugated rubber
Let these extend about nine inches
along tho rug Sore several small
hnlo in, I,o
the holes into the ia brio. This not
only keeps tho rugs in place, but
makes them last longer
To Protect Hardwood.
To prevent furniture from scratch
ing or marring hardwood floors, get
pieces Of thick felt or soft rubber.
or ohta in from a cnhbler sheet of
rubber solinc. Cut these to the exact
size of the table and chair feet. Cover
them with glue, and when the glue
becomes "tackN' lay them on. Put
ncuspa pcrS under the chairs to pro-
teCt the floor until the glue is quite
dry. The floor viii be kept in much
better condition if the members of the
family wear rubber heels on their
shoes.
To Brighten Mating.
To clean. first sprinkle mating with
bits Of wet newspaper similar
substance the same as when clean
ing carpet. then sweep it the way Of
the weave, hut not across il. wash
with strong salt and water .
strengthen the ibers. or wash with
skim milk. rinse in warm water, and
dry quickly with a coarse cloth. If
YOUR iight-colorcd mating has be-
come stained and faded. wash it with
n to-
give it Il uniform solid cream color,
harmonizing the different tints, or
With a water-cclor brush apply suit
able dSeStuf to the pattern to re-
yiye and restore it,
0ncloth ard LinoIeurr.
Cilcloth or llnoleum should not be
scrubbed With a stiff brush or mop or
sa tursted with water: neither should
sal soda or other strong washing
compounds be used upon it The sur
face is nothing but paint, and If it be-
comes soaked. especially with water
centa inlng strong soapsudS or wash
ing compounds, it will crumbIe and
quickly decay. To use 4 large sponge
with lDkeNarm water containing
skim milk is the best way to wash
nilc1oth. After removing the dirt
with skim milk and water go over it
q second time, rinsing with sponge
urung out of clear warm water and
dry enough to take up nearly all of
the moisture and admit of the floor
drying quickly, or rub it over with a
dry wooden cloth. Finally go over
the surface with a rag dipped in
boiled linsecd oil or crude petroleum.
oil. After the cloth has been once
sa turated 1t will require but small
quantity OF oil each time afterwards.
To brighten the colors in oilcloth
put little salt in the water in which
it is washed. This will brighten and
frcshen the colors with which it is
painted,
The thin oi1cloths used on kitchen
tables and shelves can be cleaned in
the Same way as floor oilcloth. Do
not use either SOAP or hot water. but
noistcn the rag slightly in kerosene.
Rub the oilclcth until it is perfectly
clean. wiring the cloth out of not
water and dip again in kerosene when
necessary. Afterwards rub dr. with
4 flannel Cloth. Polish with little
lnSeed oil or u cloth slightly damp
encd with nov milk