Evening star., 1925-04-24

ned, If the KIND OF furnishings
that are easy to keep clean are
4 chosen and handled in the right
way. and if provision is made for
keeping all the dirt possible out of the
house there will be no need for up
heavals that result in discomfort to
the entire family. Moreover this sys-
tematic housekeeping saves time ana
labor in the end and is economical or
materials used in the furnishing and
care of the house.
Every capable housekeeper has
more or less fixed routine OF work,
which might he called her plan.
Oftentimes. with this plan as a basis
the housekeeping can be so organized
that the housekeeper can save herseh
much time and many steps. 10 keep
clean. rather than to make clean. is
q practical working prlnclple. Inns
means putting in order each day the
rooms that are in constant use, as
trihutins the heavy cleaning through
the week. and removing dirt frequent
ly and thoroughly by methods that
have been proved good. according TO
scientific and practical standards. All
the members of the household shoulo
help by keeping their own possessions
in order and putting things that they
use back in place in good condition.
Furnishings and Finishings.
The kind of furnishings your house
has and how the house itself Is ar
ranged and finished have much more
effect on the work of housecleanlnS
than most people realize. In many
instances Just few changes VIII soon
pay for themselves in time ana energy
saved. For instance, durable water
proof finish or covering, such as
linoleum for the floor in the kitchen
and pantry and removable rugs and
smoothly finished floors in the rest OF
the house will prove TO be an economy
Doing away with superttuous shelves
and holdings, filling up cracks ana
crevices in which dirt lodges, ana ar
ranging suitable storage places VIII
also help.
Keep Street Dirt Out.
Mucb dirt is blown in from dusty
streets especially in Summer, When
windows and doors are open. but
GOOD deal of this dust can be kept
out by systematic sprlnkllnS fouhu
the house. Removing the dirt regu-
larly from window sills. porches'
steps and walks will also help IN
keeping dust out OF the mouse, dS
will also screens covered with cheese
cloth or other thin material through
which air will pass, but not dust and
particularly helpful in pantries and
storerooms for doors and windows
situated near the ground, against
which dirt of all kinds is blown.
They will also help to keep out
dampness as we'll as dirt, and for
this purpose are good TO use on cellar
windows. These coverings should be
washed frequently.
Muddy or dusty shoes and clothing
are another source of dirt in the
house. Much of this can sc kept out
by doing away as much as possible
with dirt walks and bare ground
near the house. by insisting that mats
and scrapers be used outside the
doors and by providing special
places just inside. where muddy rub
bers and shoes and coats may be left.
What is the composition of dust?
1t has been described as a little of
everything. In the paved streets of
cities and towns earthly particles
from the soil are always present.
While street dust in the country is
largely made of the powered earth of
the road. in cities its lighter particles
are principally street dirt with more
or less of dried powdered material of
other kinds. The dust of rooms con-
tains earthly particles, minute frag-
ments of clothing fiber, bits of abrad-
ed skin, pieces worn away from walls,
floors and furniture, in addition to
mold spores, bacteria and street dust
in greater or less quantity. according
TO the location.
Methods of Cleaning.
Frequent cleaning saves time and
strength in the long run and is also
better for the house and its furnish
ings, because the fabric and finishes
receive less rubbing and wear. If
dust is allowed to remain. it may be
ground in or covered with a grease
film. In either case it will be hard
to remove. Also, the fine particles
of dirt rub against the fabrics and
finishes and tend TO wear them out.
Different kinds of surfaces and fur
niShingS must be treated in different
ways TO keep them clean and prolong
their usefulness. Hot water loosenS
dirt more easily, but it is more likely
10 injure finishes and fabrics than
lukewaTm or cold water. Water
should not be allowed to stand on
floors or woodwork nor TO get into
cracks or seams. 1t should, in fact.
he used very Sparingly and in most
cases wiped off at once.
The creviceS in wicker furniture are
difficult TO clean. but fortunately dirt
does not cling 10 il as it does To up.
holstery. Brushing followed by dust
ing seems to he the best treatment
for this kind of furniture. Ordinary
pastered and papered walls and cell
ings should be cleaned with a wall
brush or a broom covered with soft
cloth, such as cotton flannel. Light
overlapping strokes should be used. as
heavy strokes rub the dirt in. Cot
ton batting is good for cleaning places
that soil more Quickly than the rest.
for instance. the wall over radiators. :
registers and stoves. The wall should
he rubbed lightly with the cotton,
which should be turned as it becomes
soiled.
Regular atten1inn 10 The lSitchen