The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1925-01-29
THE KITCHEN FLOOR

One of the big labor savers in the
kitchen is the floor. A floor which
has never been finished is difficult to
clean because it absorbs the dirt and
grease easily. Because this is actually
absorbed into the wood severe scrub.
bling is necessary to remove it. This
in time makes the wood rough and
slivery and even more difficult to
clean.
There are several different ways of
finishing floors. The only practical
one for the floor which has already
started to show wear is the use of
paint. Before applying the floor should
be thoroly cleaned and allowed to
dry. If there are prominent cracks in
this or any other type of floor fill
them with a mixture of cabinet glue
and sawdust enough to make a paste
the consistency of putty. Fill the
cracks, using putty knife to work
1T in. Allow to dry. Purchase the
best quality of floor paint. 1t is poor
economy to buy poor paint as it must
be renewed more often. An especially
hard paint is deck paint. It will wear
well and clean easily but can only
be had in battleship grey. Make the
hrst coat of paint a very thin one but
work well into the wood. The linseed
oil OF which the paint is made, is a
hne preservative of wood when an
piled In this manner. Let this coat
dry thoroly then apply another SIM
liar coat. If three coats are applied
N this manner and great care taken
20 see that the floor is not used I'M
Ill absolutely dry, this floor should
give good service. Hard scrubbing
Will not be necessary as all dirt will
,e surface rather than absorbed dirt.
when necessary to clean, mop with
lear water or luke warm water with
little good soap. Strong washing
solutions and scalding water will ruin
my finish.
Oiled floors are used in public plac-
s where there is a great deal of
year. 1t is applied warm and allowed
o stand on the floor until we'll alb.
orbed. 1t has its disadvantages in the
ome. An oiled floor will get darker
nth each application and is difficult
keep clean in the home. It will /,
oil garments which come in contact
nth it and children can not play on
his type of floor.
When floor is new, has a good
rain, and is made of semi hard wood
1ch as douglas fir, it is nice TO
eep the natural finish. In this case
is best to first sandpaper it well.
o this by placing a piece of sand
aper over a flat block and rubbing
18th the grain. The board prevents
aking grooves in the wood. Proceed a
fill the cracks as before stated t
nd in addition apply a good COM !
ercial wood filler. All wood contains 6
yers that are porous. If filled well. :
e floor will wear longer. The filler
applied by use of a weighted box
ell padded where it comes in con-
ct with the floor. Work against the
ain this time. When this process is
mpete stain is applied. This COL
s the floor slightly and brings out
e grain. Oil stains are best, for
nile they absorb more slowly than
e spirit ones, the result is smooth
The floors are now ready to either E
TX or varnish. In either case a nom
ease absorbing coat is spread over
e floor. An advantage of the wax
that it can be renewed frequently e
the places that receive harder
ar and varnish cannot. For the wax
lsh, first use the paste. Place a
antity in square of burlap or
nnysack and catch up the corners.
10 thin coat over the entire sur
a IF h.,