The Washington times., 1928-11-26

DIlCC. ulG AOW DNAAG
The important thing to bear IN
mind is that the floor is primarily
q thing OF service something 70 pc
walked on. Anys finish used. there-
fore. must be capable OF standing
hard wear and usage. Here y
where most floor troubles begin.
Many floors are finished IN
way that win look perfectly all
right when applied, but will quickly
scratch and mar under the constant
wear Of heels, furniture legs and
romping children.
How 10 Wax Floors.
Apply a thin coat Of a good
quality floor wax. "a good method
Il to place small quantity of wax
between two or three thicknesses OF
cheeseclosh, forming sort Of e bag.
The wax will work through the
meshes OF the cloth as it passes over
the floor, thus insuring thinner,
more even coat than IL you put the
wax on the outside Of the cloth
and apply it direct.
Allow about Is minutes for this
coat of wax to dry, then rub to 9
polish with either a cloth, a
weighted floor brush. one OF the
patented polishing devices now on
the market, or an electric floor
polisher.
Waxing has always been consid-
cred the most beautiful Of all floor
finishes. Instead of a shiny, CLASSY
polish, it has a soft, subdued iuster.
1t reflects lights and shadows,
whether from sunlight. fireplace or
artificial light, in a way that Is
not possible with any other finish.
The mellow depths OF its beauty
add charm and refinement to the
entire room.
Lower In Cost
A waxed- finished floor is not only
richer looking, but tt Is actually
less expensive. After vanished
of shellacked floor has been in use
two or three years at the most,
scratches. heelmarks and worn
spots make it necessary to have old
finish completely removed and the
floor entirely refinished. This Is
because these finishes are composed
.of gums, and when dry. are very
brittle. This causes them to scratch
or mark as soon as they are ex-
posed to the wear and tear of heels
and furniture.
On the other hand, a floor that IS
finished with wax, by the direc-
tions given above, is down 10 stay.
wax is tough and pliable-and,
therefore. will not scratch OF mar.
II is possible to dent the wood OF
the floor, but it Is not possible 10
scratch the wax on the surface. An
occasional waxing of the spots most
used. and an annual waxing OF the
entire floor. is all that is needed
to keen such a floor beautiful for
ever. At a cost of few cents per
room per year you can have fioo.s
that will be the envy OF all who
see them.
What Wax Is
There are two kinds OF wakes
used in making floor wax--a hard,
durable wax imported from Brazil,
and softer. cheaper wax. 1t Is
the imported Carnauba wax that
makes possible the rich luster and
lasting finish. and in good floor
wax only enough of the other wax
is added to make 1t soft enough
to apply easily. The low cost OF
cheaper wakes is made possible oy
the small amount Of Carnauba wax
which they contain.
In purchasing wax, therefore, be
sure to get one of good quality.
1t does not pay to buy a cheap
wax. The difference in cost be-
tween a poor quality wax and the
best is very small, and the cheaper
grades will not give the wearing
surface nor the luster that you
should have.
Many people make the serious
mistake of cleaning wood floor
with soap and water, or water
alone. If you will stop to think
for a minute,' you will realize how
harmful water in any form, even a
damp cloth, is to wood floors. The
water gets into the pores Of the
wood, swells the boards. warps them,
opens the seams, and in time gives
the floor a dull, gray appearance.
When you realize that lumber
mills spend hundreds of thousands
OF dollars for kilns to extract the