Evening star., 1941-06-28
First Aid
For the
AHngHouse
By ROGER b. WHITMAN.


Sooner or later any housewife is
likely to be confronted with the
need for cleaning her toilet fixtures
of stains from dripping faucets and
from impurities in the water. In
cleaning off these stains harsh
abrasives. such as coarse securing
powders and steel wool should not
be used for these would destroy the
glossy surface of the enamel. A safe
method is to use SCratchleSS clean
ing powder on stiff SCrubblng
brush or nail brush, moiStened with
kerosene. Long rubbing may be
needed, but will get results. In
toilet bowls of solid porcelain use
can be made of drain cleaners to
be had at a grocer's. Three chem
icals should not be used Oh enam-
eled fixtures, however. for they
would eat into the enamel and de-
stroy the surface. Directions on the
label should be carefully followed.
I am often asked whether the blue
or greenish stain from faucet drip,
due to brass or copper tubing, lndl-
Gates that the water is not fit to
drink. There is no danger in drink
ing such water. for the metal that
it contains is not sufficient to cause
any anxiety. Of this l am assured |
by the Copper and Brass Research |
Association. 420 Lexington avenue, |
New York City. which is the author |
ity on the subject. This association |
can be referred to in case of appre |
hension.
Cleaning Wood Walls.
@. Inside walls of our summer |
home are made of beaded tongue
and-groove boards, running vertical |
". They have never been stained or |
vanished. They are beginning to
soil. How can they be cleaned to |
bring back their natural beauty?
A. Scrubbing with soap and water
should do the trick. Begin at the
bottom and work up. Do not start |
at the top and work down, for that
might cause streaks. After cleaning
and thorough drying you should mn
ish with shellac or varnlsh.
Metal for Flashings.
@. I need metal faShlngs along
nv ewes. Copper is too expensive Tor
me now Could I use zinc? How
would this work with copper cutters?
A. Copper and zinc should not be
used together, for the zinc would be
destroyed by electrical action, The
principal part of the cost Of the JOB
would be for labor, which would
nrobablv be considerably more than
the cost of the metals.
In comparison with the total cost
the difference in the prices OF the
two metals would be very little and
I strongly advise you to use copper
Kitchen Odors.
@ What can we use in our Kltchen
to prevent the odors OF cooking
csulifower. cabbage, onions, Brussels
sprouts, etc, from spreading all over
the house?
A. Put in a window ventllatlng |
fan. which will draw the air from
the kitchen and drive it outdoors. /
You can get these fans in the house
hold sections of department stores
and from dealers in electrical ap- I
planes
Painting FlowerpOts.
@. Can you tell me how to paint !
red clay floWerpots so that the paint
will not peel and blister off in a
few months?
A. Coat the inside Of each flower
pot with a good quality aluminium /
paint. When this paint has dried /
hard finish the outside with a good .
quality quick-drying enamel. The ,
foverpot will have to be clean and |
absolutely free of any moisture. or. .
otherwise, the paint will not adhere .
properly.
Storing Crib.
@. I am planning to store ChildS .
wood crib and mattress in my Gel /
lar. How should it be packed?
A. Do not store anything Of value |
In a cellar, for the inevitable damp
ness will make trouble. The mat
tress will mildew and the wood is
likely to swell and split. If the
cellar is the only place available,
wrap the wood parts and especially
the mattress in heavy waterproof
paper, with all the joints sealed.
Suspend these packages from the
ceiling beams Of the cellar, for there
the air is likely to be drier than it |
is in the lower parts of the cellar.
Even with those conditions, however,
there is risk of damage.
Paint Spotted Brick.
@. While painting the woodwork
of my house the brick wall was
spotted with paint. How can I clean
It?
A. Wet the paint spots with So !
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