Evening star., 1941-02-21

AnSwer-The damp air of a Y
mildew form even on things that are
thoroughly ventilated. The fact that
your rug and rug cushion had no op-
portunity for the air to circulate be-
tween or in back of them for several
years is reason enough for the mold
on the floor. 1t is most unusual that
the rug and cushion did not rot out.
II your floor is deeply SCARED it may
have to be refinished. If not, rub
oing with fine steel wool and gasoline
with all the doors and windows open,
and then waxing may make it look
well. I would suggest that you store
your rug and rug cushion this year
and use summer rug or plan to take
it up at, least once a month during
the hot weather for a summing and
airing. I don't think this moisture
comes from the basement. I think
it is dampness which was absorbed
by the fabric during the ''muggy'
months, and your floor is probably
perfectly safe underneath. If the
moisture was coming from the base
ment, you would notice it on the
under side of the floor.
DEAR MISS NOVEL;:
I am undecided whether to have
Venetian blinds in my house be-
cause I have heard they are diff
cult to clean. Are there any new
methods of cleaning them, and are
there any points in favor of metal
ones over the usual wood type?
ANN S.
Answer-There are brushes with
fingers" that slip in between the
Stats which do very nicely for the
daily dusting. The small attach
ments on the vacuum cleaner are
ideal for this, too. Occasionally
however, the blinds must be
scrubbed because of the film which
is a combination Of moisture and
dust and especially noticeable this
time of year. When that time
comes, it is nice to have the type
with removable Stats so that each
one comes out, is laid fiat on the
kitchen table, scrubbed and re-
turned to its place. I know one
person who cleans her metal blinds
successfully by dipping them up and
down in the bathtub full of warm,
sudsy water. She turns the shower
on to rinse them and hangs them
up at the window to dry. The
paint cleaner that comes in cans
is a big help, too. Venetian blinds
still have to be kept clean, so 1t
is really a case of deciding whether
YOU would rather wash the blinds
or iron the ruffes on curtains.
DEAR MISS NOVEL;:
am undecided about wall paper
for the first floor of my house.
The house is not large and living
room and dining room open of a
center hall and are visible from
each other. I do not think 7 want
all the rooms done alike, nor do
I want three different papers. Will
you give me an idea how I could
vary the effect without cutting the
rooms up with different designs?
F. S. A.
Answer-A safe procedure is TO
do the hall and living room alike
in a paper that gives an expansive
feeling. Use either white wood
work or a lighter shade of the wall
paper color and carry that through
out the hall and two rooms. A nice
variation in the dining room IS TO
use small patterned paper above
a chair rail with plain dado below,
This ties the whole floor together,
and gives extra interest IN the
dining room where an interesting
wall is important. A selection of
two papers that go we'll together
will give you the effect you want.
DEAR MISS NOVEL;:
I saw a lovely piece of percale in
a color and pattern which I want 70
use in my baby daughters room. I
want to use it on walls and for bed
cover. Will this go on the wall just
like wallpaper, and does this seem
like a reasonable plan?
H. J. K.
AnsWer-It is more difficult to put
on the walls than wallpaper. SO it
would be wise to get a workman
who has had experience with fabric
wall coverings. Aside from that it
ought to make most attractive
room, especially if you combine it
with ruff1ed organdie curtains and
white ruff1es under the bedspread.
DEAR MISS NOVEL;:
What do you consider the most
durable and washable material for
slip covers and tailored couch cover
in a 10-year-old boys room?
K. J.
AnsWer-Denim or seersucker.
The first is easy to wash and will
stand all kinds of hard wear, and
the second does all of this. and also
can take the wrinkles nicely, as it
was made that way.
Address queries on home deco
ration and similar problems to
Margaret NOVEL;, in care of The
Evening Star. For personal re-
plies, include a stamped, self
addressed envelope. Other ques-
tions will be answered In the
column as quickly as space per-
mitS.
Ny Neighbor Soys:
II VOL want only a few drnns