The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-03-28
@a1ESiI;ai IS
by Roger B. Whitman
90 Roger b. whitman-wNU service.)

De-
Shrunken Blankets.
n UESTION: A pair Of all-wool
" blankets has become very hard
and stiff after washing. How can re-
store their Asoftness? I wish to do
the job myself. d
Answer: Fill your bathtub with
tepid water, dissolve half package
Of soap flakes completely, and soak
the blankets. Do not rinse; leave
the soap in the wool. Wiring light
ly, hang over line, and with some
one to help you, pull and stretch the
blankets as they are drying. Do not
subject the blankets to any great
change of temperature, either of air
or water.
Painting a Floor.
Question: Printed linoleum in my
kitchen is so worn that I want to
remove it, but must wait for about
two years before laying new limo
leum. In the meantime, what will
be the most practical finish for the
wood floor?
Answer: If your printed linoleum
is not worn through, it can be paint
ed with floor enamel, after thorough
washing and then wiping with tur-
pentine to remove all traces of
grease and wax. If you must paint
the wood floor, it should first be
smoothed with sandpapering ma
chine to take of all splintering par
ticles and roughness, and to give q
smooth surface. You can then use
any good quality floor paint or floor
enamel. Waxing will not be neces-
sary.
Musty Odor.
Question: OF late there has been
a moldy, musty smell from my
floors. At first, ! thought it was the
rug, but investigation proved it to
be coming from the floor. The odor
is always presents MT in damp
weather it is twice as bad. How
can get rid of 1t?
Answer: A musty odor indicates
rotting wood. It may be that the
supports of the floor are in contact
with the earth, or water may be get
ting into your wall from leaks in the
wall or roof, or from a plumbing
pipe. Whatever the cause, rotting
il going on, and there will be
eventual trouble if you do not correct
the condition.
House Appraisal.
Question: am considering the
purchase Of q small, 10-year-old
house, which to my inexperienced
eye looks in good condition. But !
should like the benefit Of expert ad-
vice. Could rely on the loan COM
pany's valuation, which win be
made by the bank, as a fair esti-
mate of the condition Of the house?
Otherwise, how could 60 about get
ting reliable inspection and opinion
Of the property?
Answer: A banks appraisal Of the
condition Of building is usually
quite accurate. However, If you
wish to check on the banks findings,
you could have a competent archi-
tect or builder make an inspection
and give an opinion.
Painting Stained Shingles.
Question: We have Dutch colo
NAL house; the upper part Is dark
brown shingles, the lower part being
painted a cream color. We would
like to paint the house a cream color
all over. Is it possible to paint over
dark stained shingles? Would one
coat Of aluminium paint over the
1&rrxxyv. ha so%scfon%owx, hafn~n yxs,f
ting on light color?
Answer: If the stain on the shin
giles is comparatively new; that Ii,
less than year old, It Is advisable
to wipe with turpentine. Otherwise,
one coat of good aluminium paint, APP
piled uniformly, viii seal the stain
and viii make good printing coat
for the paint to follow.
Painting Metal Animal.
Question: ] have q plated metal
animal IA by inches; silver plated
on copper. ! wish to paint it. How
should / prepare the surface for o
fiat paint?
Answer: Roughen the surface Of
the metal by rubbing with sand
paper. Follow by wiping with ben
zine, being very careful of fire when
doing so. Put on house paint in thin
coats, and allow plenty of time for
drying between coats.
Stair Creaks.
Creaking in stairs is from the
springing up Of the treads over the
risers; it occurs when a weight
presses the tread back into place.
The tread can be secured with long
finishing nails, driven through 1t and
into the edge Of the riser under
meath. Nails should be driven in
pairs and at opposite angles. Sink
the head below the surface with
nailset and fill the holes with wood
putty.
Water Supply Tank.
Question: In putting in an cleo.
trio pump water outfit, would you
prefer small supply tank, or a
large one?
Answer: / should use q large