Evening star., 1942-04-18
First Aid
For the
Aiing House
BY ROGER n. WHITMAN

not understand this for I have
treated other furniture the same
way.
A. In the first place. new furni-
tsire does not require waxing. or
any other kind Of polish. The
finish should still be in excellent
condition. and you can keep # so
by frequent rubbing with soft
cheesecloth Wax or furniture
polish should not be used until the
original finish begins 70 go dull
On top OF that. YOU may also have
used too much wax. In any case.
you can take of the wax by wiping
with a cloth damp with turpentine
Then. after drying, polish with a
clean cloth.
Black Marks on Iinoleum.
@. Why do modernistic chairs
leave black marks on linoleum?
What can be done about it7
A. take 1t that the marks are
made by the metal supports OF the
chairs. Keep these metal parts
from coming into contact with the
linoleum by wrapping them with
time 10 time 1t will be necessary
TO renew the tape
Worn Step.
@. The stone step leading from
my kitchen TO the back porch is
worn down SO much in the center
that wind blows through under the
storm door. How can this step be
leveled2
A. One remedy is TO level the
worn part of the step by cutting
into Il with a cold chisel. The
cut out place can then be filled with
a mixture OF part portland cement
and part of clean building sand.
The mixture should have only
enough water to be workable. and
the stone should be soaked with
water at the time the patch is
put In. As soon as the patch
hardens. 1t should be sprinkled with
water and kept wet for four or five
days. 50 that the cement will have
ample time TO cure. In making the
cut the edges should be ''undeCut'
so that in drying, the patch will
lock itself into place.
Leaking Flat Roof.
@. The fat roof OF an extension is
built Of roofing paper and the sup
ports seem solid and level. But
there is a depression in the center
of an area . feet across, where water
collects. Could false roof be put
on. or should the present roof be
renewed2
A. The depression can be filled up
and given sufficient slant for drain
age. Consult reliable roofing con-
tractor.
Cellar Storage.
O. My cottage is lacking in closet
space. In the cellar is large
wooden closet which is fine in winter
for storing clothes, but in summer
clothing hung there becomes damp
and moldy. Is there something l
can put in the cellar or closet after
the furnace fire is out to counteract
this dampness?
A. A cellar Is a very poor place to
store anything Of value in the way
of furniture. clothing. books, etc.
II 1t Is possible TO store your cloth
ing somewhere upstairs, that would
be a great Improvement over the
cellar However. If this cannot be
arranged for, you might dry out
the closet to some extent by the
continued burning OF an electric
bulb in a lampstand placed on the
floor. out OF contact with the cloth
ing. The use of ca4cium chloride.
placed In a wire basket supported
over a pail. would also help to draw
moisture out Of the air.
Ink Spots.
@. Could YOU tell me anything
that would remove ink spots on
upholstery?
A. Stains on upholstery are best
taken out by professional work. A
home owner is apt to bleach out the
stained area. or else make streaks
that are almost impossible to remove
afterward, However, II you wish
to take chance, YOU might try
sopping with skim milk. using plenty
of clean cloths. If there is a trace
OF grease left from the milk, this
will have to be taken out with a
spot removing liquid. Remember,
some ink is indelible, and nothing
will take 1t @out, There are also
special products sold at drug stores
intended for the removal of various
types Of stains.
Grease on Wallpaper.
@. Please tell me what to use to
clean wallpaper of oil stains, caused
by range oil from a man rubbing
against the paper.
A. Make a paste of fuller'S earth.
powdered chalk or something SINH
lar, and a non-lnflammable spot
removing liquid Spread this on
the stain about Inch thick and
allow to remain until dry Repeat
If necessary. and brush of. If the
wallpaper is old, this may leave a
cleaned area that will be noticeable.
In this case go over the surround
ing paper with substance called
wallpaper cleaner. If YOU have any
matching paper in the house you
could have your paperhanger make
neat patch that will not show.
Dried-Up Wax.
G have some floor wax that I
have not used which has dried in
side the container so that 1t is pow
dered What liquid could ! use TO
hold 1t together?
A. Pour turpentine into the con-
talner and mix with the wax
Random Width Flooring.
Q. nave recently rebuilt an old
"salt box" house and used random
width oak flooring. l would like
your recommendation on the best
and most permanent finish for