Evening star., 1943-03-22
HOmemakers' Headaches
Lyc Solution Spilled Linolcum Cannot Be Reno> ed
But Marks Nav Be Touched r. With Natchino Pain,

Dear Miss Novel;. My kitchen
floor is covered with inIaid linoleum
While l was Ill, the hOuSckeeper
In attempting to clean the kitchen
drain with lye stopped it up COM
plcteIy The plumber who answered
the emergency call opened the drain
and drew off the I've into d bucket.
Wherever he set the bucket Oh the
kitchen floor there is a deep ring
which I presume was made by the
I've solution II has been scrubbed
and cleaned, but the marks still re-
main as they appear to have eaten
into the surface Of the llnoleum
Then. too, the llnOleum is dark
where it IS walked on but bright
under the stove where II gets little
wear. Can YOU tell me if there Is
any way to brighten up the lmOleum
and keep it that way. and any way
to remove those rings caused by
the lyc? j. BF.
AnSWcr-There Is no way that the
circles may be removed. as the I've
has destroyed the surface Of the
less noticeable By filing in the
surface with paint which matches
the lln0leum For this use a good
floor and deck enamel and mix the
color to blend with the surface.
Probably securing powder has
been used on the llnOlcum to clean
it. This leaves the surface porous.
and dirt grindS in. Use soap and
water and q scrub brush now ard
give the floor a good cleaning Then
wax it and keep it WaXed. This will
prevent any further discoloratiOn.
Jinoleum manufacturers say that
strong soap and securing powder do
more damage to the surface Of limo
leum than any amount OF wear.
They recommend waxing daily, for
cleaning as we'll as preservation
purposes, and to avoid the use of
soap and water.
Dear Miss Nowcll-I have two
brown bearskin rugs. Can YOU tell
me how to clean them? I would
like to have it done at home if
possible. Also, what can be done
about a painted drain board in a
kitchen? Keeping a painted drain
board looking we'll takes special at
tention. This house Is to be rented
and We fear that tenants will not
take this trouble. Is there any
thing which may be placed over
the boards that would be easy to
keep clean? A. M. r,
AnSWer-H YOU value your bear
skin rugs I think YOU would be wise
to have them professionally cleaned.
They could not be handled as rugs,
but must be cleaned as fms are
cleaned. These are usually put in
large drums with sawdust and other
preparations and rotated, aired,
brushed and then "saWdusted"
again. This is particular treatment
that would be almost impossible to
handle at home. ANY cleaning
agent such as those used on rugs,
or upholstery would harden the
skins and probably ruin your rugs.
There are several surfaces which
you may install on the kitchen
drainbOards. Llnoleum Is always
satisfactory, or colored surfaced
pressed" boards may be purchased
from building supply houses in
town, and once properly installed
are good for many years hard use.
Or you may remove the paint with
VarniSn remover. sand the drain
board down to a new surface and
then keep it scrubbed with scou-
ing powder to make ii look clean.
7 believe the first two suggestions
would. however, guarantee the best
and most permanent results.
Dear Miss NoWell--I have cream
lace curtains modern reproductions
of old Brussels lace IN bedroom
and have used another pair of these
to drape a dressing table I have
washed them several times, but
have difficulties ironing them. l like