THE HOME AND THE HOUSEHOLD. 979 



House-Cleaning, etc. In the general care of the house, as well as in the semi-annual 

 house-cleanings, much unnecessary labor and confusion may be avoided by observing system 

 in performing the work, with regular times for doing it. If it be sweeping sweep, dust, and 

 arrange one room before removing the furniture from another for the purpose. The same 

 rule would save much confusion in house-cleaning, except in case of whitewashing and 

 painting; the carpets may have to be left up about the house, but whenever it is possible, 

 clean and put in order one room before commencing another. This is much better than 

 enduring universal chaos and disorder in a house for a whole month, as is frequently the case 

 in some families each spring and autumn, at the regular recurring house-cleaning periods. 

 Commence at the uppermost room, thoroughly cleaning one room at a time until the cellar 

 is reached. Remove to another room all the furniture, as far as practicable; take down the 

 pictures and carefully wipe the dust from them with a soft cloth, and convey to a safe place, 

 leaning the faces against the wall for protection. Take down the curtains and lambrequins; 

 hang the latter on a line and dust with a broom brush. Take up the carpet carefully and 

 have it properly dusted. Don t permit it to be beaten with a thick, blunt stick, as this will 

 be sure to break holes in it, and cut the stitches. Supple whips, or slender, fresh-cut 

 switches are best for this purpose. Bits of damp paper, tea-grounds, or damp salt sprinkled 

 over the floor before sweeping up the dust, will preveftt its filling the air of the room. 

 Sweep the dust up clean, then remove the remainder with a damp mop; there is no 

 necessity of saturating the floor with water; wring the mop out frequently in clean water and 

 wipe it over carefully. 



Wipe the walls from top to bottom with a clean white cloth, making the strokes from 

 the top to the bottom, changing the cloth often to prevent soiling. When the paper is gilded, 

 or very delicate, it may be well to use a soft brush, or a cloth wrapped over a whisk brush or 

 a common broom. Wash the paint in warm water, without soap unless very much soiled. 

 For white paint, one-fourth skim milk with the water will make it look new and fresh. 

 Hard soap is best when it must be used; soap will have a tendency to remove the paint, and 

 whenever used the surface should be quickly rinsed with clear water and wiped dry. 

 Common whiting or a little knife brick will aid in removing soiled spots. A little ammonia 

 in the water is excellent for removing finger marks. Never wash varnished surfaces with 

 soapy water. Powdered borax will make old yellow paint look white and fresh. To clean 

 black walnut, wash off in clear water, rub dry, and then apply a little linseed oil on cotton 

 and rub thoroughly, afterwards rubbing with dry soft cotton. Light woods, such as white 

 ash or oak, require nothing but clear cold water and a soft cloth, afterwards polishing off 

 with old soft flannel. 



Windows should be washed with suds and rinsed with clear water if much soiled; if not, 

 clear water will answer the purpose. Then quickly wipe dry with a linen cloth, and polish 

 off with a piece of newspaper. The blinds should also be taken off and washed, or 

 thoroughly dusted, or the first rain will be liable to wash the dirt from them on to the 

 windows. If the carpet contains grease spots, remove them with benzine. In putting down 

 carpets a wadded paper lining is a great saving and will last many years. If moths are 

 troublesome, dust Pyrethrum powder around under the outer edges of the carpet. Carefully 

 dust all the furniture, books, etc., before returning them to their proper places. A soft 

 cloth duster is more serviceable than any other for wood work or books. When papering is 

 to be done, always remove all the old paper before applying the new. A good step ladder is 

 very essential in every house, especially in house-cleaning. In sweeping a room, remove all 

 the chairs; and cover the sofa, table, and other articles of furniture that remain with 

 something to keep off the dust. After the dust has had time to settle, dust carefully, not 

 forgetting the rounds of the chair, and all the little nooks and corners in furniture where it 

 will be sure to find entrance. In sweeping sleeping rooms, first make up the bed as usual, 

 and cover the bed with a soiled sheet until after the dust from sweeping has well settled. 



Glossy Starch. Shirt bosoms, collars, and cuffs can be made to look glossy by the 

 following method: Take two ounces of white gum arabic, and pour on it a pint of water, 

 covering it to keep out the dust, and let it stand over night. In the morning strain it care 

 fully from all sediment, put it in a clean bottle, and cork it up for future use. One table- 

 spoonful of this water to a pint of starch, and a piece of white wax about the size of a small 

 chestnut melted in the starch, will give a fine gloss when the polishing iron is thoroughly 

 used. 



Ironing. &quot; The secret of nice ironing is a clean, hot flat-iron, clean ironing cloths, and 

 well-folded clothes. In ironing a shirt, begin at the binding of the neck; then fold the back 

 VOL. II. 54 



