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Classic
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page 336
spot of dust is too firmly fixed, wash in lukewarm soap-suds, and immediately
rub dry with chamois-skin. If there is open-work carving, draw the cloth
through, or dust with a paint-brush; and it will be found more convenient to
blow out some of the places which are difficult to reach, for which purpose a
small pair of bellows may be used. To clean and dust a piano, use half a yard
best canton-flannel with a nap free from all specks and grit, brushing lightly
over to remove the dust; if there are finger-marks or spots, rub up and down
over them, always keeping the nap next to the instrument. Dust under the wires
may be blown out with a pair of bellows. Keep the piano closed at night and in
damp weather; open on bright days, and if possible let the sun shine directly
upon the keys, as the light will keep them from turning yellow. Tune every
spring and fall. As a last finishing touch to the rearranging of the parlor,
leave late papers, magazines, a volume of poetry, or a stereoscope and views,
where they will be readily picked up by callers.
THE SITTING ROOM.
The sitting-room should be the pleasantest, because most used, of all in the
house. Do not put down a Brussels carpet here, because it is too hard to sweep
and holds too much dust. To prevent moths under the carpets, grind black pepper
coarsely, mix with camphor-gum, and strew thickly about the edges and wherever
they are to be found. To clean the oil-cloth, use warm water without soap, or
what is much better, milk and water. By keeping mats at the doors it will only
be necessary to sweep the sitting-room thoroughly once a week, but occasionally
when very dusty it may be cleaned by setting a pail of cold water by the door,
wet the broom in it, knock off the drops, sweep a yard or so, then wash the
broom as before and sweep again, being careful to shake all the drops off the
broom, and not to sweep far at a time. If done with care the carpet will be very
nicely cleaned, and the quantity of dirt in the water will be surprising. The
water must be changed several times. Snow sprinkled on and swept off before it
has had time to melt, is also nice for renovating a soiled carpet. A scrap bag
hung on the end of the sewing machine, for storing all bits of cloth and
ravelings, and ends of thread, will save much sweeping. In summer, wire doors
and mosquito-nettings in the windows will keep flies out, and at the same time
admit the air. Washing windows and wiping off doors once a week after sweeping,
keeps all tidy. To remove finger-marks, which are constantly appearing on doors
about the knobs, use a damp cloth as soon as they are observed.
THE BED-ROOM.
The family bed-room should be on the first floor if possible, if the house is
properly built and there is no dampness. Matting is better for the floor
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