SPRING-CLEANING SIDELIGHTS

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31154, 2 September 1966, Page 2

SPRING-CLEANING SIDELIGHTS

Spring is still the traditional time for vigorous indoor cleaning and dozens of Christchurch women are finding their scrubbing, sweeping and washing services—often taken for granted by their families — have a profitable market outside their homes.

A Christchurch commercial cleaning firm established a home springcleaning service about six years ago. At first housewives were dubious about allowing outsiders to do their cleaning, but the service has gained popularity and there is now’ a long waiting list.

The demand is so great that; this firm constantly seeks more workers. Women from all walks of life accept the challenge prompted, perhaps, by the salary offered for chores which are almost second nature. When spring sunshine lights on winter grime, the wise or otherwise occupied housewife telephones for the services of the firm’s supervisors, who will call and give a free quote. After that a woman's worries are expertly taken care of. Chimney sweeping is arranged: a team of four then moves in for a top-to-bottom clean-up. This includes a thnrn»" , i

“going over” for ornaments, pictures. walls, windows, drapes, furniture, paintwork, floors and ovens. Average Quote All equipment is supplied. An average quote for spring I cleaning a three-bedroomed bungalow is £25. It seems 1 the housewife’s spring-clean-ing efforts are worth a new summer outfit. From this month until Christmas the rush is on—some men will see less of their wives, and a few women less of their husbands, for men are emoloved by the firm to do the heavy work. For those families who cannot afford the “easy life” the Exhibition Centre staff 'have many recommendations for making spring cleaning easier.

i Prevention is better than j cure, thev maintain. “I’m for . keeping the dust and dirt out . rather than picking it tin once it gets in,” says Mr T. McMullen, general manager and technical adviser. Mr McMullen has many hints particularly applicable to home builders and renovators. Central heating, while one of the most expensive innovations, is undoubtedly a labour-saving device Oil As Fuel An oil-fuel plant can be installed for upwards Of £5OO to provide cheap heat—2ss to 30s a week—and to do away with soot, smoke and fumes. Silcone-imnregnated wool strips, inserted in an aluminium channel, can be fitted in door and window frames to ensure complete sealing. Narrow plastic strips, made in striking colours, form flyproof screens. Dispensing with the flowerbeds under the window would save elbow grease in the long run. Lawn or concrete paths are more effective as dust barriers. In the shrewdly-appointed bungalows of suburbia it is possible to dispense

rubbing and scrubbing altogether. A quick wipe is all the new laminated wall surfaces and plastic-coated floors require.

Polyurethane liquid cleaners give a flexible, non-slip I gloss which lasts for up to i four years. The patter of | tiny feet is usually accom- ; panied by sticky little fingers i which leave their mark on expensive wallpaper. A coating of vinyl-matt or gloss finishmakes any paper washable. Mould and mildew seem to nlague many Christchurch homemakers, but now there is protection in a pot of paint. This mould-proof product has been on the market for only a few months, but i has proved popular. While Venetians can be sent out to commercial cleaners. rattan blinds and curtains and acrylic finished linen blinds—available in attractive textures and colours—are almost maintenance free. No Bending Back-breaking bending and Hring stretching can also be a thing of the past. Brushes ■»re available for all manner of chores. Brush merchants find their cobweb brush, a 'ong-handled bristle brush r or wallpaper, is a best seller from August to January.

So. even if you are a “help'ess wife or a hopeless husband” there is some way of getting around the spring cleaning problem.