FLOORS AND FIREPLACES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume LXI, Issue 3167, 15 June 1931, Page 7

FLOORS AND FIREPLACES.

Need More Care in Wet Weather. Rainy days bring their problems to the housewife, and she generally finds ber work is redoubled with the event of the cold, wet days. Cold days mean fires in the rooms, and, if one prefers the old-fashioned coal fire to the more modern gas and electric contrivances, one certainly pays for one's preference by having to deal with the extra dust and dirt created by the coal fire. Then wet days mean dirty floors! It is useless to lay papers about on the kitchen floor if you wish to preserve a cheerful and homelike atmosphere, and no woman who values the comfort of her men-folk will constantly keep admonishing them for their dirty shoes! Moreover, she*realises that no matter how often she reminds both men folk and children to wipe their muddy boots, they more often than not forget to do so. It is up to the housewife, therefore, to study anything which will lighten her duties, and if she does this she will speedily find that linoleum, when varnished, can be more easily kept clean. Before applying the coat of varnish, be sure that the linoleum Is absolutely free from dirt, first washing with lukewarm water and soap jelly, then rinsing and wiping each part thoroughly dry before proceeding to the next. It is not wise to flood the surface of the linoleum, as obviously this will not have a particularly beneficial effect on the fabric.

Apply the coat of varnish carefully, allowing the first coat to dry thoroughly before applying the second.

If reasonable care is taken the floor can be kept clean by frequent dusting with a clean dust mop. but when the surface has become stained with dirt or mud, a damp, soapy cloth will soon remove this.

As far as the fireplace is concerned, there is little question of dirt or untidiness where electric or gas heating apparatus- is used, but there are still t» large number of people who prefer the good oldfashioned coal fire, and certainly on these chilly nights nothing looks so cosy and homely as a cheerful fire.

A dirty fireplace, however, not onlr adds to the burden of the housewife, but is likely to make the fire more difficult to build. Like most other things it requires constant cleaning; the longer it is left the worse it becomes Dally attention is necessary for the fireplace If one is to get the maximum amount of heat, and also have a cheery-looking fireplace. All traces of the previous day's Are should be removed, and the grate and bars thoroughly cleaned; if this Is done frequently it is the work of a moment. Then if your fireside equipment, tongs, shovel, etc., are brass. these, too, should be cleaned frequent l> with a good metal polish.

The tiles surrounding the grate should be rubbed over with a damp cloth, while a coating of hot oil. carefully applied with' a clean paint brush, will give them an added glossy appear ance.