THE CARE OF BEDS AND BEDDING,

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 46, 18 November 1907, Page 3

THE CARE OF BEDS AND BEDDING,

It is extraordinary, when one considers how great a slice of the life of even the healthiest of us is spent in bed, that not more caro and consideration should be accorded to both beds and bedding. Manv people would flout this idea in these enlightened days of hygiene, yet, nevertheless, it is a fact that few people consider the necessity of having mattresses, etc., cleaned and re-made every year, whilst abroad it is considered indispensable. In most cases it is advisable to have iron or brass bedsteads, as they aro undoubtedly easier to keep in thoroughly good order, though, with care, wooden bedsteads can be kept just as well, but they involve rather more trouble. Where the laths cross one another they must bo kept scrupulously clean and free from dust, anil washed over occasionally with paraffin, whilst at least once a week tho mattresses should be well dusted and brushed, more particularly wherever there is a button, and along tho edges. A very good idea is to have holland covers for tho mattress, which slip on and button, as these can boi changed as often as one likos, and easily washed. A great saving of the life of a mattress, too, is to cover the laths or wire mattress with Hessian, as this prevents the metal cutting into the mattress, or causing ironmould, as is sometimes tho case. If it is possible to attend to the mattress at home, the ticking should bo, unpicked, tho flock or feathers carefully inspected and picked over thoroughly, and then left exposed to the sun and air for twenty-four hours at least; .or, if this is not possible, the process can be carried out in an. empty dry room in which there is a good fire, only taking caro to see that this is carefully screened to prevent any, risks of anything-catching firo, and leaving, the mattress to air and dry thoroughly. If, however, there is the slightest suspicion of moth, the mattresses should bo sent straight to'an upholsterer and thoroughly cleaned and renewed, as in this caso they will require baking. A. great deal, too, • would bo done if the bedding could bo simply ■carried out at fairly frequent intervals oil bright/ sunny days, 'and thoroughly well aired. ' '■ • .

Then, too,'there are tho blankots. In many households those do not rcceivo the proper attention they should, as people are often afraid of sending.thorn to the laundry for fear of spoiling them; but really they should be washed at least twice, or even three times, a year. When these are washed at homo it must be remembered they should not bo rubbed much with the hands, and for this reason an article called a "dollv" is most useful, as with this tho blanket can bo shaken and worked about in the tub. No soda should bo added to the water, which should be lukewarm; but a lather made with soap, to which a little ammonia has been added. Wring the blankots as dry as pos.siblo. through a-wringer, shako , them out well, and repeat tho process until they aro quite clean; thon pull them into shapo'without. rinsing them, and hang them out in tho sun, as this improves their colour. In the intervals when they are not washed they should be well shaken in tho open air, and left hanging up for a little. When stored, after washing, they should be folded carefully, sprinkled with camphor, or bitter apple, etc., sown up in an old sheet, or else carefully packed in brown paper, the edges being securely pasted down, to prevent any risk of moths, and put away in boxes, preferably camphor-lined ones, but these are rather a luxury.'. Where tho smell of paraffin is objected to, the bedsteads can be rubbed over with benzine cbllas, as it evaporates almost immediately, and does not corrode, besides being one of the best methods of cleaning iron. All valances and hangings aro sure to harbour dust, and for this reason should bo made of. washing material, which can be easily replaced every now and then.