THE SPRING OVERHAUL

Evening Star, Issue 20862, 4 August 1931, Page 2

THE SPRING OVERHAUL

Renovating and Redecorating Work

Some Practical Suggestions for Home-lovers

In jucst households the problem of the annual overhaul, or spring clean, is now one of the chief topics of conversation. From all accounts it would appear tlmt the coming months are going to be busy ones for tradesmen generally. For the past twelve months now building and renovating schemes have been very few indeed, though main 1 of the architects in the city report that they have many clients who postponed operations till after the winter, it will he admitted that the past few months have been very depressing ones for all tradesmen and traders, but these have managed to survive, and arc now looking to tho future with justifiable optimism for a very busy year.

It is rightly maintained that tho building trade has been standing still so Tong now that a keen demand for new homes and building alterations will bo experienced in the very near future. Already many remodelling schemes are in hand in the commercial areas of tho city, and the planning of so many new shops would that leading business men are looking for the return of prosperous times. The present keen rivalry and competition have been responsible for greatly reduced building costs, but it is the general opinion in the trade that those prices, in view of the rush of spring work, will rise. It would appear, then, that those contemplating alterations or tho building of now dwellings should make no delay in placing their orders on the market.

The coming months arc generally chosen by most households for the annual overhaul, and are therefore regarded as “ black ’’ ones in the housewife’s year. Much of the discomfort and general upheaval associated with the yearly clean could bo avoided, however, if the work were carefully planned and organised beforehand, and, if necessary, a certain amount or labour-saving equipment were purchased. This article (prepared by 1). D. Cattington Taylor, in ‘ Good Housekeeping ’) gives the general method of procedure for the cleaning of a small house, briefly tabulating the directions as far as possible so that they may bo easily followed when the work is actually in progress. Before setting to work tho cleaning equipment, polishes, etc., should be inspected, and any deficiencies made up. Nothing can bo more annoying than to And tho next tool required is out of order or that there is insufficient furniture cream, abrasive cleaner, or other necessary tilings.

'should ho washed in warm, soapy water, adding a little soda to neutraliso the acidity. Tho articles should then be dried thoroughly, warmed, and polished in tho ordinary way. Bi ■ass and copper ornaments which are not handled extensively can be lacquered if desired. Tho advantage of treating in this way is that the surface is protected from tarnish and time is saved in cleaning. Before lacquering, articles should be polished well, and then tho preparation applied by means of a soft brush, care being taken that tbo atmosphere is dry and warm. It is important to avoid breathing on the work while it is in progress. Oxidised copper or lacquered brass curtain fittings should be freed from all dust and then rubbed over with a doth dipped in a little furniture cream. This will help to protect the surface from corrosion. TO CLEAN PAINT . White and pale-coloured paint should ho washed, using warm soapy water, afterwards rinsing with a cloth wrung out of fresh water and drying with a clean soft cloth. If tho paint is very soiled the cloth may bo rubbed with soap and dipped in a fine abrasive, such as whitening, or a little abrasive cleaner can bo used for any very obstinate marks. The last-mentioned should, however, bo used judiciously and enro taken only to rub lightly, otherwise the surface of tho paint is likely to bo impaired and become worn in the course of time. ■ Dark paint should also bo washed with warm soapy water. Careful rinsing is essential, and it is important to avoid using any cleaning powder,' as it is oftenvary difficult to remove it completely in the rinsing, white marks and smears appearing when the paint is dry. -After cleaning, dark painted and enamelled woodwork is improved considerably by applying a little furniture cream and rubbing up well with a soft cloth. LINOLEUM. A floor covered with good inlaid linoleum only requires to bo washed very occasionally, provided tbo wax polish is regularly applied, but at spring-cleaning time floors can with advantage bo scrubbed with soap and water, or, if necessary, with an abrasive powder for any particularly soiled parts. In the kitchen, rust marks are apt to appear in tbo vicinity of tho stove. These can be removed by sprinkling a , few crystals of oxalic acid immediately over the marks and then pouring boiling water on them. Oxalic acid being very poisonous, must be used and stored with groat care and all traces carefully rinsed away after use. AVhen tho linoleum is clean and dry any good make of wax polish can be applied. Tin mediately after washing, it is likely that tbo floor will absorb more polish than usual, but when too much is used tho floor is apt to become greasy and smeary in appearance, and show every footmark. WHITEWASHING. The cleaning and whitewashing of ceilings is quite within tbo scope of tbo amateur, but on account of the position of the worker tho work is decidedly more arduous than tho distempering or painting of walls. Those who are anxious to whitewash a coiling, however. may like to have brief directions for doing so;--1. Bemovo all whitewash and sizo by washing with water. A fibre brush is very useful for applying the liquid, and tbo surface should be well brushed in all directions. if. When tho whitewash appears to ho mom or less “ loosened ” is should bo wiped away with a soft cloth, rinsing this as required in a bucket containing fresh water. 3. When the coiling has boon washed as thoroughly as possible, any cracks should bo filled up, and, in order for the filling to bold satisfactorily, it is often necessary to enlarge them to a certain extent. This can bo done by means of a small triangular-shaped tool supplied for fhe purpose. A prepared cement is most convenient for amateurs when stopping boles mid cracks, and tic's should bo mixed with water until it is of tbo correct consistency. Tiio bole or crack should also bo moistened ami tho filling pressed well in, using an old knife if no special tool is available. Caro should bo taken that tho surface is as smooth and level as possible. 4. When all cracks have been filled np satisfactorily, dear-cole (which is essentially a, coating of size) should bo applied, us this prevents undue absorption of the whitewash or distemper. 5. After an interval of twelve hours or so the ceiling can he whitewashed, and as ibis dries comparatively rapidly tho work should, be started early iu the

If any decorating is to be undertaken at home, such as distempering, painting, or staining, care should bo taken to see that the necesary brushes are available as well as the particular paint or distemper required. If there should bo any holes or cracks in the plaster of the walls, ceiling, etc., some filler should bo obtained.

Before beginning spring - cleaning operations tho main menus for tho period of tho cleaning should be arranged as far as possible and care taken that tho foods to bo served are those requiring as little preparation as possible. It is also helpful to make a plan if work for each maid or member of the household assisting in tho cleaning. GENERAL METHOD OF PROCEDURE. 1. If there are any chimneys to be iwept arrange for tho sweep to call early in the morning or the night before the room is to bo spring-cleaned. Before ho comes the carpets, rugs, and as much of the furniture as possible should be removed from the room and the remainder covered with dust sheets. 2. Clean the top floor of'tho bouse first and gradually work downwards, finishing with tho kitchen. 3. When possible dismantle, clean, and complete one room at a time. GENERAL METHOD FOR EACH ROOM. 1. If a vacuum cleaner is available clean carpets, rugs, upholstery, curtains, etc., before removing from tho room. It might be remarked hero that it is often possible to biro a cleaner lor a small sum. If no cleaner is in use the carpets,-etc., must cither bo beaten in -lie garden or sent away to bo cleaned. 2. "Take down and dust the pictures, • ftorwards stacking them up neatly out;de the room. 3. Remove all china and glass ornaments, lighting fittings, etc., and take them to tho kitchen or scullery to bo washed. All brass and silver ornaments should also bo removed for cleaning, directions for which are given later in ibis-article. 4. Remove as much ns possible of the fighter furniture and place in the adjoining room or landing. 5. Clean the stove ami hearth.

G. Clean the wails and ceiling, using tho attachment of a vacuum cleaner if available, or if not, with a soit, clean brush covered with an old towel or clean duster.

7. Wash tho paint. 8. Clean tho Homs. If they iiro of bare boards, or linoleum, scrub with hot soapy water containing a little disinfectant. 1). Clean the windows mid open wide to air the room and dry the boards. 10. Polish mirrors, clean picture glasses, and polish frames. 11. Polish tho floor surrounds or tho entire floor if it is of pnraqncb or linoleum. If tho floor has been scrubbed, wait until it is quite dry and then replace tho cleaned carpet and other articles of furniture, including the pictures, etc. Polished furniture should have been previously cleansed by washing with warm soapy water, or, if necessary, with a cloth dinned in turpentine, and then polished with furniture cream.

TO CLEAN BRASS AND COPPER. If tlio various brass ornaments have been regularly polished and are in pood condition, nil ilio treatment required will bo to apply a good metal polish, afterwards rubbing up well. 11. however, any have been very much neglected, more drastic treatment way ho required. Tarnish can Ik; most casilv removed by treating with a weak' acid solution. Dilutee! hydrochloric acid or spirits of salt is excellent: lor the purpose, and should be applied by means of an old rag. 'When all traces ol tarnish been removed, the article

morning or at somoother time when it can bo completed without interruption. A good bristle brush should bo used, and care taken not to dip it too far in the distemper. G. It is well to commence the work in a corner near the window, moving gradually, patch by patch, to the other end of the room. 7. Tho whitewash should bo applied by brushing in all directions, but tho brush should bo finally drawn towards the light, as marks will be less noticeable than if applied parallel to the window. 8. The whitewash should bo stirred at intervals, as otherwise the consistency will tend to become thicker as tho work continues. DISTEMPERING. Distemper can bo applied either to plaster or papered walls, but caro should ho taken if the walls have previously been covered with a dark - coloured paper, particularly when tho colours aro not fast, to strip tho paper first. As when whitewashing a ceiling, the walls require to bo washed well first, and then all holes stopped. If tho wall has previously _ been papered and it is in good condition, a coat of size should bo applied before tho distemper, or if oil paint is to be used, a coat of special priming. When tho walls arc dry and all preparatory work has bee:' completed the distemper should be applied, using a good bristle brush. It is a mistake to use a cheap tool, as this invariably sheds its bristles and does not give a good finish. _ . When distempering one should begin at the top of tho wall away from the window, gradually working towards the light. It is important to avoid rapid drying, as otherwise the edges of the patches treated aro likely th ho evident afterwards, and consequently windows and doors should bo closed while the work is in progress. EQUIPMENT FOR SPRING CLEANING. Vacuum cleaner if possible, electric or weighted polisher, long-handled scrubber (such ns can bo obtained for about 2s), brushes, dusting mops, bucket, enamel bowls, papier macho or wooden bowl for washing delicate china and glass, kneeling mat, good stock of dusters, one or two leathers, dust sheets, floor cloths, soap and soda, furniture polish, wax floor polish, metal polish or special polishing cloths or wool, silver polish, whiting, abrasive cleaner (to bo used judiciously), emery paper, fino steel wool, oxalic acid (for removing rust and ink stains), hydrochloric acid (for removing cement marks from tiles or for cleaning sinks or brass), turpentine, linseed oil for exposed or stained woodwork, good carbolic disinfectant, and a generous supply of hot water.