SPRING CLEANING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 7 November 1925, Page 19

SPRING CLEANING.

The annual “spring clean’’ provides an opportunity for tne Jiousewife to show her organising capacity—fo, r unless it is planned and carried out in a businesslike way it usually resolves ltse'f into a hopeless muddle. It is possible that in years to come spring cleaning mat' be a tradition of the past, for the more general introduction of electric cleaners and other labour-saving devices in the home will do away almost entirely with the accumulation of dust and dirt. However, this ideal state of affairs has not yet arrived, except in isolated eases, and so it is that the problem of spring cleaning organisation has to be faced. ' First and foremost, of course, the chimneys must be swept, and therefore, if possible, it is wise to wait until the fires are practically over before starting the annual turn-out. Carpets should be taken up, beaten ancl cleaned if necessary. Water in which ivy leaves have been boi'ed is excellent for this. Floor-hoard s need repolishing and probably revarnishing. Curtains should lie cleaned or washed, the winter ones carefullly put away and replaced by spring hangings. A'l paint work should be washed with hot water ana soap — but no soda must be used. It -is a good idea to make this the occasion for touching up enamel or paint where necessary. One housewife at this time relacquers all the- brass work in her flat, including the brass taps, and these remain untarnished for several months. During spring cleaning ordinary routine work should be simplified as much as possible, and the family should take their meals away from home as often ns they can. If the domestic upheaval i s we'l organised it should he more or less of an enjoyable affair and the freshness and bright atmosphere it brings into the home are a fitting welcome to spring sunshine.