CARE OF CARPETS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19918, 11 April 1928, Page 5

CARE OF CARPETS.

HOW TO LENGTHEN LIFE. With a little care carpets can be made to last twice as long as they usually do, while old carpets carl be improved so that if they do not look as good as new, they are at least a considerable improvement on what they have been. A simple way of repairing a hole in a carpet is to cut up an old piece slightly larger than the hole, and as much like the original pattern as possible, states an exchange. Fray out the edges a little, and then, with some strong fflue, fix the piece of carpet on to brown paper, smoothing it well down and allowing the glue to dry. Then push the paper with the carpet on it under the main floor covering so that the hole Is filled with the patch. Round the edge of the opening the carpet will be somewhat thin, but this can be fastened down with a little glue or a couple of tacks. Ordinary marks can be removed from carpets by means of hot water and a sponge or cloth, while stains due to oil or grease will yield to rubbing with a clean' cloth soaked with benzol or petrol. When a carpet requires washing have ready £lb. of borax, a pail of hot water and one of cold water, some carpet soap, a small hard scrubbing brush, an old sponge and llarge dry cloths. Wring the sponge out in warm water and wash a portion of the carpet, about tfft. square. Sprinkle this patch with dry borax, using an old flour dredger; then dip the scrubbing brush first in hot water and afterwards in the soft soap. Lather up the square of carpet, and as the latter gets black sponge it up in the pail containing hot water. When the carpet is clean, rub it with sponge wrung out in cold water, dry it with one of the cloths, and then begin' on another patch.

If the carpet is faded, put a teacupful of vinegar in the pail of hot water. A dash of phenyle in the water will also help to bring the colour up and give a nice, fresh smell.' in case of * obstinate grease marks, remove them before washing the carpet or by applying some paste made with equal parts of magnesia, fuller's earth and cold water. Leave this mixture on overnight, and brush it off in the morning.