RENOVATING THE HOME.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 188, 14 September 1914, Page 4

RENOVATING THE HOME.

Although the annual turn-out of the house, which used to be at one time carefully observed every apring, has practically been abolished, there is no doubt that a general overlooking is desirable and necessary. The passing of the cold days of "winter and the stoppage of fires invites some renovation, especially in the living and bed rooms. As regards the latter, it is as well to take one at a time, and remove everything out of them except the bed and wardrobe. If there be any ceiling coves, these require [ thorough sweeping, which can be very I well done , with either a Turk 's-liead ! broom, a good bunch of dusters fastened to the top of a clothe3-prop, or a garden rake covered with plenty of old elean rags, which makes a capital sweeper. The coves can be easily reached from a chair, and they should be gone round two or three times, as they are extraordinary harbourers of dust, spiders, moths, and flies. A birch-broom covered [ with two or three folds of rag is an excellent contrivance to brush down the wall-paper, which should be carried out in a methodical manner. Just flicking with a duster will not do, for it only has the effect of making the paper look streaky in certain lights. This portion of the cleaning cannot be hurried, atid to be done thoroughly will require the whole morning at least. For the 'fiooja the best scrubbing material is carbolic soap and warm wkter, and this Will also do to wash the skirtings and other woodwork. Good "housewives take the bed to pieces, examine all joints carefully, and wash it also with, the carbolic soap or paraffin. The mattrdss should also be carefully looked into, and put out in the sun for the day. The remainder of the bedding requires similar treatment, even although it has had the vigilant eye - of the housewife on it every day. The wardrobe, chest of drawers, and dressing table ought to be" 1 entirely emptied- of their contents, and the interiors washed thoroughly, as it is often in these that the house moth and silver fish lore to frequent. Neither of thesfi insect# likes the smell of camphor, and a " small piece should be kept in every drawer, but it disappears very quickly, and requires constantly renewing. Should the skirting-beards have shrunk a little off the floor, it is as well to scrape out the spaces with a thick piece of iron wire, with the end just bent for. half an inch. The amount of fluff and dirt that will be hooked out is astonish-

ing, and often a cockroach or two, or a big spider, who has been living there for the winter months. If you should have such a thing as a ceiling centrepieee, with a pair of bellows from the top of the steps you will be able to dislodge the dust. Bedrooms should never be covered with carpet; a square of Japanese matting with a bed rug is all that is needed. The margins can be covered with linoleum, to be had in exquisite and clean-looking patterns nowadays. If the bed has hangings, it is the time to abolish them.. They are very pretty and cosy on cold nights, but are very unhealthy, as nearly everyone should know. Next to the bedroom, the living room, where, the fire has-been burning morning, noon, and night, for six months, requires all attention. The chimney-sweep should lead off, And he always needs watching, to see that his brushes go the full length of the chimney, which can be found out by watching from outside. Soot has the habit of gathering into lumps in two or three places in a chimney, and these are often the cause of it smoking. In straight flues these lumps can be easily detected and' removed. Pictures require to be re-hung, bookcases turned out, and rubbish discarded, and the same treatment a# that given to the bedroom carried put. There are often too many small things in a living room altogether, not only useless, but ugly. They have been occupying the dame places for years, but are neither useful nor ornamental. Now is the time to clear them out, " they never will be missed.".., 'Passages, staircases, andhalls require the same drastic treatment, and that dark and dingy cupboard under

the stairs, into which all that is useless has been stored, requires a thorough emptying. Most of the sttiff ,in if is only fit for the fire, and the place will be all the sweeter when the burning has taken place. The kitchen and scullery require the strictest attention, especially the gas stove and range. No turn-out can be too thorough in connection with them. If it be possible to give all the wood- ' work a coat of paint, so much the better. Rubbish, such as odd of oilcloth, ancient coal-scuttles, ~ injured crockery, do collect in kitchens, and they, too, should go to the rubbish heap. The greatest enemies of.all kinds of inserts are strict cleanliness and plenty of light and sunshine. Fleas flourish best in warmth, dirt, and darkness; so do moths, and in spite of all precautions will sometimes find a lodgment-- in certain articles. Should they giet into a mattress or a piece of upholstered furniture, it is better to send them to be professionally. stoved and cleaned. The larder, store-room, bathroom, and housemaid's pantry mu-st not be overlooked in the general turn-out, and sanitary paint will be found excellent in this connection. Plaster of Paris will be found a capital material to stop up mouse-holes if this little plague has got a footing-in the house. They can also be; starved out by care with the food. m Rats can always be caught' by the grip* trap if a little whisky be poured over the cheese bait. —Queen Bee, in the■?' Australasian."