THE CARPET PROBLEM

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20536, 30 September 1936, Page 12

THE CARPET PROBLEM

BRIGHTENING I P THE HOME Even though “spring-cleaning,” in the old sense of the term, has become out of date, what home-maker can resist the urge to brighten up her home when spring knocks so cheerily at the door?

Those of us who live in rooms that express the modern ideals of space and elimination of non-essentials in equipment may contemplate the approach of spring-cleaning without the slightest worry. But many hang on year after year to superfluous possessions, oft-times useless, antiquated. In this case spring-cleaning can be more of an undertaking than it would otherwise be, also a period of general unheaval for other members of the family. So be firm this year. Let the turning out of “white elephants” and the ridding of everything superfluous in way of clothes and furnishings be one of the first duties of spring-cleaning.

What You Will Need; Unless you live next door to a general store, have your needs for the great clean-up in readiness, brooms, brushes, mops, dusters, paints, varnishes, or kalsomine, and general cleansers. And plan! For your own sake don’t decide to change the colour of the walls after you’ve practically completed the cleaning operations. Give close attention to rugs and carpets. Nothing adds so much to their beauty as cleanliness. Dirt ground into a rug cuts the pile and wears it threadbare. The regular use of a vacuum cleaner keeps them perfectly clean, of course providing you use a long, smooth action; never jerk, as that has a tendency to break the nap. Where there is no vacuum, take them outside, place downward on the grass, and beat thoroughly. A large disc attached to a broom handle is good. Never use a stick as it may cut or weaken the fibre.

Care of the Carpet Now is the time to give the carpet a shampoo. It will look all the better for It, just as your hair does. First go over it with a brush or vacuum cleaner, then rub over a soap lather or carpet soap, adding a little ammonia to the suds. Remove all traces of soap with a damp cloth, using several changes of water, then finally rub with a dry cloth.

You can also dry clean the carpet by sprinkling it liberally with common salt. Leave this on for an hour, then brush off, and rub the carpet over with a cloth dipped in hot water, adding to this a lump of ammonia.