THE CARE OF FLOORS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8002, 4 May 1904, Page 1

THE CARE OF FLOORS.

. — . — y . In these days of *,' squares" for. the floor nothing is better than a stained edge. Oilcloths and linoleum are but ineffective substitutes. Of course much depends on the age of the floorboards. If fairly new, these may be rubbed smooth and neatly coloured. Prepared stains can be purchased practically everywhere. Prepared wax and liquid wax, which give most satisfactory results, can also be purchased almost, if not quite, as cheap as if prepared afc home. If the floors are to be varnished only the best quality of varnish should be used. Each coat should dry thoroughly before the next is put on. When the boards are stained before being varnished the colour remains even when the varnish wears off. Some woods absorb more colouring niatter .than others. A white 'wood that is to be stained to imitate a dark wood requires a stron. preparation, while a dark wood that 'needs to have the colour deepened slightly requires a* weak preparation. For an oak stain take half a pound each of potash and carbonate of potash to one gallon of water. This give, a brown stain. Liquid ammonia makes new oak look like old. A decoction of green walnut shells applied hot to the injarxisy will "make new oak look like old. For red shades use nitric acid diluted. with water. . " ■Nothing is easier than the future care of a! well-finished floor. Water should never be used on a wax floor. - The less water used on any. floor the better. Painted, varnished, and oiled floors may be cleaned with crude petroleum. Dip a woollen cloth in the petroleum and rub the boards with it. Waxed floors should be dusted with a soft cloth or dust-mop. To remove v dirt spots from such floors, wipe with a olofch which has. been dampened; with* turpentine. This will" remove the wax, and it will then be necessary to go oyer the spots with a cloth slightly moistened! with - wax.