SPRING CLEANING WITHOUT TEARS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20887, 19 August 1939, Page 18 (Supplement)

SPRING CLEANING WITHOUT TEARS

No Need for Family to Leave Home

■Spring ripening need not be the hard work is was *n the past, but even in houses where there arc few coal tires or none winter always has some effect on hangings, covers, and paintwork. Even if our houses are very remarkably clean we may yet find it useful to plan a mild campaign against any sort of shabbiness that has crept in, or against any kind of inconvenience that winter has discovered. It is a good idea to make a tour of the house, regarding it coldly from the point of view of an inspector of beauty and comfort, and then decide on any alterations that will make things pleasanter, especially for the summer. Upholstered furnture may need professional cleaning, after which loose covers are often suitable for summer use. Often a room may be much improved by having hangings or rugs dyed and there should be little fear of shrinkage or other damage nowadays. Small repairs to furniture should be dealt with, any spots or stains on tables, etc. either treated at home or the article sent for repolishing. Fittings, too, need looking over, window fastenings that may have become affected during the winter months, or electric lignt attachments that need repairs. Often silk lampshades hocoine ingrained with dust: these may be washed cart fully by immersing them in a large tub cr basin of warm soapy water and gently swish-iii-g about Hair-rods need special attention and may well be replaced b-v the more modern and laboursaving clip* . After all these major affairs have been settled we

may decide that a certain amount of extra cleaning is necessary, particularly if we plan t" have the minimum of housework done in the warmer weather, tush and fatigue do not make, for cffcient cleaning - , ft nd care must be. taken to make the other daily work and cooking as light as possible. Before actual (‘.leaning starts make sure that cleaning tools are In good order and that any special attachments lor your vacuum cleaner are intact, and that the titling of these is understood. Many people dislike the trouble, of fixing attachments, hut for a special clean it is as well to use them, for nothing is so effective for dusting walls and cornices. There are very many special cleaning agents, for washing taint or enamel ba*hs. shining glass and mirrors, o n special floor or furniture polishes, that may have escaped your attention. A little while spent in the ironmongery department of an up-to-date store, or even in quite a small local shop, will be. a revelation. Many people have a line vacuum cleaner but very nasty scrubbing brushes. Buy brushes as large as are comfortable to grasp . They need the least effort to use. See also the fascinating array of different sorts of brushes ior different household jobs. Finally, begin in the time-honoured way at the front of the house and plan well so that one or [wo rooms are done and finished with before proceeding with the others. A house may be spring cleaned without causing the whole family -to feel like leaving home.