Home › House Cleaning › House Cleaning: Afterwards

House Cleaning: Afterwards

These may be driven into the damp spots only or, if necessary, into the entire wall. Afterwards paper.

To Remove Mold from Walls. -To remove mold or mildew from walls or ceilings, apply with a whitewash brush a solution of 1 pound of chloride of lime dissolved in a pailful of water.

To prevent dampness when building, after the walls are a few feet above the ground lay a row of stone or brick with a mixture of tar pitch and fine sand in place of mortar.

WINDOWS, DOORS, ETC.

To Clean Windows. - Do not use soapsuds on windows. The soap adheres and requires a good deal of rinsing to remove. The easiest way to clean windows is with a chamois or clean cloth and clear water. Wring out the chamois or cloth so as to be wet but not dripping, and wash the windows clean. Afterwards wring dry and go over them again. Finally polish with a dry cloth or chamois. Rinse "Clean Windows with a Chamois." the cloth and change the water as often as necessary.

Or, if the windows are much soiled, use a little washing soda, but do not let water containing soda drip or stain the paint on the sash. Wash one pane at a time and wipe with a dry cloth.

Or add a little gasoline to the water.

This cleans quickly and gives a high polish.

Or add 1 tablespoonful of kerosene or ammonia to 1 quart of water.

Or, if the windows are not much soiled, wet them with a soft cloth dampened with kerosene or ammonia water, and wipe with a dry cloth.

Or mix a little dry starch with cold water to the consistency of cream, and wash the windows with this, leaving it to dry on. When dry, rub it off with a damp newspaper. This gives a high polish without lint or streaks.

To Remove Paint.-To remove paint spots from windows, soften them with hot, strong vinegar, and rub a copper or silver coin over them to loosen the paint.

To Remove Putty.-To remove putty, go over it with a red-hot poker or other hot iron, taking care not to touch the paint on the window sashes.

When the putty is hot, slip a dull knife blade between it and the woodwork and it will readily come off. Any other method that will remove putty is likely to injure the paint on the sashes.

Or apply two or three coats of paraffin oil by means of a small brush, allowing each coat a half hour or more to penetrate before the next one is applied.

Or apply soft soap freely by means of a brush. In a short time the hardened linseed oil is dissolved, making the putty plastic, so that it can be readily removed. - Window Corners. - Use a whisk broom to dig out the corners of the window sash, or use wings of turkeys, geese, or chickens. These are also cood to wash windows, as they are free from dust and lint.

Or use a piece of whalebone or a skewer to clean out the corners of the sash.