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Sweeping and Dusting

1. Before beginning to sweep, see that no food is left uncovered in the room. 2. Open the windows and close the doors. 3. Dust and remove chairs, etc. Cover such articles as cannot be taken from the room. 4. Wet the broom in a solution of borax and water. Do not use tea leaves or corn meal. Tea leaves may leave a stain and corn meal is apt to attract water bugs. Small pieces of newspaper well dampened and sprinkled on the floor may be used. 5. Sweep from the edges of the room towards the center. 6. Sweep with short strokes, keeping the broom close to the floor. This keeps the dust from flying. If the broom is properly held it will be impossible to lift it at the end of each stroke and set the dust flying. (See illustrations.) 7. When the dust has been gathered at one spot, take it up with a short broom and dustpan. 8. Always sweep a floor before washing or scrubbing it. 9. After sweeping a room, dust the woodwork and furniture, bring in the articles that were taken out, set the room in order and partly close the windows. 10. Always use a damp duster, which will collect and hold the dust, instead of merely moving it from place to place as a dry duster or feather duster will do. When the work is completed, wash the duster and so get rid of the dust. 11. New brooms may be soaked in strong, hot salt water before using, to toughen the bristles and make the brooms last longer.