OCR Text |
Show WHY-- Painting Preserves the Life of Wood Unpalnted wood surfaces absorb ea.se and dirt more readily, are mor likely to stain, and are harder to keep clean than those In which the porea of the wood are filled with varnish, 11, paint, or other finish.- In general, houBe should contain an few uafln-Idlied uafln-Idlied wood surfaceu as pos-ilble. In one kitchen, for exumple, labor may be saved by finishing or covering the floor, by covering the table with oilcloth, oil-cloth, linoleum or zinc, and by painting paint-ing or varnishing the rest of the furniture. fur-niture. Unflnshed wood surfacei may be rubbed with the grain of the wood, nalng small quantities of water and a mild soap, rinsed with a cloth wrung out of clean water, and wiped dry. Rtrung soaps, alkalis, and too much water darken wood and may soften It. If the dirt cannot be removed with oap and water, a scourer, such as fine steel wool or powdered pumice, may be used. Unfinished wood can be blenched with oxalic acid solution, which is poisonous. The wood should b covered thinly with the solution, Mowed to dry, and then thoroughly washed until all traces of the add re removed. If grease Is spilled on unfinished wood cold water should be applied at once, If possible, In order to harden the grease and prevent Its spreading, then as much grease as possible pos-sible should be scraped off with t knife, and the spot scrubbed with a washing soda or lye solution. If the Bpot appears dark, a paste made of fuller's earth and water should be spread over It and allowed to remain overnight. Oiled floors should be swept with a soft brush and dusted with a dry or oiled mop. Occasionally they may be wanned and afterward wiped with an oily cloth. Water should be used sparingly, and care should be taken to nib the oil In well and not to use so much that a surplus Is left on the surface sur-face to bold dust and be tracked onto rugs. |