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Show WHY- Painting Preserves the Life of Wood L'npalntcd wood surfac ahBorb ITnse und dirt more readily, are more lllifly to Btaln, arid are harder to keep clean than those In which the pore of the wood are filled with varnish, oil, paint, or other finish. In gf.r-ral, a house nhou:d contain aa few uufln-Inlied uufln-Inlied wow aiirfaeea as possible. In one klt'-hen, for example, lahor may be saved hy finishing or covering the flfxjr, hy covering the table with oilcloth, oil-cloth, linoleum or zinc, and by painting paint-ing or varnlahlnu the rest of the furniture. fur-niture. Unflnshed wood surface may be scrubbed with the irraln of the wood, using small quantities of water and a mild soap, rinsed with a cloth wrung out of clean water, and wiped dry. Strong- 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 be covered thinly with the solution, allowed to dry, and then thoroughly washed until all traces of the acid are removed. If urease Is spilled on unfinished wood cold water should be applied at once, If possible, In order to harden the grouse und prevent Its spreading, then as much grease as possible pos-sible should he scraped off with a knife, and the spot scrubbed with a washln? soda or lye solution. If the spot appears dark, a paste made of fuller's earth and water should be sprend 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 washed and afterward wiped with an oily, cloth. Water should be used sparingly, and care should be taken to rub the oil In well and not to use so much that a surplus Is left on the surface sur-face to hold dust and be tracked onto rugs. |