In using a vacuum cleaner what two things will make
it work unsatisfactorily? If the bag becomes too full of
dirt the air will be held back and not enough will be
drawn in to remove the dust, or if a stick or leaf becomes
lodged in the hose or metal handle the dust will lodge
there, and it will gradually cut off the current of air,
and the cleaner will not take up the dust at all.
How can these troubles be avoided? Empty the bag
every time after cleaning or using for a couple of hours
or so. Pull the handle off the hose ; hold the hose out
straight a few minutes, with the power turned on ; pull
off the handle and give it several brisk taps on the floor,
raising it up and down ; this will usually dislodge any
fluff accumulated in it. A wire or whalebone can be
pushed through the tool opening that runs over the car-
pet, to see that nothing has lodged in the bend. A cleaner
choked up with dust will not work well.
Efficiency in Home Making 21
CARE OF THE CARPET SWEEPER.
How should the carpet sweeper be cleaned? Empty-
dust from sides, and if threads or hair is wound around
the brush, run the shears between the rows of bristles,
cutting the hair or thread, then it will pull out much
easier, without injuring the sweeper. Oil it occasionally,
according to directions with machine.
CLEANING AGENTS.
Is ammonia a valuable cleaning agent? It is. It is
better to buy it at the drug store and then dilute it at once
with water, about one-half ; or much of it will be lost as it
is very volatile. Do not put it in very hot water, as it
will evaporate, and do no good.
Is coal oil valuable in cleaning? Very; it cuts many
kinds of dirt.
Is borax useful in cleaning? Very, and is the least
injurious of the alkalies.
It is better to use when washing colored goods than
ammonia, as it has less effect on colors.
How can you determine whether a substance is an acid
or an alkali? Blue litmus paper will turn red in an acid
solution, and red litmus paper will turn blue in an alkaline
solution.
WASHING WINDOWS.
Wipe over inside and out first with a dry cloth to re-
move the dust; then after washing the framework with
a wet cloth, cleaning the corners with a wooden skewer,
wash the glass with warm water with a little ammonia or
soda in ; always wring the cloth quite dry. Wipe dry with
dry cloths and polish with crumpled newspapers. Or a
thin paste may be made of whiting and ammonia, and a
little water. Rub this on in a thin film, let dry thor-
oughly, then polish with soft paper. This cleans them
very quickly.
22 Efficiency in Home Making
CLEANING METALS.
How can most metals be cleaned? By washing in hot
water with some borax or soda, or they can be wiped off
with a little kerosene.
What brass polishes are good ? There are several good
ones on the market.
Should ammonia be used in cleaning brass? Never.
Why will silver wrapped in white tissue paper some-
times tarnish? If •sulphur has been used in bleaching it
will act on the silver and turn it. The sulphur in rubber
bands will turn it.
If silver tarnishes very quickly, what does it indicate?
That there is either coal or illuminating gas escaping in
the room.
What must one guard against in silver polishes? Any
gritty substance which would scratch.
Page 9
Presented as published in 1915. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
In using a vacuum cleaner what two things will make it work unsatisfactorily? If the bag becomes too full of dirt the air will be held back and not enough will be drawn in to remove the dust, or if a stick or leaf becomes lodged in the hose or metal handle the dust will lodge there, and it will gradually shut off the current of air, and the cleaner will not take up the dust at all.
How can these troubles be avoided? Empty the bag every time after cleaning or using for a couple of hours or so. Pull the handle off the hose ; hold the hose out straight a few minutes, with the power turned on ; pull off the handle and give it several brisk taps on the floor, raising it up and down ; this will usually dislodge any fluff accumulated in it. A wire or whalebone can be pushed through the tool opening that runs over the carpet, to see that nothing has lodged in the bend. A cleaner choked up with dust will not work well.
Efficiency in Home Making 21
CARE OF THE CARPET SWEEPER.
How should the carpet sweeper be cleaned? Emptydust from sides, and if threads or hair is wound around the brush, run the shears between the rows of bristles, cutting the hair or thread, then it will pull out much easier, without injuring the sweeper. Oil it occasionally, according to directions with machine.
CLEANING AGENTS.
Is ammonia a valuable cleaning agent? It is. It is better to buy it at the drug store and then dilute it at once with water, about one-half ; or much of it will be lost as it is very volatile. Do not put it in very hot water, as it will evaporate, and do no good.
Is coal oil valuable in cleaning? Very; it cuts many kinds of dirt.
Is borax useful in cleaning? Very, and is the least injurious of the alkalies.
It is better to use when washing colored goods than ammonia, as it has less effect on colors.
How can you determine whether a substance is an acid or an alkali? Blue litmus paper will turn red in an acid solution, and red litmus paper will turn blue in an alkaline solution.
WASHING WINDOWS.
Wipe over inside and out first with a dry cloth to remove the dust; then after washing the framework with a wet cloth, cleaning the corners with a wooden skewer, wash the glass with warm water with a little ammonia or soda in ; always wring the cloth quite dry. Wipe dry with dry cloths and polish with crumpled newspapers. Or a thin paste may be made of whiting and ammonia, and a little water. Rub this on in a thin film, let dry thoroughly, then polish with soft paper. This cleans them very quickly.
22 Efficiency in Home Making
CLEANING METALS.
How can most metals be cleaned? By washing in hot water with some borax or soda, or they can be wiped off with a little kerosene.
What brass polishes are good ? There are several good ones on the market.
Should ammonia be used in cleaning brass? Never.
Why will silver wrapped in white tissue paper sometimes tarnish? If •sulphur has been used in bleaching it will act on the silver and turn it. The sulphur in rubber bands will turn it.
If silver tarnishes very quickly, what does it indicate? That there is either coal or illuminating gas escaping in the room.
What must one guard against in silver polishes? Any gritty substance which would scratch.