WINDOWS, DOORS, ETC.
To Clean Windows. — Do not use soapsuds on windows. The soap ad heres 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 pol ish with a dry cloth or chamois. Rinse 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, leav ing 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 put ty, 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 wood work 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 par affin 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 hard ened 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
good 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.
To Polish Windows. — Polish win dows with dry chamois or tissue paper or an old newspaper slightly mois tened.
Or apply with a moistened rag pow dered indigo, pumice stone, or fuller's earth, and polish.
Or fold a piece of cheese cloth and put a quantity of pulverized pumice stone between the folds, stitching around the edge to keep the powder from spilling. Polish chimneys and window panes with this prepared cloth. It gives a high polish instantly, and will last a long time.
Or with a soft cloth rub a little vinegar on the glass. Rub dry and polish.
To Prevent Windows from Steam ing. — After cleaning the glass, rub over it a rag slightly moistened with glycerin.
Windows—To Keep Out the Sun.— Make a paste of powdered gum traps canth and white of egg. Beat with an egg beater and let it stand twenty four hours. Apply with a soft brush and let dry.
To Clean Mirrors.— Mix a little powdered bluing, whiting, or pumice stone with alcohol to form a thin paste. Smear the surface of the mir ror with this by means of a small sponge or soft rag, and before the al cohol evaporates rub it dry with a clean cloth. Afterwards polish with silk, chamois, or tissue paper.
Or wring a cloth or chamois out of clear water, dip in dry whiting, and apply. Rub with a dry cloth or cham ois and polish.
Or apply whiting mixed with tea to form a thin paste. Use clear tea to remove stains.
Or wring a newspaper as you would a cloth out of cold water, so that it will be damp but not wet. Rub the glass with this, and afterwards dry with a fresh newspaper softened by crumpling it in the hands.
To Polish Mirrors. — Use a dry chamois or pumice bag, or a silk hand kerchief, or tissue paper, or apply powdered chalk or whiting with any of these. Or use a dry cloth slightly moistened with a few drops of aqua ammonia.