Oilcloth improves with age as the paint hardens; hence select, if pos sible, a piece which has been a long time in stock.
Linoleum is a coined word for a floorcloth consisting of a mixture of oxidized linseed oil and pulverized cork. This is laid upon a foundation of coarse burlap and made to adhere by pressure. Linoleum was invented by ah Englishman, William Walton, and was formerly sold at rather high prices on account of a monopoly in the use of the patents in the United States. The patents have now expired and linoleum is being sold in competi tion with oilcloths for floor coverings. It presents a better appearance, is much more durable, and hence is cheaper in the long run. Oilcloths and linoleums, if of good quality and properly laid, are perhaps the best of all floor coverings for kitchen, pantry, laundry, or any other room where wet or greasy substances are likely to be spilled or where there is a great deal of wear. A good grade of linoleum in a solid color also makes a desirable background for Oriental or other rugs as a substitute for a hard-wood floor.
To Lay Oilcloth. — The floors of many rooms, especially in houses that have been standing for many years, become very rough. The cracks widen, and some boards wear or settle more than others, making the surface un even. This condition presents two difficulties: the cracks admit draughts from beneath, and the sharp and un even edges wear the floor coverings. Linoleums and oilcloths being stiff and brittle are especially liable to wear and break along these cracks; hence, before laying these floor coverings, put down a number of thicknesses of newspapers. These will also prevent the floor covering, when heated by the sun or by the heat of a stove, from sticking to the floor.
Or use carpet felt or carpet linings obtainable from dealers for this pur pose.
Or cover the floor evenly with saw dust by working it into the cracks as much as possible.
Or spread over the floor a rather thick coating of fine dry sand.
Any of these methods makes a solid filling that increases the life of the oilcloth many years.
To Varnish Oilcloths.—Oilcloth and linoleum may be much improved in appearance, and also indefinitely pre served by an occasional coat of var nish. To apply a fresh coat once in
three months is not too often. This freshens the colors, prevents the oil cloth from cracking, and, by lessening friction, makes it much easier to clean. If linoleum is used as a background for rugs in bedrooms or living rooms it may be painted, in imitation of va rious colors of wood, with any of the modern varnish paints which contain stains, and dry with a smooth, glossy surface. When so treated a good lino leum makes an imitation of a hard wood floor, which can hardly be ex celled either for beauty or durability. It is especially useful in those cases where a large rug is used for the cen ter of the room with an open border about it. It is, of course, much bet ter in such cases to cover the entire room with linoleum, and to lay the rug upon this.
To Renew Linoleum.—Old pieces of linoleum may often be made as good as new by first washing them with a strong solution of sal soda, ammonia, and soapsuds to remove the original color. Then apply a coat of any good light-colored paint, and lay over this any desired color of varnish paint in imitation of the woodwork. Instruc tions as to what paint to use may be had from the dealers. Always allow paint and varnish to become thor oughly dry and hard before walking upon it.
Use of Floor Coverings.—Floor cov erings doubtless originated in the use by our primitive ancestors of the skins of animals as rugs, and the earliest floor coverings used by civilized na tions were in the form of rugs. This usage still continues in the Orient.
The later custom of manufacturing carpets and other floor coverings in long, narrow strips, to be joined to gether, grew out of the desire to cheapen the process of manufacture by adapting the size of the fabrics to the uses of the loom. The custom of covering the entire floor of a room with carpet or other floor covering doubtless arose, in great degree, from the desire to cover cracks, knots, and other unsightly defects in cheap and badly made floors, to prevent soft wood floors from wearing, and also to lessen draughts from the cracks be tween floor boards.