WALLS AND CEILINGS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 51, 24 November 1926, Page 17

WALLS AND CEILINGS

Distemper lias revolutionised the process of keeping walls clean, as a regular dusting and, if the distemper is washable, a rub over with a cloth wrung out of soapy water will keep them spotless. The modern washable “wall paper,” which is really not a paper but a cloth, is of course almost ideal for keeping clean. Walls that have been papered are a little more difficult. The best method is to dust them with a broom over which a soft cloth has been tied. Sweep every part of the wall, using long downward ’ strokes. Care must be taken to remove all dust from the picture rail and cornices previously, or it will be liable to settle on the. paper, and the dusting will smudge it. A vacuum cleaner is best for this process, and if the wallpaper itself is not very dusty the. brush attachment can be used on this as well. If there are marks or stains on the wallpaper, or it still has a soiled appearance after the dusting, rub it over carefully with drv bread. Cut the bread in fairlv large pieces, start at the top of the wall, and, using firm, downward strokes, go over the whole wall. First- of all, however, cover the floor with newspapers to catch the bread as it crumbles away. You will find that all marks are instantly removed by the bread. Do not rub too hard, or you will spoil the surface of the paper. Varnished and waterproof papers should be dusted and then washed over with soap and hot water. On no account scrub this paper or use any rough cleanser, such as sandsoap, on it, as it spoils the surface, and in a very short time wears out the paper itself. Rinse with a cloth wrung out in cold water and finally, if necessary, polish with a dry leather. Very often practically the whole surface of the wallpaper is good except one patch. If you have some pieces of the paper it is quite easy to put on a patch so that it will not be noticeable. Tear a piece of the paper just a little larger than the hole or stain you wish to cover. The rough edges made by tearing the paper instead of cutting it will merge, with the other paper and prevent the hard edge that would otherwise be so noticeable. Paste the back of the piece of wallpaper with flour paste, working it well - in. See that too much paste is not used, or it will ooze out round the edges and make the patch unsightly. Pat the patch into place with a dry cloth. If the paper is patterned be sure that vour patch exactly fits into the pattern. When the patch is dry it will be quite invisible if cleverly matched

Ceilings are best cleaned with a soft cloth tied over a broom or, better still, a cloth tied over the brush of the vacuum cleaner. Any signs of damp must be examined and the necessary repairs made. It is always better to have your ceilings repaired bv professionals, for they are difficult for an amateur to accomplish, and the result is not alwavs satisfactory.

Having cleaned the walls and the ceiling the next process is to clean the paintwork. It should first, of course, have been dusted at the same time as the walls, and for this purpose a small, soft brush is often more successful than a duster. Then wash it carefully with

warm water iu which a little soap has been dissolved. Do not use any rough cleanser on paint as it will scratch the surface. Have your cloth only just wet and do not rub too hard. Rinse with warm water and give a final polish with a dry cloth. For varnish paint use only tepid, not hot, water. Never, use soda for washing paint, but a little borax can be added to the water if the paint is verv dirtv

A cloth dampened with kerosene is excellent for. dark wood and linseed oil well rubbed in cleans ps well as giving a deep and rich polish. It must, however, be very well rubbed in, as otherwise it will make the wood smeary and will show every finger mark.

The stained glass windows in York Minster are valued at uo less than .£73,000.