HOW TO STAIN A SOFT-WOOD FLOOR

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 70, 15 December 1937, Page 11

HOW TO STAIN A SOFT-WOOD FLOOR

If you prefer stalned boards to carpets for the living room or the bedroom, the following hints may be of assistaij.ce for staining a soft-wood floor^ Moisten a packet of red or brownt dye, such as is used for dyeing wool; and cotton, with cold water. Scrub tho floor well, and while it is still wet apply the dye with a straw broom until tho whole floor is stained. It docs not mattcr if the dye is not put on quite evenly. One packet of dye is enough for a fairly large room. When the floor is dry take a quart of xaw oil and, with a small cloth, apply this to the floor, rubbing it well in. The use of a drier^ such as a small proportion of terebine, is advised by paint and colou: experts, but this is not absolutely necessary. When the floor is again dry, which will take one or two days, give a second coat of oil. When this is thoroughly dry apply beeswax and turpentine. The beeswax must be shredded as finely as possible and covcred well with turpentine. Leave for a day or two, stirring at intervals until the beeswax and turpentine are thoroughly mixed. Then add more turpentine, until the mixture is thin enough to leave only i soft film if. a little is dropped on.the loor. Dip the corner of a soft cotton cloth' Into the mixture, roll the cloth tightly f.nd wring well, so that it is evenly moistened all over with the beeswax md turpentine. Push the cloth np and Jown the floor with an old haTd broom, »r with a floor polisher. The cloth must 00 rubbed hard and vigorously against the floor. ; When the whole floor is rubbed, take t, soft, clean cloth and go over :t again in the same way (without the beeswax and turpentine), until a nice polish is obtained. This method does away with the necessity of going down on one's knees to polish the floor. The polishing will' have to be done once a week for a time, but when the floor is in really good condition less frequent polishing will be needed. If the floor is hardwood, it will gradually polish without the use oi stain. Three applications of raw lin« seed oil should be given. It sliould thc'l be polished with the beeswax and tun pentine mixture.