CARE OF RUGS

NZ Truth, Issue 1210, 7 February 1929, Page 17

CARE OF RUGS

How To Lengthen Their Lives The general appearance of rugs and carpets as . well, . as their length of life depends oh the • methods adopted for cleaning them. CTRBNUOUS shakings, holding them by the corners or sides, hanging them over the clothes-line, and so on, may remove. some of the dust, but it is not good for them, as it tends to loosen the foundation threads and causes the knots to slip. .' „\ ; ' . If you are not fortunate enough to possess a vacuum cleaner, -lay the rug or carpet face downwards on the grass or floor and. beat it with 'a- -rattan beater. Light beating is the thing, after which the '-dust shouid be swept from the back with a broom or carpetsweeper. Now turn. '' the i-ug over and gently brush, going the way of the nap— never against it." Carpet brushes should be kept very clean, or dirty marks will counteract the efforts of your hard wo>k. If the rug is finally wined with a cloth damped with alcohol — working always with the- nai> — the colors wiil be revived.- ,: . .When rugs become soiled m such a way that ordinary methods fail, they should be washed. : Place them on a table, after freeing them from dust, and clean with a heavy lather of soap, as thick as shaving lather.. Apply this gently to the rug with a small, rather soft nail-brush, being careful to brush the way of the nap. A small portion only should be done at a time, and each part rinsed thoroughly with a sponge . wrung out of warm water, before proceeding with the next part. . . ' As soon as the rinsing water becomes at all discolored it should be renewed. On; completion of the washing the rug should be spread out flat to dry. Extra care is required when washing cheap rugs, or. they will lose their shape. It is advisable to fasten such rugs to the floor and leave them to dry m that position. To clean colored fur rugs, use bran heated on a plate m the oven. Rub the hot bran into the fur with the hand, then gently beat it but.: ' Powdered magnesia is best for cleaning white fur rugs.