CLEAN KITCHENS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 185, 26 October 1927, Page 7

CLEAN KITCHENS

PLATE-GLASS AND TILES The value of plate-glass in the kitchen is not yet realised by most housewives, who frequently consider it only in connection with . the bathroom. It is equally satisfactory for kitchen shelves, and other similar fittings: for the larder also, enamelled iron and plate-glass are ideal; while many people like a slate shelf, for this again is easily cleaned. Draining-boards are still as a rule made of wood, but when selecting new ones it is of the utmost importance to select only those of hard wood, for a soft one allows grease and moisture to be absorbed and is almost impossible to keep hygienically clean. Porcelain and enamelled iron boards are now available, too, and have many points in their favour, the most important being the ease with which they can be kept clean. A slight disadvantage however, is that with a careless maid there is the possibility of the hard surfaces being responsible for an increased number of breakages, although the use of rubber mats minimises this. Tiled draining-boards are also occasionally fitted and prove very satisfactory alternatives, although these again are necessarily “hard.” The importance of tiling sufficiently far round the sink and draining-board is a point worthy of mention, for it is in the vicinity of the sink that especial care is needed to ensure that there is no inducement for even the most careless maid to allow grease to collect. Very frequently the tiles are insufficient in number with the result that the wall beyond becomes splashed and the surface impaired. The win-dow-sill above the sink is frequently used for holding the soap rack, dishcloth and other utensils, .and an ordinary painted or enamelled surface soon becomes shabby. The desirability of continuing the tiling to include this ledge is obvious and well worth the comparatively slight extra cost involved.

For the floors, choice lies between tiles, a composition floor and linoleum. Tiles are particularly hygienic and very easily kept clean. When the ordinary red floor tiles

are laid the application of wax polish is recommended, for this fills up the pores and gives a hard polished surface through which dirt does not readily penetrate.

Some people maintain that tiled floors are apt to be somewhat hard, when standing for prolonged periods is necessary. This is, however, often due to the fact that thin shoes are worn, and could be prevented by wearing rather heavier ones. No small point in favour of a tiled floor is the lasting wear it gives even when subjected to hard usage as is the case in an institution. Readers may be interested to know that the kitchens of a large college in London were tiled about ten years ago and are still in practically perfect condition.

Many people turn back a bedspread by merely throwing it over the foot of the bed. A better plan and one which keeps the quilt uncreased and uncrumpled is as follows: —Fold top to bottom, thus folding the quilt in half. Then take the two upper corners and fold to the centre of the foot, which will give you a mitre. Turn this point over the rail of the bedstead.