STEPS AND WINDOW-LEDGES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 545, 24 December 1928, Page 4

STEPS AND WINDOW-LEDGES

WATERPROOFING SAVES WORK—IMPROVING THE j COLOUR—REMOVING GREASE The task of cleaning s , eps ail(i dov. ledges can be reduced to a mini mum by waterproofing the stone I C ° n< ' rete - Pre ‘ >are * hot solution of soap and water, using three-quarter I of a pound of Castile soap to one J, ! lon of water. Stir well until thor oughly dissolved, brush it over th I Stone or concrete, and allow 24 hour! ,to dry. Now prepare a'second w ash j consisting of two ounces ot alum die solved m one gallon of water anri apply this also to the stone. Tt> nT tain the best results, see that the alum solution does not fall below temperature of 65deg. Fahr. Stone and concrete treated in the, way will be impervious to water for about three months, and mav cleaned simply by frequent swilW wnh lukewarm water or IMPROVING THE COLOUR To improve the colour of stone and concrete steps, mix the hearthstone or red ochre with thin starch instead of water. This makes it adhere to the steps instead of getting trodden off or washed off by rain. lio T° bleach s “ ne that is discoloured L S a L . s . crape ‘he outer surface, then boil half a pound of caustic soda in a bucket of water, and apply this ti h a brush or mop. As the m i„ " lightens, wash with soap and -water Now take a piece of unsiaked li me about the size of an egg, dissolve®! in a quart of milk, and wash the suJl with the solution until it is bleached to your satisfaction. REMOVING GREASE To remove grease and oil stains from stone or concrete, pour a strone boiling solution of soda and wate? over the marks. Then lay on a little fuller’s earth made into a thin paste with boiling water. Allow this to remain overnight, and if the grease is not entirely remded in the morning repeal, the process. If the grease or oil marks are newly made, and therefore not very deep they may be removed by rubbing the spot with a hard stone—not hearthstone —using sand and very hot water, with soap and soda.