Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 222, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 September 1912 — PROPER CARE OF MATTING [ARTICLE]

PROPER CARE OF MATTING

Its Days of Usefulness May Be Celt* siderably Extended by a Little Forethought. \ For sweeping, a hair broom should be rather gently plied, always In the same direction, since stiff bristles, undue vigor and brushing across instead or along the mesh result In a frayed surface, - which ruins the appearance and harbors dirt. A scattering of damp Indian meal, scraps of newspaper or common salt —on no aocount tea leaves or newly mown grass, of which a stray shred accidentally stepped on creates an ugly stain —simultaneously attracts the flying particles and enhances brightness, while a final rub over with a soft dry cloth, though not absolutely necessary, imparts a pleasing gIoBS. Although plain water and soap, or, worse still, soda, Invariably turn mat-, ting yellow, a periodical washing with bran water or brine is very beneficial, provided sloppiness is strictly avoided and the surface is \pot left wet. The latter should be gone over piecemeal, first with a large cloth, squeezed out In the chosen liquid, next with a second similarly wrung out In fresh cold water and lastly with a dry rubber. • If the matting cannot be taken up and hung In a shady spot In the open air, windows and doors should be thrown wide for I at least a couple of hours after this washing and sunlight meantime excluded.