PLAN No. 828. THE CLEANING CLOSET
Entrance of dust and dirt into a house is unavoidable, and the housekeeper is compelled to spend some of her time and energy in the daily cleaning. Through the use of better equipment and more systematic planning she is able to do the cleaning more easily and quickly. It is well to have a special place where cleaning utensils may be kept in the best condition and ready for instant use. Much time and energy is spent in collecting the utensils needed for cleaning.
A closet, cupboard, or wardrobe, in the kitchen is the best place for keeping the cleaning utensils. A back-stair closet is also a good place. One end of a back porch may be inclosed and used for such a purpose. The closet should have plenty of hooks and racks for utensils and a shelf for cleaning materials.
The housekeeper should choose utensils according to her own needs and according to the requirements of her house. Those suggested below are inexpensive and will help to lighten the work of cleaning:
Bucket with wringer for mopping.
A piece of inch board 15 inches square with rollers makes a convenient platform on which to set the mop bucket, and permits it to be moved easily without lifting.
Wall mop made by tying a bag made of wool or cotton cloth over an ordinary broom.
A broom, with a hook screw in the end of the handle by which it can be hung up.
A long-handled dustpan.
Several brushes for cleaning purposes.
Cheesecloth, worn silk, and flannelette for dusters.
Dusters may be made by dipping pieces of cheesecloth in two quarts of warm water to which one-half cup of kerosene has been added. These cloths should be kept away from the stove and lighted lamps, as they are inflammable.
A blackboard eraser covered with flannelette for stove polishing.
An oiled floor mop to use on oiled or polished floors. Several makes can be found on the market, or one may be made of old stockings or any discarded woolen of flannelette material. The material is cut into one-inch strips and sewed across the middle to a foundation of heavy cloth. This is fastened to an old broom handle or used in a clamp mop handle. The mop is dipped into a solution made of one-half cup of melted paraffin and one cup kerosene and allowed to dry. To keep it moist, it is rolled tight and kept in a paper bag, away from stove or lamp.
A carpet sweeper or a vacuum cleaner should be used in the daily cleaning of carpets and rugs. A vacuum cleaner operated by hand or electric power removes practically all the dust and dirt from carpets and rugs in a dustless manner.