Floors, both soft and hard wood, admit of several methods of satisfactory treatment, depending upon their condition and the amount of wear they are subjected to. The object being to give them a durable, elastic, but hard coating, capable of resisting wear and tear, and to show in the least possible degree, scratches, or other marks from any of the ordinary conditions to which they are subjected.

If the floor to be treated is in too bad condition to show the natural beauty of the wood, a floor paint, made according to the floor paint receipt given in another part of the book, is the only practical method. Some color should be selected which is in harmony with the other decorations of the room, and at the same time, one which will not show dust or dirt readily.

If the natural or treated wood is in fair condition, the worn coating can be removed by the use of one of the varnish removers recommended, which will also remove the dirt, or it can be rubbed down thoroughly with steel wool. When this article is used, take off all superficial coats with steel shavings, and finally, finish with No. 1 or No. 2 steel wool. In very fine work, No. 0 steel wool can be used. When a natural finish is desired, proceed as follows:

No. 1

Apply two or three coats of any good floor varnish, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before the next is put on. No other treatment in this case is necessary. Let the varnish be thin in body and be sure to spread it carefully.

No. 2. For Hard Wood Floors

First apply a coat of good paste wood filler thinned with turpentine, when dry, rub with fine steel wool, or sand paper, after which, floor varnish can be applied as above. The most satisfactory method, however, is to apply two coats of good floor wax after filling, each coat of wax being thoroughly rubbed with a woolen cloth or weighted floor brush. When wax is used, a light coat can be applied once a month, which will serve to keep the floor always in good condition.

No. 3

In place of wood filler, use grain alcohol white shellac and use floor wax over this coating.

No. 4

After preparing the floor, apply in succession three coats of white shellac, giving each coat sufficient time to dry. This treatment is adaptable to hard wood and parquetry floors, and for such floors, is the usual treatment.

Liquid wood filler, when used, is best adapted to soft woods, and it is essential that the filler be composed of good gum varnish, otherwise, if subjected to the action of moisture and wear, the coating will mar, disfigure, and turn white.

On smooth hard wood and parquetry floors, prepared wax can be used as directed previously, without other treatment.