535. A Stair-Carpet

A Stair-Carpet should. never be swept down with a long broom, but always with a short-handled brush, and a dust-pan held closely un-der each step of the stairs,

536. Oil-Cloth

Oil-Cloth should never be scrubbed with a brush, but, after being first swept, it should be cleansed by washing with a large soft cloth and lukewarm or cold water. On no account use soap or hot water, as either will bring oft" the paint.

537. Straw-Matting

Straw-Matting may be cleaned with a large coarse cloth dipped in salt and water, and then wiped dry: the salt prevents the matting from turning yellow.

538. Oil-Paintings

Oil-Paintings hung over the mantel-piece are liable to wrinkle with the heat.

539. Ottomans And Sofas

Ottomans And Sofas, whether covered with cloth, damask, or chintz, will look much the better for being cleaned occasionally with bran and flannel.

540. Furniture

Furniture made in the winter, and brought from a cold warehouse into a warm apartment, is very liable to crack.

541. Rosewood Furniture

Rosewood Furniture should be rubbed gently every day with a clean soft cloth to keep it in order.

542. Dining-Tables

Dining-Tables may be polished by rubbing them for some time with a soft cloth and a little cold-drawn linseed oil.

544. Silver And Plated Ware

Silver And Plated Ware should be washed with a sponge and warm soapsuds every day after using, and wiped dry with a clean soft towel. (See 3,149.)

545. China Tea-Pots

China Tea-Pots are the safest, and, in many respects, the most pleasant. Wedgwood ware is very apt, after a time, to acquire a disagreeable

546. Japanned Urns, Waiters

Japanned Urns, Waiters, etc, should be cleaned with a sponge and cold water, finishing with a soft dry cloth.

547. To Clean Looking-Glasses

First wash the glass all over with lukewarm soap-suds and a sponge. When dry. rub it bright with a buckskin and a little prepared chalk finely powdered.

548. A MAHOGANY FRAME should be first well dusted, and then well cleaned with a flannel dipped in sweet oil.

549. Bronzed Chandeliers Lamps

Bronzed Chandeliers Lamps, etc, should be merely dusted with a feather-brush, or with a soft cloth, as washing them will takeoff the bronzing.

550. To Clean Knives And Forks

Wash the blades in warm (but not hot) water, and afterwards rub them lightly over with powdered rotten-stone wet to a paste with a little cold water, then polish them with a clean cloth.

551. Blacking For Stoves

Blacking For Stoves may be made with half a pound of black lead finely powdered, and (to make it stick) mix with it the whites of three eggs well beaten; then dilute it with sour beer or porter till it becomes as thin as shoe-blacking; after stirring it, set it over hot coals to simmer for twenty minutes; when cold it may be kept for use.