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LEATHER
GOODS:
Given the
proper care, leather retains a smart appearance and wears indefinitely.
Neat's-foot oil, lanolin and castor oil are all good leather conditioners.
Before oil is applied the leather should be cleaned by careful dusting, or by
washing with a well wrung out soapy cloth, or with saddle soap.
Grease spots
can be removed with a dry-cleaning fluid.
PORCELAIN
SINK OR BATHTUB:
To whiten
sink or tub, fill it with lukewarm water, add a little chlorine bleach and let
stand for a while. For very deep stains mix cream of tartar and hydrogen
peroxide to a paste and scrub hard with a hand brush. The results are usually
spectacular.
SILK:
Delicate silks not" known to be washable
should be handled by a reliable dry cleaner. Hand-launder washable silks with
lukewarm to cool water and a synthetic detergent made for wool. Silks are
damaged by alkalies, and even the purest soap is alkaline in reaction. When
washing do not rub the fabric, but work it about gently in the suds. Rinse
carefully in water of the same temperature; then remove excess moisture by
patting it between dry towels.
WOOD
FURNITURE:
1) Burns: If
very light, burns sometimes disappear when rubbed with your usual polish. If
not, use rottenstone or finely powdered pumice, mixed to a thin paste with raw
or boiled linseed oil. Rub in the direction of the grain. Wipe with another
cloth moistened with plain linseed oil.
2) Alcohol stains: Spilled drinks, medicines, skin lotions and perfumes
dissolve many wood finishes. When accidents occur, wipe up the spilled liquid
instantly and rub the spot with a cloth moistened with an oil polish. For old
stains use rotten-stone or powdered pumice, mixed to a thin paste with raw or
boiled linseed oil. Rub lightly in the direction of the grain. Then wipe with a
cloth dampened with plain linseed oil. Repeat as many times as necessary, then
polish. 3) Scratches: Rub an extra amount of your usual polish into the
scratch. If the scratch still shows, brush a little turpentine into it.
Turpentine penetrates the finish and restores the color of the
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