The household (of the Detroit free press)

If a carpet is thick, like those of Brussels or Axminster, and is much soiled, take a clean mop and dip it into warmish water, to which one teaspoonful of ammonia has been added to each quart. Wring out the mop as dry as possible, and rub it over the carpet in breadths. When the water becomes soiled, take a fresh supply. Upholstered Furniture should be well beaten with small switches to remove dust, and if buttons are used, a hairpin is the best to get the dirt from beneath them. If they show any appearance of being motheaten, take them out in the door yard and saturate them thoroughly with benzine or gasoline (this method is used in upholstering establishments), and the odor will quickly disappear and leave no trace. If they are covered with hair cloth it may be cleaned by wiping well with a clean wet cloth. Benzine will eradicate moths in the carpets the same as in furniture. Avoid using it near the fire, or in a room where a light is burning. Alum is also certain death to all insects. Dissolve it in proportion of one tablespoonful to a quart of water. For the floors use it scalding hot; let it cool before applying to the carpets. Wring a piece of flannel in it and rub over each breadth, wringing out the cloth frequently in the water. It will not injure the colors ; if anything, it will make the hues brighter. A little pulverized alum should also be sprinkled just under the edges and in the troublesome corners, and then it will not be necessary to repeat the process with the flannel cloth and liquid. Weak Tea is the best thing to clean and brighten all dark varnished paint ; and milk and water, or whiting and water, to clean white paint. A piece of flannel or thick Canton flannel makes the best cloth. Wet the flannel, squeeze it dry, moisten the whiting and rub the paint until it shines. Wash off with a soft linen cloth, wet slightly in cold water. Or this : Provide a plate with some of the best whiting to be had, and have ready clean, warm water and a piece of flannel, which dip into the water and squeeze nearly dry; then take as much whiting as will adhere to it ; apply it to the painted surface, when a little rubbing will remove any dirt or grease, after which wash the part well with clean water, rubbing it with a soft chamois. Paint thus cleaned looks as well as when first laid on, without any injury to the most delicate colors. To Wash the Windows, have a pail partly filled with tepid water and a teaspoonful of powdered borax — also one of ammonia ; have a small chamois skin dipped into the water to wash the windows ; then with a dry one rub the window dry and polish. In this way windows may be cleaned in a very few minutes, and not wet the carpets or tire the person. To Clean Gas Chandeliers : If they are gilded, clean them in the same way as gilded picture frames ; if lacquered, dip a soft flannel into equal parts of vinegar and stale beer, and rub it over lightly. If the chimneys and globes are much dimmed, dip a paper into the spirits of wine and rub over them, and then polish with newspaper. Ammonia is excellent for washing glasses, windows or mirrors. Use a tablespoonful to a quart of clear water or soap-suds.