Familiar lessons for little girls on work in parlor, bedroom and laundry. For industrial schools and for homes

Front matter

Vol.Z

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Preface

The First Primer of this series has been so favorably received that the writer is encouraged to present the second, which gives the outline ( f work in the parlor, the bed-room and the laundry. By it the pupil will be advanced the next grade of knowledge in domestic work. In kitchen - garden and industrial schools, this course of lessons will be given with great advantage in connection with practical exercises.

The songs of the First Primer have proved very useful. Children enjoy the singing; and the words thus stamped upon the memory will go with them through life. Several songs are given in this Primer, for two of which the author is indebted to the kindness and courtesy of Miss Emily Huntington, of New York, from whose popular work on the “Kitchen Garden” she has been permitted to takq, them.

Many housekeepers have found the former Primer very useful as a guide for inexperienced help, and an efficient substitute for much personal direction. With such use of the series in view, the writer has taken still more pains in the preparation of the present work, to make the directions full and complete. The intelligent liouse-maid, with these rules to guide her, can at once assume the duties usually assigned to her, with but little special direction from the housekeeper.

To the young daughters of families in all stations in life, a careful study of these lessons can not fail to be of great service in preparing them for the responsibilities which they may expect to assume in the future. If their position in society should render personal labor unnecessary, they will still have use for this know¬ ledge in directing others; but if they are obliged to perform such work with their own hands, they will derive still greater advantage from exact knowledge : for this only can give to household work the dignity which crowns all useful labor performed in the best way and accomplishing its objects with real success.

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Table Of Contents

I —How to Keep the Parlor in Order, II. — Sweeping Lesson, •

III— Dusting Lesson,

IV. — Cleaning Paints, -

CHAPTER I. HOW TO KEEP THE PxVRLOR IN ORDER

In this chapter we will not try to learn how to sweep and clean the parlor thoroughly, but simply how to keep it neat and ready for use.

In fine weather open the windows every morning and allow the fresh air to come in ; all rooms need air from with¬ out ; no guest should ever be more welcome than fresh, pure air.

If a fire is kept in the room, first see that the stove or grate is cleared .from ashes and that the fire is replenished with fuel. With a little whisk broom and dust-pan sweep up any bits of dirt which may be upon the carpet, and brush the stove or grate neatly.

If an open grate is used, you will need to wash up the hearth and grate-pan, and to wipe the dust from shovel, tongs, etc., leaving all about the fire bright and clean.

If flowers are kept in the room, these should be supplied with water, and all the dead leaves removed.

Vases of cut flowers should be taken from the room and re-arranged ; take out all dying ones, fill the vases with fresh water, and return the flowers in neat order.

. With a soft cloth, wipe the dust from the furniture and wood- work, and arrange all in proper order for the conven¬ ience and comfort of those who are to occupy the room.

If the room is used only as a reception room, the windows and blinds may be closed when the room is not in use.

What do we learn in this chapter ? What must we do first in the morning ? If there is a fire kept in the room, what should we do ? How do you clean up an open grate ? What will you do with flower-pots ? What with cut flowers ? What next will you do ? What is the last thing to be done ? Recite the Rules.

RULES.

1. Open the windows if the weather is fair, and allow the fresh air to come in.

2. If a fire is kept in the room, see that the grate or stove is cleared from ashes, and the fire replenished with fuel.

3. With a carpet-sweeper or whisk broom and dust-pan, brush up any bits of dirt from the carpet.

4. If flowers are kept in the room, see that these are properly watered and the dead leaves removed.

5. With a soft cloth rub the dust from the furniture and wood-work about the room.

6. Wash up the hearth and grate-pan, and make all bright and clean about the fire.

Comments. — If the parlor is used as a living room, of course the light, and even the sunshine, should he admitted.

A room which is in constant use will require attention several times through the day. Picking up will very frequently he required, if the room is to he kept in neat order. The dust-hrusli and pan should he near at hand, and the dusting cloth convenient, for they will all he needed several times in the course of the day. This should be the work of the little girl or hoy of the family. It should be done with as little disturbance of the occupants of the room as possible. Work tables can he put in order quietly, spool baskets neatly arranged, reading tables set to rights, bird cages cleaned, and flowers arranged ; all these can be the care of the young people of the family.

SWEEPING LESSON.

To arrange living rooms and parlors with good taste, much practice and instruction are required, and children should begin very young to learn how to fold and arrange papers, how to place books neatly upon shelves, and, what is of more importance, how to keep all their own possessions in good order.

Chapter II. Sweeping Lesson

For sweeping you will need to have ready for use a good broom, not too heavy, but well made of fine straw 5 also a whisk broom, a hair dust-brush, a feather dust-brush, a dust¬ pan, a step-ladder, and calico furniture covers.

Open the blinds, and if the weather is quite mild, open the windows also *, but if there is any wind, keep the windows

shut till the sweeping is done.

Having all things ready, begin by setting all light articles into another room ; then cover tables and heavy pieces of furniture.

Shut all doors leading into other rooms. If there is a stove or grate in the room, sweep the dirt toward this point ; otherwise, select any convenient spot, and sweep from all

parts of the room to this place.

If the room is to have a thorough cleaning, begin by brushing the dust from the walls, mounting a step-ladder to reach to the ceiling. Brush the backs of pictures and all

projections covered with dust.

When this part of the work is done, take the whisk

broom and sweep under heavy pieces of furniture, and into such little corners as the large broom will not reach.

Now you are ready to take the large broom. Grasp the broom firmly and sweep with short strokes, holding it evenly upon the carpet and never raising it until you are ready to set it back for another stroke. It should be forcibly drawn over the carpet, rather than struck across it.

Continue to sweep until every speck of dirt is collected into the pile ready for the dust-pan ; then brush the dust upon the pan with the whisk broom.’ The grate or stove must be brushed with the hair brush.

If the windows were not opened at first, they may now be opened till the dust is settled.

What utensils will you need for sweeping ? If the weather is fine, what should you do ? What will you do with all the light articles ? How will you keep the dust from the tables, etc. ? Where will you sweep the dirt ? What should you dust, before beginning to sweep ? What do you use the little whisk broom for ? How should you hold the large broom ? What do you do with the dust when it is all swept together ? What is the use of the hair dust¬ brush ? Recite the Rules.

RULES.

1. Have ready for use a broom, a hair dust-brush, a feather dust-brush, a little whisk broom, a step-ladder, covers for the furniture, and a dust-pan.

2. Open the blinds, and the windows also, if the weather is fair.

3. Move all small, light articles outside, and close the doors.

4. Cover heavy pieces of furniture, and tables with books or ornaments on them.

5. With the feather dust-brush sweep the dust from pic¬ tures and from the walls.

SWEEPING LESSON.

6. With the whisk broom sweep under heavy furniture and in little corrnes.

7. Take the large broom and sweep with short, even strokes, never lifting the broom from the floor till it is to be set back for another stroke.

8. When the dust is all swept carefully to one place, brush it upon the dust-pan with the whisk broom.

Comments. — Tlie above directions are for carpeted rooms only.

The present style of oiled floors, with rugs only for carpet, would require a different treatment.

For bare floors of any kind a long-handled hair brush is required Polished floors may be cleaned by simply wiping them with a cloth wrung out of warm water, to remove the dust. The carpet upon the stairways should be swept with a whisk broom, each step being swept upon a dust-pan ; the ends and the space between the balusters should be brushed with a hair dust-brush.

Housekeepers should plan to have but one thorough sweeping of the house in the week ; indeed, for rooms which are not much used, once in twTo weeks is sufficient. Frequent sweepings are very inju¬ rious to carpets. For all daily cleaning it is better to use either a carpet-sweeper, or a whisk broom and dust-pan. Have a carpet-sweeper, if possible. It will soon pay for its cost in the saving of carpets.

I have said nothing about using any wet tea leaves or wet bran, or wetting the broom to save dust. The housekeeper may find help in some of these ways, but it is not safe to allow inexperienced girls to use any thing of the sort.

The best way to clean a carpet is to take clean hot water, with a little ammonia in it (a tablespoonful to a quart), and go over the car¬ pet after it has been well swTept. Take a new scrubbing brush and dip it in the water, shaking it to prevent too much water on the carpet ; scrub a small place and immediately take a clean cloth wrung out of the water, and rub the place well ; then take a clean dry cloth and rub as dry as possible. Either Brussels or ingrairu carpets may be cleaned in this way.

There is danger of moths in a room which is kept dark and is not in constant use. A thorough sweeping occasionally, and exposure to

PARLOR, BED-EOOM AND LAUNDRY WORK.

light and air are the best remedies. Take especial pains to sweep along the edges of the room, under furniture and in dark corners.

To be secure from these pests, keep a small oil - can tilled with benzine ; and once in two weeks go over the room, putting a few drops into the tufts of covered furniture and along the edges of the carpet. The benzine will not injure the finest silk velvet.

Chapter III. Dusting Lesson

To dust a room thoroughly you will need two feather dusters — a long-handled one for the pictures, and a finer one, with a short handle, for ornaments, books, etc.

You will also need two soft dusting- cloths ; one should be entirely clean, for rubbing window-glass, mirrors, and nice articles. A step-ladder will also be needed.

First, mount the step-ladder, and, with the large feather duster? brush the walls, cornices, ceilings, and high projec¬ tions. Brush the pictures both front and back, not omitting the cords or wires with which they are hung.

Now take the smaller brush and dust the ornaments and such articles as can not be well rubbed with a cloth. You are now ready to beo-in the real work of dusting the room, which must always be done with a soft cloth. Go around the room regularly, rubbing each article carefully, leaving no part untouched. Be careful to rub all the woodwork of the room — window-seats, door-panels, etc.

Bring in fhe pieces of furniture which were set outside, and dust them, and set each thing in its proper place. If any articles can not be entirely cleaned by rubbing with the

DUSTING LESSON.

dry cloth, take a little clean, warm water and wash them, and wipe them with a dry cloth.

Halls and stairway must be very carefully dusted ; rub each baluster separately.

In dusting parlors or rooms where there are delicate or¬ naments, be very gentle in your movements, and careful not to overturn or injure anything.

What thin ars will vou need to dust a room well? How

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do you sweep the wall? How clean the pictures? What do you use the small dust-brush for? How do you dust the room regularly? What will you do with the things which were outside? How do you dust halls and stairways? How must you work to avoid any accident? Recite the Rules.

RULES.

1. Have ready two good feather dusters, one with a long handle, and two soft dusting-cloths, one entirely clean ; also, a step-ladder.

2. With the step-ladder and the long feather duster, brush the walls, the pictures, and all high projections.

3. Take the small duster and dust the ornaments and such things as can not well be rubbed with the cloth.

4. Go around the room, rubbing each article carefully with the cloth, leaving no part untouched.

5. Use the cleaner cloth for the pictures, mirrors, win¬ dow-glass, etc.

6. Bring in the things which were set outside, dust them, and set all in their proper places.

7. Be very careful not to injure or misplace any article in the room.

Comments.— Housekeepers should provide at least six good dust¬ ing-cloths. These may be made of thin cheese-cloth. They should rARLOR, RED-ROOM AND LAUNDRY WORK.

always be hemmed and regularly put into the wash as soon as they are much soiled.

There is a very nice brush made of hair, pointed to fit into the backs of sofas and easy-ch airs; this is a good thing to have for clean¬ ing plush-covered or other fine furniture. A thorough brushing with such a stiff brush will do much to prevent moths from destroying fur¬ niture-covers. Benzine is a sure preventive.

Dusting is a work which may be said to be never finished or done up. We can at almost any time discover dust in our rooms. It is not wise, however, to be spending one’s life with duster in hand. I think it best to be very thorough at proper times in this work, and then let it go, determining not to be annoyed by every speck of dust.

When furniture becomes old and is much soiled, it is well to give it a thorough washing with warm water, with perhaps a little soap or ammonia in the water. After washing and drying it, rub the surface thoroughly with oil and water in equal parts. Beware of any patent furniture washes. Never try them on a valuable piece of furniture.

Chapter IV. Cleaning Paints

Rooms which are in constant use will require to have the finger-prints washed from doors and wfindow-seats, on the regular sweeping day, each week.

Just after the sweeping is finished, take a bucket of clean, warm water, and with a clean flannel cloth, wrung out of the water, wipe the doors, and all paints which show es¬ pecial dirt. Do not use soap. Have a bit of old carpet to set the bucket on. Wipe dust off first with a dry cloth.

If there is a marble mantel, this and the hearth will need

CLEANING PAINTS.

cleaning. Use for cleaning marble, sapolio, or pulverized pumice-stone.

Wipe all the iron parts of the grate with a wet cloth, rub the steel parts with pulverized Bristol brick, or, better, with emery and oil, and black the grate bars with stove-

blackino*.

When all the paints are to be thoroughly cleaned, pre¬ pare the water by putting into a third of a bucketful of it about a tablespoonful of ammonia. Squeeze the cloth till no water will run from it, and begin to wash at the highest points, standing upon the step-ladder. Wet only a small place at once, wiping it dry with a dry cloth. Remember to wipe off the dust first with a dry cloth.

Never allow the water to drip from the cloth upon the paint below, and be careful not to touch walls or furniture with wet hands.

If the paints are old or discolored, use soap or sapolio upon the cloth. As soon as the dirt is removed, wipe with a clean, wet cloth, and again with a dry cloth.

Corners and deep moldings will require especial atten¬ tion; take a bit of whalebone and cover it with the cloth, and thus clean into the corners.

What paints will you need to wash on the regular sweep¬ ing day? How should you clean the finger-marks from doors? What do vou use to clean a marble hearth? How do you clean the grate? When all the paints are to be thoroughly cleaned, how do you prepare the water? What must you remember? Tell just how to wash paints. What caution is given about wet cloths and wet hands? What do you use if the paints are old or discolored? How can you clean corners and moldings?

PARLOR, BED-ROOM AND LAUNDRY WORK.

RULES.

1. Have ready a flannel cloth for washing, and dry cotton cloths for drying paints.

2. Wash only a small place at a time, and dry it at once.

3. Be careful never to allow the water to run from the cloth upon the dry paint below.

4. Clean well in the corners and moldings.

5. Do not use soap unless the paint is old or very dirty.

6. Be very careful not to touch the wall or furniture with wet hands.

7. Rub the steel parts of a grate or stove with emery and oil, and black the bars of the grate with stove-blacking.

Comments. — Varnished or plain oiled wood-work can be cleaned by simply wiping the surface with a damp cloth to remove the dust. After drying it, rub with a slightly oiled cloth. Use boiled oil for all such purposes, and mix with one part water. After rubbing with the oil, polish with chamois skin.

Wall paper can only be well dusted with a brush and a dry cloth. Rid) the walls with a broom having a cloth pinned around it.

Painted walls can easily be washed, but special care is required. The dust should first be brushed off ; then take water as hot as the hand can bear, and put into it one tablespoonful of ammonia to a quart of water. Use no soap. Begin at the ceiling and work down, washing only what can be easily reached at once, and drying as soon as well washed. Squeeze the cloth to prevent any drip of water. A stream of water running over the unwashed wall will discolor it per¬ manently. Use a large, soft cloth to wash with. Old knit underwear makes the best cloths for this purpose.

Oil cloths should be washed with hot water, using little or no soap.- Lin deum is now much used in place of oil cloth. It is said to be much more durable, and more easily cleaned.

HOW TO WASH WINDOWS.

Inside blinds are very troublesome to clean, especially when simply painted. Each slat must be wiped separately, and carefully dried.

Silver-plated door-knobs and door-plates will require polishing every week. Special care is required in rubbing silver-plate to avoid touching the varnished doors. Use for cleaning them the best silver polish, purchased at a jeweler’s.

Chapter V. How To Wash Windows

In city houses, exposed to smoke and furnace dust, the windows should, if possible, be washed every two weeks. With the proper materials at hand, and a little skill, windows can be washed very quickly and easily.

Have readv for use a bucket one-third full of hot water, into which put one tablespoonful of ammonia ; also a good soft cloth for washing, and two or three large, clean cloths for drying the glass. Do not use soap.

Arrange a step-ladder in such a way that, as you mount it, your right hand will be toward the window. Set the bucket on the top of the ladder.

Wash each pane and dry it before wetting another. Wh en you have washed and dried and polished the upper section of the window, take the lower one in the same way. Wipe the dirt from the sash, but do not wash the windowframes while cleaning the glass.

When the inside is well cleaned, push the upper sash down and the lower one half way up ; reach over the top and wash and dry the upper half of the lower sash ; then

PARLOR, BED-ROOM AND LAUNDRY WORK.

push this down, and reach over and wash the upper half of the upper sash.

Now you are ready to set aside the step-ladder, and wash the outside of the lower half of the lower sash. To do this, raise the lower sash half way up ; and, with cloth in hand, seat yourself in the window-seat, with your body outside the window ; in this position wash and dry this half sash.

When this is done, come inside ayd arrange the upper sash in the same way.

Never allow your cloth to be so wet as to drip water ; and be very careful to clean well in the corners of the glass.

A bit of soft paper is good to polish glass with, after it is wiped with a cloth.

How often should windows be washed ? What do you need for washing windows ? Do you use soap ? How do you set the step-ladder ? Tell just how to wash a window. How do you wash the outside of the window ? How wet should the cloth be ? What do you use to polish the glass with ? Recite the Rules.

RULES.

1. Have ready for use a bucket one-third filled with hot water, a soft, clean washing cloth, and three large, clean wiping cloths.

2. Use a spoonful of ammonia in the water, but no soap.

3. Wash each pane and dry it before wetting another.

4. Wash, dry and polish the inside first, beginning at the top.

5. Never have the cloth wet enough to allow water to drop from it.

0. Be very careful to clean well into the corners.

7. Do the last polishing with soft paper.

8. Change the water often, keeping it hot and clean.

GENERAL CARE OF THE BED-ROOM.

Comments. — Kitchen windows and very smoky ones may need soap, or wliat is better, the Sapolio now in so common use. A. good number of window cloths should be prepared by the housekeeper. It is well not to use common towels; they soon become badly worn by being subject to such hard usage, and by the hard washing which is required to cleanse them afterward.

Old bed linen is very good for this purpose, but it should be torn into proper pieces and hemmed ; the cloths thus become respectable, and will be better taken care of. One fresh cloth will be needed for each window ; thus, if you have two windows to wash, you will need two cloths for drying; and if you have more windows to wash, at least one fresh one for each window.

To keep all the windows of a large house in neat condition is one of the greatest troubles of the housekeeper. I direct washing once in two weeks ; but of course this is not always best. If but little help is kept, it would be too hard to require the one maid-of-al 1-work to wash all the windows in the house so often.

CHAPTER YI.

GENERAL CARE OF THE BED -ROOM.

Bed-rooms should be kept very clean, and should be well aired every day.

Just as soon as the inmates have arisen and dressed, pass around and lay back the clothes from the beds, over chairs placed at the foot, so that the inside of the beds may be well exposed to the air ; then, if the weather is fair, open the windows.

Hang the night clothes in the air. The rooms should be left thus exposed to the air for one hour at least.

When the rooms are well aired, you are ready to begin

PARLOR, BED-ROOM AND LAUNDRY WORK.

the regular morning work. Take a covered slop -bucket, and another bucket half filled with hot water, a good washing cloth and a drying cloth, and enter the room.

Empty all the slops into the covered bucket, and wash the wash-bowl and all the toilet dishes in the hot water, and wipe every thing dry, leaving all in good order.

Hang damp towels up to dry, and take away soiled ones, remembering to replace them with clean ones.

When you have passed around all the rooms in this way, empty and wash out the slop-bucket, and set it out in the air to dry. Wash out the cloth, and hang it in its place. Wash your hands, and put on a clean apron. You are now ready to begin to make the beds.

Once a week, on Saturday morning, you will need to chano-e the bed linen. Take from the store-room the clean

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linen and put into each room such articles as will be needed, before beginning to make the beds.

Families usually take from each bed every week the lower sheet and all the pillow cases and bolster case. If shams are used, these may be left for several weeks without change.

White bed spreads will need to be changed once a month. Two towels are allowed to each person ; and these should be changed about three times a week.

How should you take care of a bed-room ? How do you */ «/

air the beds ? The niodit-clothes ? How Ions* should the beds be aired ? How do you empty slops and wash the toilet sets ? What of towels ? What of slop-buckets and cloth ? How do you prepare to make the beds ? When do you change the bed linen ? What do you take off each week ? How many towels to each person V

GENERAL CARE OF THE BED-ROOM.

RULES.

1. Pass around and lay the bed clothing back from the beds, and open the windows if the weather is fair.

2. Hang up the niglu-clothing in the air.

3. Leave the rooms thus exposed to the air for one hour.

4. Empty all the slops, and wash all the toilet ware in warm water.

5. Empty and wash the slop-bucket, and set it out in tne air.

6. Wash your nands and put on a clean apron before beolnnino; to make the beds.

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7. On Saturday morning prepare to change the bed linen.

Comments. — Good cloths for washing toilet ware, and paints or windows, may be made by taking old white stocking legs, cutting them down the leg, and running them two together on a sewing ma¬ chine; by putting the wide end of one with the narrow end of the other, you have a good shaped cloth, and one that will be soft, strong and free from lint. Old knit underwear is also very good for such purposes.

Girls should not be allowed to wipe toilet sets upon the soiled towels, but should be required to use the proper cloth kept for that purpose. Soiled bed linen and towels should not be thrown carelessly into close closets, but should be put into a basket kept for the purpose, or put into a bag, to save them from becoming more soiled. These collections of soiled clothing should never be kept in sleeping rooms. They should, if possible, be removed to the laundry, or kept in outer rooms, exposed somewhat to the air.

The ventilation and cleanliness of sleeping rooms is of the great¬ est importance for the health of the family. Young children are especially sensitive to the influences of bad air. If several persons are obliged to sleep in one room, the windows should be opened a very little way at night, the risk of taking cold being less than the danger of air-poison. One halt inch at the top, and the same space open at the bottom, will ventilate a room well in cool weather. If the window can be opened at the bottom only, a screen should be set in front of

PARLOR, BED-ROOM AND LAUNDRY WORK.

the window to prevent the direct current of air upon the inmates of the room.

Sleep, if possible, in the larger rooms of the house; better dispense with a parlor than incur ill health by sleeping in crowded small rooms. If the windows can not be kept open all night, open them wide for a little time before retiring, so that all the air in the room may be entirely pure to begin the night with. If the weather is very inclement, of course the windows must not be opened.