p. 14 | Sweeping and Dusting

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 25, 1916

Sweeping and Dusting

The following recommendations on this familiar part of the day’s work in every home have been printed and distributed by the New York City Department of Health:—

“In sweeping a room raise as little dust as possible, because dust, when breathed in, irritates the nose and throat and often sets up catarrh. Some of the dust breathed reaches the lungs, making portions of them black and useless.

“If the dust breathed contains the germs of tuberculosis or consumption,—tubercle bacilli,—which come from persons who have pulmonary tuberculosis spitting on the floors, the risk is run of getting the disease. If the sick person uses proper spit cups, and is careful to hold a handkerchief over the mouth when coughing or sneezing, so as not to scatter spittle about in the air, the risk to others who live in the same rooms is inconsiderable.

“Before sweeping bare floors, sprinkle moist sawdust on the floor. When the room is carpeted, wet a newspaper, tear it into small scraps, and scatter these over the carpet. In sweeping, brush these scraps of paper along with the broom, and they will catch most of the dust, and hold it fast, just as the sawdust does on bare floors. Do not have either the paper or the sawdust dripping wet, only moist.

“In dusting a room, do not use a feather duster or dry cloths. These do not remove the dust from the room, but only brush it into the air.

“Do all dusting with slightly moistened cloths, and rinse them out in water when finished.

“In rooms with bare floors (in houses, stores, shops, schoolrooms, etc.), all dust can be easily removed after it has settled, by using a mop, which has been wrung out so as to be only moist, not dripping wet.”