The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Dream Kitchens

Caring for Linoleum

Linoleum is one of the easiest of all surfaces to keep clean and polished. Clean linoleum floors with a little water and linoleum cleaner. Rinse with clear water and let dry, thoroughly. Then apply a self-polishing linoleum wax. Allow to dry for 30 minutes before using, or before applying a second coat. Repeat as often as required—usually once a week in kitchens and other service areas. To remove light soil between times, a damp mop is sufficient. Linoleum counter tops should be polished with paste wax. Clean regularly and polish frequently. Promptly wipe off fruit juices and other spilled acids and alkalies, such as drain cleaning compounds, all of which may discolor the linoleum. Always use a "hot pad" under pots and pans which come off the stove.

Projects For The Kitchen

Built-in Ironing Board

A board, or table surface, properly padded and covered, is the proper surface for ironing. The table is useful for large pieces of flatwork, but a board with one narrow end is preferable for clothing. A sleeve board is also a convenience for blouses, children's clothes, and other small articles.

An ironing board needs a firm, folding support. Boards hinged to the wall or door of a cupboard, with a prop attached, are convenient where there is need of conserving space. A shelf for the iron, sponging cloth, and other small equipment is easily included in such a cupboard. See the drawings below for the simple details of such a cabinet and board.

Drying Rack

An extremely simple drying rack can be built and suspended by ropes and pulley over a register or other convenient place in the laundry or kitchen. The rack is lowered to hang the wash, and then raised up to the ceiling to be out of the way while the clothes are drying.