Fittings, Floors and Furnishingss. Please read through the useful hints, tips and how to guides below.

To clean

white spirit | bleach | wax

Wipe alabaster with white spirit. Do not clean with water; alabaster will absorb the water and any damaging acids it might contain. Household bleach will remove stains. Polish clean alabaster with wax to protect the surface.

powdered cuttlefish

Cuttlefish can be picked up on many ocean beaches or bought from pet shops. Rub powder onto bad stains.

chloride of lime water

Make a paste and rub onto the alabaster. Leave for an hour then wipe off.

To repair

epoxy resin whiting

Mix together and fill holes and chips with this translucent mixture.

To preserve

Store in refrigerator.

To prolong life

Put run-down batteries in a warm oven for 1 hour.

Bonded fabric blinds

1 cup borax | 1/2 cup salt | 2 tablespoons drycleaning fluid | methylated spirits or eucalyptus oil

Rub the mixture over the blind then brush it off with a towel. Treat any spots by rubbing with methylated spirits or a little eucalyptus oil on a cloth. If badly stained, remove from the roller and reverse so that the bottom is at the top.

Canvas or Holland blinds

To clean

soft india rubber

Rub light stains with a soft rubber.

laundry soap | fabric softener

For more extensive stains or general grime, take down blind and immerse lower, dirty part in a bath of luke-warm water to which a little softener has been added. Keep blind flat; do not squeeze or wring, but scrub gently with a soft brush and some soap.

flour | rough cloth

For non-washable blinds, rub well with flour on a rough cloth.

Venetian blinds

To clean

old cloth | gloves | warm soapy water

Wear gloves. Dip fingers in water and draw each slat between your fingers.

spatula | cloth | methylated spirits

Wrap an old cloth round a spatula, dip it in methylated spirits and run it along each slat.

white furniture wax

Once blinds are clean, rub over with wax and polish before it dries. Blinds will be easier to clean and dust.

To brighten tapes

white shoe polish

Wipe blind tapes with white polish on a damp sponge.

To repair tapes

packing tape

Stick heavy-duty tape onto the side of the damaged tape nearest the wall so it will not show.

Do not use water; do not use methylated spirits on valuable pieces.

To clean

toothpaste

Rub item with toothpaste, then polish off with a soft cloth.

salt | lemon juice

Never use water on bone and ivory, it will be absorbed and do damage. Dip a damp cloth into the salt and lemon solution and wipe each item. When cleaning piano keys, do not let solution seep between keys. Wipe dry.

methylated spirits | soft brush

For really dirty marks on pieces that are not very valuable, use an artist's brush dipped in methylated spirits.

To whiten

whiting | hydrogen peroxide

Make a very stiff paste of 20 per cent hydrogen peroxide and whiting (too wet a mixture will be absorbed by the piece and make it swell). Dry in sunlight, then wipe off quickly with a damp cloth Dry thoroughly.

lemon

Rub a half lemon onto yellowed ivory to whiten.

To polish

almond oil

Almond oil rubbed in with a soft cloth will give a protective gleam to pieces.

To maintain

Ivory is said to benefit from daylight and sunlight.

To clean ornaments

Worcestershire sauce | cooking oil

Apply with a soft cloth and rub well, then rub lightly with cooking oil to preserve the surface.

talc or breadcrumbs or powdered magnesia

Clean cards with any of these powders. Do not use an eraser or cards will become sticky.