Volume 12 , Issue 39

Home Comfort Cookbook - Damp Cellars

Maybe this little HOme Comfort tip could still be useful today, huh? It is to eliminate the habitual dampness of cellars, potato houses, etc.

Damp Cellars -- To eliminate the habitual dampness of cellars, potato houses, etc., obtain from any druggist one pound calcium chloride and divide the package into three or four fruit cans. Leave the cans open and place them in unmolested positions in the cellar. The moisture in the air will be attracted to and accumulated by the chloride.

When the water accumulated covers the chloride, do not discard it, but place the cans over a strong fire and evaporate the contents of the can to dryness. The chloride will re-crystalize and the cans may be placed back in the cellar.

Moldy cellars may be eliminated with a little care and attention. If the cellar walls have a tendency to develop mold, prepare a quantity of unslacked lime finely pulverized, which is then blown onto the walls dampened sufficiently to cause the lime to stick. The lime slacks upon contact with the water and kills mold plant, entirely eliminating it, and if the cellar is kept dry, it will not return.

Care should be taken to blow the lime into every crack and crevice to insure a thorough job. Allow the lime to remain a day or so, then wash the walls removing it and air the cellar well, warming it with several hot stones to drive out the moisture.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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