OLD PARLIAMENT HOUSE AND CURTILAGE HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2008–2013

9. Housekeeping Permitted Action Schedule
Part C – Implementation Tools
126 Old Parliament House and Curtilage Heritage Management Plan 2008–2013
■■Follow this by a wiping over with a damp cloth wet in clear water.
■■Dry the area with a third dry, clean rag.
■■Removing scuff marks (to be carried out as required). Use a pencil eraser and gently
rub across the black mark. Be sure to sweep up any eraser residue after you have
finished. Do not use white spirits on the parquetry or rubber floors.
5.1.4. Floor scrubbing/buffing/-except for tiles (to be carried out as little as possible)
■■Mechanical floor scrubbing and polishing should not be necessary if the floor is correctly maintained
and regularly cleaned. Buffing causes abrasive damage to the floor finish causing it to wear faster.
■■The parquetry floor in King’s Hall may be buffed in preparation for special events but
this should not be a regular exercise. The following steps should be taken.
■■Thorough vacuum and damp mop to remove all particulate matter.
■■Apply a small amount of Peerless Gemini Acrylic floor finish with cotton applicators and buff.
5.2 FLOORING: CARPET
5.2.1 Removing loose dirt and grit
■■Full vacuum of entire area (To be carried out daily in high traffic areas and monthly in other locations)
■■Use a low suction vacuum cleaner to work gently and systematically over the whole area.
■■Vigorous rubbing of the surface should be avoided as it abrades the pile of the carpet.
■■Furniture should be protected from knocks from the vacuum by placing a piece
of thick felt around the edges of the vacuum head and body.
■■Care must be taken with the rubber cords on vacuum cleaners, as they tend to catch items,
scuffing and abrading the surface. The use of backpack vacuums is preferred.
5.2.2. Spot treatment of wet spills (to be carried out as needed)
■■Sponge up the excess liquid immediately with a dry clean sponge. A low suction
water vacuum could also be used in this instance if available.
■■Rinse the area with clean warm water applied with a clean sponge with a dabbing action.
■■When the area appears clean all excess water should be mopped up with a
new clean dry micro fibre cloth and clean white cotton rags.
■■Water rings should not occur on the carpet if periodic vacuuming has been carried out effectively.
5.3.3. Spot treatment of stains and heavy soiling (to be carried out as needed)
■■Removal of mud from carpet.
■■Cordon off area to prevent mud being spread further.
■■Allow mud to dry and use vacuum cleaner to remove it from the surface.
■■Removal of dry spot stains.
■■Be sure that the stain you are about to remove is new (post 1988) (contact the
Heritage Section if unsure). Old stains should not be removed.
■■Thoroughly vacuum the area before you begin (this will minimise water staining).
■■Make up a dilute solution of non-ionic detergent.
■■Wet a small micro fibre cloth in the solution and carefully dab it onto the surface - avoid saturating the area.
■■Rinse the micro fibre cloth regularly.
■■Once the area appears clean, use a new micro fibre cloth and repeat
the same process using clean warm water only.
■■Once the area has been rinsed, take a third dry clean micro fibre cloth or clean
white cotton cloth and remove as much excess water as possible.