Rug beater, ca. 1900

Wire, wood

Before the introduction of electric vacuums and practical carpet sweepers, rugs were difficult to clean. They were taken up, hung outside on the clothes line, and then beaten with a rug beater to rid them of as much dirt as possible before they were returned to the house.

Gift of the Andrew Bennett family, Peoria, IL (1990.1.3)

Other | metal

© Illinois State Museum 31-Dec-96