Learning through objects from the Islington Education Library Service’s handling collection
Carpet Beaters, Victorian, Original
Cleaning carpets nowadays might not be an enjoyable task but with the aid of the vacuum cleaner it is a lot easier than it was in the past.
By the middle of the19th century carpets in Britain became cheaper due to new methods of mass production. This meant that more homes had them, and in greater quantity than before. As vacuum cleaners did not become affordable until the early 20th century, carpets either had to be swept or taken outside and beaten to remove dust and dirt. They would be hung over a washing line or railings and it is easy to imagine how difficult, strenuous and unpleasant this task was, especially with very large rugs.
These beaters are made of cane, though some were made of wire, wood or spring steel. The intricately woven head of the beater creates a strong, flat surface that will release dust without damaging the carpet. One beater and a thick piece of cane in the centre of its handle to strengthen it, the other has a core of iron wire.
By the middle of the19th century carpets in Britain became cheaper due to new methods of mass production. This meant that more homes had them, and in greater quantity than before. As vacuum cleaners did not become affordable until the early 20th century, carpets either had to be swept or taken outside and beaten to remove dust and dirt. They would be hung over a washing line or railings and it is easy to imagine how difficult, strenuous and unpleasant this task was, especially with very large rugs.
These beaters are made of cane, though some were made of wire, wood or spring steel. The intricately woven head of the beater creates a strong, flat surface that will release dust without damaging the carpet. One beater and a thick piece of cane in the centre of its handle to strengthen it, the other has a core of iron wire.
Length Of Each:66.5cm
Length Of Each:66.5cm
Cleaning carpets nowadays might not be an enjoyable task but with the aid of the vacuum cleaner it is a lot easier than it was in the past.
By the middle of the19th century carpets in Britain became cheaper due to new methods of mass production. This meant that more homes had them, and in greater quantity than before. As vacuum cleaners did not become affordable until the early 20th century, carpets either had to be swept or taken outside and beaten to remove dust and dirt. They would be hung over a washing line or railings and it is easy to imagine how difficult, strenuous and unpleasant this task was, especially with very large rugs.
These beaters are made of cane, though some were made of wire, wood or spring steel. The intricately woven head of the beater creates a strong, flat surface that will release dust without damaging the carpet. One beater and a thick piece of cane in the centre of its handle to strengthen it, the other has a core of iron wire.
By the middle of the19th century carpets in Britain became cheaper due to new methods of mass production. This meant that more homes had them, and in greater quantity than before. As vacuum cleaners did not become affordable until the early 20th century, carpets either had to be swept or taken outside and beaten to remove dust and dirt. They would be hung over a washing line or railings and it is easy to imagine how difficult, strenuous and unpleasant this task was, especially with very large rugs.
These beaters are made of cane, though some were made of wire, wood or spring steel. The intricately woven head of the beater creates a strong, flat surface that will release dust without damaging the carpet. One beater and a thick piece of cane in the centre of its handle to strengthen it, the other has a core of iron wire.
