What Are Rug Beaters?

Rug beaters, also called carpet beaters, carpet whips, clothes beaters, dust beaters & pillow fluffers, were in common use until the vacuum cleaner became affordable during the early 20th century. Carpets, rugs, clothes, cushions & bedding were hung over a clothesline or railing and the dust and dirt was beat out of them. Typically made of wood, rattan, cane, wicker, spring steel or coiled wire, antique rug beaters have become very collectible yet there are few sources of information about them - at the present time.

While we assemble the pictures and information that will appear on this site, you may want to head to your local library and "check out" an identification and value guide book by Linda Campbell Franklin titled " Three Hundred Years of Housekeeping Collectibles ". In addition to descriptions and price listings (from 1992) of 1,500 housekeeping items, it also contains black & white pictures, early catalog descriptions, manufacturer information, and advertisement copy for 35 different antique carpet beaters. Another book, which contains a few examples of wire beaters is " Wire (Everyday Things) " by Suzanne Slesin, Daniel Rozensztroch, Jean-Louis Menard, Gilles de Chabaneix, Stafford Cliff.

Where Can I Find Old Rug Beaters?

Local antique stores, antique malls, estate sales, yard sales, public auctions, and your grandmother's attic are all good places to find old rug beaters. And, on-line auction sites will provide you with some idea of what others are willing to pay for that one unique specimen that is missing from their collection.

BTW, while they might look nice hanging on your walls, those "cute" little cow, pig, rooster, goose, apple, and/or heart shaped rug beaters are almost always "replicas" -- although I don't understand how they can be called replicas when the "originals" never actually existed.