Snow cleaning your rugs is an old homemaker’s tip
Sara Idenfors
_
You could call it a dry cleaning method without the chemicals—a stopgap before you can scrub your rag rugs with soap outdoors again.
If you have snow, this is a great seasonal cleaning tip. Here in Vilhelmina, we have plenty of snow—usually right through the beginning of May. And up in the mountains, ski races used to be held on Midsummer’s Eve in the old days. These days, we usually celebrate Sweden’s National Day on June 6 by opening the road; that is, by June 6, the snowplow crews have managed to clear the road over Stekenjokk so it is passable again. So there is no rush here, although it should be said that this works best with dry, cold snow.
It is also essential that the ground underneath is frozen, so that dirt from the ground does not get into the rug. If you have only a little snow, you can lay the rug out on a patio floor and shovel snow over it.
Do not use this method for antiques, genuine rugs, or other very valuable textiles. These should be handled by experts. This method is for your everyday rugs.
Do this:
1. Roll up your rugs and take them outside to a suitable place. Bring a broom.
2. Shake the rugs well, then place them in the snow. If the rug has a top and bottom, place the top—the side you walk on—facing down toward the snow. Rag rugs can be “done on both sides.”
3. Walk across the rug so that snow gets into it, but make sure there is nothing sharp or dirty underneath. (If possible, you can leave the rug lying in the snow for an hour or two.)
4. Turn the rug over and repeat if it is a rag rug.
5. Brush off the snow with a broom. Work the broom a little so that it pulls out both the snow AND the dirt. Turn the rug over and repeat until you are satisfied.
6. Shake off the rug and beat it a couple of times with the broom.
Since most of the snow comes out of the rug when you beat or shake it, it will not be particularly wet when you bring it inside.
If you have a fine parquet floor, you should still hang the rug up to dry for a while before putting it back. You will notice that the snow you beat or brush off the rug is discolored, which is a good indication that the method works.
Unless something unexpected happens, this cleaning will last all the way until spring, when it is once again time to scrub rugs on the jetty. It feels good to bring a box of clean, beautiful rugs back inside—and without any added chemicals, too.
____________________________________________________________________________
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use this method for all types of rugs?
No, this method should only be used for utility rugs, not for antique, genuine rugs or other valuable textiles. Such rugs should be handled by experts.
2. What do I need to consider when cleaning the rug with snow?
Make sure the ground is frozen to avoid dirt from the ground. Place the rug with the top side facing down on the snow and walk over it to work the snow into the rug. Brush off the snow with a broom and repeat until you are satisfied with the result.
3. Does the rug get wet when I use this method?
The rug will not get particularly wet, since most of the snow comes out when you beat and shake it. Even so, it may be a good idea to hang the rug up to dry for a while before putting it back, especially if you have a fine parquet floor.