I have written a post about this before, but I thought I'd repeat it, since I know this is so exotic to those outside of Finland.
Most cities in Finland have free places where people can wash their carpets. Those have metallic tubs with a wooden counter. Cold water comes from hoses and the used water runs to the citys sewer system. There is also huge amount of wooden racks where the carpets can be left to drip dry.
This time I went to the rug washing place together with A. The living room carpets is so heavy when wet, I could have never handled it alone. We also washed the rag rugs from the conservatory, finally. There were lots of people at the washing place, and I did not want to bother them by taking that many photos, but check my old post about rug washing, it's from the exact same place.
how interesting! Is it an old custom that persevered or are Fin's just really into their rugs?
ReplyDeleteThis is a very old custom, people used to wash their rugs on lakes and sea before, now that is mostly forbidden and cities provide places to wash the rugs without polluting the natural water. I doubt Finns are any more into their rugs than others, but we do not have wall-to-wall carpets usually so these sort of throw rugs are possible to wash like this. Also most houses have a carpet beating racks on their yard, I don't think those are either that common elsewhere.
DeleteActually come to think of this, maybe the reason we wash and beat our carpets is because the carpets we usually have had are different types of smallish and cheap rag rugs and these sort of rugs have been easier to handle than very big plush carpets. I would not even consider washing a giant wool plush carpet.
Amazing! I want to go to Finland and see this strange phenomenon! I wonder if it goes on anywhere else?
ReplyDeleteAt least I have not seen this anywhere else. What is also amazing is that washing the rugs is fun :)
DeleteAnother nice tradition from Finland! You're making me want to come there more and more all the time. :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome, what an odd things Finland has to offer for the tourists :D
DeleteThis is so cool! We need this over here to. I can only remember my grandmother hanging out her rugs on a clothesline and then she would beat the dust and dirt out of it.
ReplyDeleteThat sort of beating the carpets is very common here, few of my neighbours beat their carpets weekly as a part of their weekly cleaning. I have not bothered to do that myself.
DeleteI didn't realize that washing carpets is such an exotic thing to do :D I have to admit I have no idea what people do elsewhere - do they buy new carpets every year or let someone else clean them or what...?
ReplyDeleteWe don't beat our carpets though, just vacuum them and let them get some fresh air outside. I hear beating is not good for the carpets.
At least those with wall-to-wall carpets can have a carpet cleaner come to do the washing with some water vacuum thingy.
DeleteWe don't beat them either, except really rarely (once a year maybe). I've also heard the beating is not so good, and I believe it isn't for example to the handmade turkish rugs.