Carpet Beating Works: 1901

 

Carpet Beating Works. Broomhall Street. 1901

Photo: SALS RB1901AD35

This advert from a 1901 trade directory is for the Broomhall Carpet Beating and Cleaning works.  The picture shows men operating a machine holding a carpet, which may have been set up in the street on the corner between Broomhall Street and Hanover Street. The address of Mr. F. Heath listed in this advert is not in Ecclesall Road (as in his 1902 advert) but at 166 Broomhall Street.  Perhaps the company had branches in Ecclesall and Broomhall.

In the days before the vacuum cleaner it was difficult to clean a carpet deeply.  Brushing or sweeping a carpet doesn’t remove the dust at the bottom of the pile.  It was common practice to hit a carpet with a rubber hammer to get the dust out and this may be what the men in the drawing are doing.

F. Heath is also a cabinet maker and upholsterer.  The company is patronised by the Right Honourable the Earl of Wharncliffe.  The rest of the advert reads:

“All kinds of cleaning and dyeing done.  Feather beds cleaned and purified from 6 shillings each.  Ticks cleaned and glazed from 2 shillings each. New ticks made to order. Hair mattresses remade and ticks cleaned.” 

I’d love to know what a tick actually was.

 See 1902 advert for carpet beating works