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Angela Possak

Padula Garden, designed and hooked by Angela Possak, Peachland, British Columbia, 2000.

This winter, try setting aside harmful chemicals and clean your rug the old-fashioned way—with snow! Snow cleaning is a traditional method of refreshing tired rugs and was born out of necessity. Our ancestors used to hook rugs to keep their houses warm. Using the snow that fell during the cold season was an inexpensive and handy way to refresh tired rugs. No hauling water involved!

Hand-hooked rugs can be cleaned with fresh, dry, clean snow. A cold day is best, so wait for a snowy day when the temperature is below 25 degrees F. The cold air keeps the snow from gathering too much moisture, so there is less moisture for your rug to absorb.

To read this complete article, please see the November/December 2009 issue of Rug Hooking magazine.