The History of Floor Cloths

Floor Cloth by Sassasfras Creek Originals

The history of floor cloths is fascinating to me, as is everything about how our
Colonial ancestors lived. They look complicated, but they are more time consuming than difficult. You can be as simple or elaborate as you want depending on your skill level.

Historians believe their history began as early as the Renaissance in France or Italy. They started as table coverings but leave it to those ingenious colonial Americans, they took it to the next level! Early Americans used old ships sails (“waste not, want not”) to paint designs with oil based paints to produce a cloth that was large enough to cover whole rooms of their houses.  Hence the name “oyl cloth”). They were easy to clean, took muddy boots, children, pets, and any other daily wear and tear that could be thrown their way. They kept cold drafts from coming through cracks in your floor. They were cool to walk on barefoot in the summer time. And when they wore out, you could easily make another!

Floor Cloth by Sassafras Creek Originals

Today, it is easier than ever to make your own with the wonderful latex paints and tools we have available. I made mine from scratch with a large roll of cotton canvas from an art supply store.  I had to prime mine with a primer, but you can buy pre-primed canvas at Hobby Lobby. Buy some latex porch and floor paint, figure out your design and buy lots of frog tape! Start simple with maybe a checkerboard pattern or buy some stencils and stencil one. Stenciled floorcloths were especially popular in the early 19th century and were found in taverns and homes throughout New England. I buy all of my stencils from mbhistoricdecor.com. They have exact replicas of 18th and 19th century stencils.

There are all sorts of detailed web sites showing you how to make your own so get started! You’ll be amazed at what you can do! Make a small one and put it in front of the kitchen sink, or if you can’t fit a rug under your doors, put a floor cloth there. You’ll be walking in the footsteps of your ancestors!

 

I made this floor cloth about 20 years ago. They just get better with age!