History of Floorcloths

A floorcloth is a hand-painted canvas rug. Floorcloths were very popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They were painted to simulate marbled pavement or patterned tiles. Sometimes they imitated straw matting or Turkish carpet. George Washington himself owned a floorcloth which he used in the White House. He listed it in his 1796 financial disclosure at $14.82 and took it with him when he left the presidency. Because of the frequent requirement for a seamless floorcloth to fit a given space as large as an entire room, floorcloth factories were often built near sail-making centers in seaports and dock lands.

As engine power replaced wind-filled sails, floorcloths were replaced by linoleum and other factory-made floor coverings. However, the presence of floorcloths on tile, hardwood, linoleum and concrete floors is staging an exciting comeback today.

My floorcloths are all created using the finest materials. All the elements that go into their construction are selected with emphasis on flexibility and durability. The designs on a floorcloth from Floorcloths of Arizona are painted on primed canvas with latex paints using various painterly techniques. All my pieces have a 2" hem and, due to the proprietary techniques I have developed, my rugs all lay absolutely flat with no buckling or curling. The final work of art is protected front and back with a clear, matte, acrylic sealer that is impermeable to dirt, stains and ultraviolet rays. When your floorcloth becomes soiled you can wipe it clean with any liquid cleanser. Stubborn spots can be removed with the scratchy side of a sponge. I supply a non-skid pad with all the rugs I sell. Please go to "Custom Galleries" for information on the process of creating a custom rug and on pricing.