Name/Title
Scouring RushEntry/Object ID
100439Scope and Content
Note: The kind used by Sarah Wells to brighten kitchen ware.
(AI) This is a dried bundle of scouring rush (Equisetum hyemale), also commonly known as rough horsetail or pewterwort.
How It Was Used
Natural Scrubbing Pad: Scouring rush stems accumulate a very high concentration of natural silica granules within their cell walls, giving the dried plant a rough, sandpaper-like texture.
Cleaning Kitchenware: As noted on the handwritten tag ("...used by Sarah Wells to brighten kitchen..."), early American settlers and homesteaders used bound bundles of these plants as abrasive scouring tools to scrub, polish, and remove tarnish or burnt residue from kitchenware—especially pewter, tin, copper, and wooden utensils.
Historic Fine Sander: Craftsmen and cabinetmakers also used dried scouring rush stems as fine natural sandpaper to polish hardwoods, bone, and musical instrument reeds.
