Such an odd looking thing, just sitting there by the fire in the parlor at the Vigo County Historical Society, grayish-stone with a metal handle. What is that you say? That unattractive and unadorned piece of stone was what many people used to warm their beds at night and oftentimes would be used to warm their feet while out and about in a sleigh or buggy. The soapstone bed warmer was in favor in the mid-1800s and gradually grew out of favor around the turn of the century.
What exactly is soapstone? In its purest form, soapstone is talc. Yes, the same stone is used to make baby powder. Talc is what gives the stone the characteristic greasy feel for which it is named. Based on the percentage of talc in the stone it could be used for a variety of things. As far back as ancient Egypt, soapstone was used carving scarabs. Native Americans understood that soapstone holds heat extremely well; they carved bowls out of it and cooked food in them.
The heat conductivity of the stone is what made it popular. The stone was so dense that it was able to retain and radiate heat. Most metals absorb heat from the fire and then release it rapidly. Soapstone releases heat very slowly. Another point in its favor versus other stones is that some stones when heated repeatedly will crack and break. Soapstone, with its density, can be reheated over and over with no damage to itself.
The soapstone foot warmers were simply placed near the fire before bedtime and allowed to heat up. They were heated to the point that they could be touched to pick up, but not be able to be held for any length of time. The stone could then be rubbed along the entire mattress to warm it up and then the stone was usually wrapped in a cloth and put at the foot of the bed for a continued slow release of heat throughout the night.
In today’s world, with the high cost of heating, soapstone foot warmers are making a comeback and can be found on the internet for purchase. If you would like to take a firsthand look at this historic piece, you can find it in the upstairs parlor at the Vigo County Historical Museum, 1411 S. Sixth St.
Be a History Maker! There are many ways to contribute to the History Center capital campaign. To learn more, call 812-235-9717 or visit vchsmuseum.org.
FAQs
Soapstone warmers were popular in the mid-1800s and were also used to warm feet for those who rode in a sleigh or buggy during the winter. What is soapstone? In its purest form, it is talc, the same stone used to make baby powder.
What was a bed warmer in the 1800s? ›
A brass bed warmer could take off the chill between the linen sheets. The warmer's hinged cover, decorated with engraved and pierced designs, flips open to fill the pan with hot coals or embers. Bed curtains were drawn closed each night to provide the sleeper with privacy and protection from cold drafts.
How did antique bed warmers work? ›
It consisted of a metal container, usually fitted with a handle and shaped somewhat like a modern frying pan, with a solid or finely perforated lid. The pan would be filled with embers and placed under the covers of a bed, to warm it up or dry it out before use.
When were foot warmers invented? ›
In the 17th, 18th and even early 19th centuries, Foot Warmers or “Foot Stoves” were commonly used. Early foot warmers, such as this one, would hold hot coals or glowing pieces of wood which would push heat out through the holes punched in the side.
Can you microwave soapstone? ›
Second: heat.
In years past the soapstone bed warmer would have been hung by the fireplace or wood stove all day. Today heat it to 105-110 degrees in the oven or even place on a sunny window sill for the day. The only thing we don't recommend is a microwave.
What is an old fashioned bed warmer called? ›
June 18 2021 | Castle History. Castle Object of the Month is the Warming Pan. It is located in the King Henry VIII Bedchamber and would have been used as an early form of bed heating, much like an electric blanket or a hot water bottle today.
How did Victorians keep warm in bed? ›
Thus, cast iron or ceramic bed warmers were slipped under the covers; bed drapes or canopies were hung around the bed, and Victorian sleepers might wear a nightcap—like that worn by Charles Dickens' character Ebeneezer Scrooge. All these helped keep Victorians warm during the night—and could be just as useful today.
Were bed warmers safe? ›
Burns and fires are a risk, though today's blankets are much safer than their early predecessors. Since the late 1980s, electric bedding in the U.S. has been designed to emit much less heat (older models put out higher wattages and contributed to household fires and other problems).
What was put in bed warmers? ›
Warmed stones, coals or smoldering ashes from a fire would have once filled this pan. The hinged lid is punctured by a decorative pattern of holes that allow oxygen to feed the coals and keep them hot.
How does an antique foot warmer work? ›
Some warmers held charcoal, others held hot water. Pottery, tin, and soapstone were the favored materials to conduct the heat. The warmer was kept under the feet, then the legs and feet were tucked into a blanket, providing welcome warmth in a cold carriage or unheated church.
How long do they last? That depends on the kind you get, but most commonly, warmers last between five and eight hours. Basically, one pair should last through one day of outdoor winter activity.
Are foot warmers worth it? ›
No one likes having cold feet. But, socks do not always warm our feet alone, and often we're sat in the fluffiest socks imaginable with toes that feel like ice cubes. If this is you, don't worry! Luckily, foot warmers will keep your feet toasty throughout the day, no matter where you are.
What should you not use on a soapstone? ›
Soapstone is impermeable to heat, acid, and other alkalis and harsh chemicals as an inert material. You can use virtually any soapstone cleaner to care for this beautiful, indelicate product. Still, we recommend avoiding harsh cleaners that could exacerbate skin and sinus irritations in your guests.
Is soapstone heat safe? ›
If you constantly find yourself placing hot materials on kitchen countertops, then a soapstone countertop is ideal for your space. Soapstone countertops are heat resistant. As such, you do not need to worry about discolorations or damage from heat. This makes soapstone countertops ideal in most kitchens.
Does soapstone crack with heat? ›
Soapstone is essentially inert. Neither hot nor cold temperatures will harm the stone. Soapstone does not expand or contract with temperature fluctuations and it will not crack due to these sudden changes. Architectural grade soapstone is practically indestructible.
How did bed warmers not burn the bed? ›
A pan of hot embers drops into the trivet, which stands on a sheet-iron tray. Another sheet of iron is fixed under the woodwork above the fire, so that there is no danger of burning the bed.
How did they warm beds before electricity? ›
Rosenberg Library Museum 67.148. Warming pans, often made of copper, would be filled with embers or hot coals and placed between the bedsheets. The long extended handle made it easy to move the warming pan between the bedsheets to keep warm.
What is a human bed warmer? ›
The bed-warmer is equipped with a thermometer to measure the bed's required temperature of 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit). Holiday Inn said the warmer would be fully dressed and leave the bed before the guest occupied it. They could not confirm if the warmer would shower first, but said hair would be covered.
What is a bed warmer slang? ›
(by extension) a concubine or mistress quotations ▼
