The word rusquèr comes from the late Latin rusca (‘bark’), which was the material used to make it. Çò de Joanchiquet de Vilamòs Ecomuseum. Musèu dera Val d'Aran.
The washing, women's work, was done in the rusquèr.
Can Joanchiquet had two, one made of tree bark and other of masonry.
The clothing was placed in the rusquèr and covered with a sheet, on which the cold ashes were placed. Then hot water was poured on it which, when mixed with the ashes, turned into bleach and went through a hole in the bottom. This liquid was collected in a bucket, heated and poured over the laundry again. Finally, the clothes were rinsed in the public sink and allowed to dry.
