Introduction
Jute rugs add a beachy, casual flair I love, but they can be a little tricky to clean.
Jute, a natural plant fiber taken from the inner bark of multiple species of Corchorus plants, doesn't hold up to traditional wet or steam carpet cleaning. That's not surprising, since jute's biodegradability is a major draw. In addition to rugs, jute is used for making environmentally-friendly packaging materials like burlap sacks and cordage, as well as erosion-control implements like sandbags.
But back to jute rugs. If you're not supposed to get it wet, how in the heck do you clean it?
Luckily, I've found a few successful "dry-clean" methods that are also safe for your rug. I've learned it's OK to spot clean it a bit, too, but avoid wetting large areas of the rug. Jute can discolor, and it's a bit like a sponge. It takes a long time to dry, and no one wants a moldy, smelly rug.
I try to clean up spills quickly and vacuum periodically (especially underneath where dirt falls through). This helped me keep my jute rug looking great for years. Vacuuming will suck up some of the plant fibers, so don't be alarmed the first time you look in the vacuum canister. If that's a dealbreaker, shaking out a jute rug works great, too.
Here's my simple five-step process for cleaning a jute rug:
Tools Required
Materials Required
- Dry carpet cleaner or baking soda
- Mild detergent or natural fiber soap
- White vinegar
Ally Childress for Family Handyman
