How To Clean A Natural Jute Rug

September 11, 2020

Are Jute Rugs Easy to Clean? | The Carpet Cleaning Experts Weigh In

If you're in the market for a new area rug, you might be wondering, are jute rugs easy to clean? Jute rugs, made from the fibers of the jute plant, are tough and durable yet very attractive and soft underfoot. Jute rugs are often considered one of the plushest yet strongest rugs made from natural materials.

Jute rugs are easy to clean and typically require only a standard vacuuming. For heavier stains, a homeowner might use a 50/50 water and white vinegar mixture, or diluted laundry soap and a clean, damp rag. It's also vital to dry cleaned areas quickly, to avoid water stains and residual discoloration.

While jute rugs are easy to clean and don't tend to hold stains or need special care and equipment to maintain their condition over the years, improper care and stain removal can ruin even the most durable rug no matter its material! Before you invest in a jute rug, you might note some tips on what to do, and what to avoid, to keep it clean and remove stains as needed.

A homeowner would also do well to consider how to keep all their home's area rugs, wall-to-wall carpeting, tile, hardwood, and other flooring materials in good condition, to avoid unnecessary stains and cleaning costs. You might also note some vital information about various carpet cleaning methods so you know what to discuss with a carpet cleaning company near you when it is time to schedule a professional carpet cleaning!

How Do You Clean Jute Rugs?

Consider some added details about cleaning jute rugs and ensuring they stay in good condition, and don't hesitate to talk to a carpet cleaning professional near you about the rugs and carpets in your home!

Jute rugs are made with a natural plant fiber, giving them flexibility as well as durability. Natural plant fibers typically mean far fewer chemicals and toxins in the home than rugs made with manmade materials such as polyester or nylon.
For added softness, some jute rugs are mixed with chenille, a natural cotton fiber spun to create a silky finish. Chenille is so soft it's often used for sweaters, scarves, and blankets! When mixed with jute, you have a rug that's durable yet soft and comfortable underfoot.
Jute is naturally thick, more so than sisal or sea grass, making it an excellent choice for busy rooms and highly trafficked hallways.
Despite its durability, jute absorbs moisture somewhat easily. This makes jute rugs a poor choice for outdoor areas or any spot where the rug might get overly damp, such as a laundry room. Trapped moisture can lead to mold and mildew, both difficult to clean from a jute rug.
Because jute rugs are woven, you might use a brush attachment during vacuuming, to pull up trapped and ground-in dirt and other debris. For residual dirt a vacuum can't reach, consider hanging up the rug and brushing it with a stiff-bristled fabric brush.
Avoid using spot cleaners or even standard rug cleaners on jute, as these detergents respond differently to jute than they do other rug fibers.
To address stains on a jute rug, make up a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and warm water or dilute a small amount of laundry detergent in water. Use a clean, damp rag to dab the cleanser onto the stain and another clean rag to dab it off.
Avoid rubbing the detergent into the rug as this can just push the stain even deeper!
As water can stain jute rugs somewhat easily, use a hairdryer on your jute rug right after cleaning it. Avoid leaving any residual rinse water behind!

Can You Wash Jute Rugs?

It's best to avoid getting jute rugs wet as much as possible; even if you do dry them quickly, jute shows water marks and stains somewhat easily. Steam cleaning and standard shampooing are therefore typically out of the question!

However, if you have a beloved jute rug that isn't coming clean with a vinegar and water solution or with diluted laundry detergent, you might ask a carpet cleaning professional about dry cleaning options. Dry cleaning is often used on carpets in tropical areas and high humidity locations, to so they don't stay damp long after shampooing. Some dry cleaning chemicals also get out deep stains and ground-in dirt, and might be an excellent solution for your jute rug cleaning needs.

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Are Jute Rugs Uncomfortable?

As with other rug materials, comfort levels vary according to the thickness of jute, its overall weave, and if it's combined with other materials to add softness. Jute is often combined with chenille, as said, for more softness underfoot. If you need an especially soft yet durable area rug, such as for a child's playroom, choose a jute rug with a high percentage of chenille weave.

Note, too, that many homeowners tend to confuse jute with sisal! Sisal, made from a species of Mexican agave, is stiff and durable. However, sisal rugs are usually somewhat scratchy and uncomfortable. Both sisal and jute offer a natural tan color that works well with many décor options, but for the most comfort underfoot, opt for a soft jute and chenille blend.

If you are choosing between the two materials, you might wonder is jute or sisal easier to clean? Note that sisal fibers are naturally more absorbent than jute, so sisal rugs might hold dirt and show stains more readily than jute. For a rug that's easier to clean and less likely to show stains, opt for jute.

Some Simple Floor Care and Cleaning Tips

Cleaning and caring for your home's flooring properly ensures those floors are always in good condition and looking their best. You can also extend their lifespan and help avoid otherwise unnecessary professional cleaning fees.

One vital tip for homeowners is that you cannot vacuum your carpets and mop tile and stone floors often enough! Some homeowners mistakenly assume that daily vacuuming somehow damages carpet fibers and that mopping dries floors, but this is untrue generally; daily vacuuming and mopping help remove dirt, dust, pet hair, and other debris. Regular vacuuming also "fluffs up" carpet fibers, keeping them looking like new and helping to reduce trapped dirt and dust.

Another common mistake homeowners make is to neglect changing their vacuum filter and emptying its canister or replacing the bag regularly, and using a dirty mop on tile and stone floors! Clean vacuum filters help trap and lock more dirt and debris, as do fresh bags or an empty canister. Using a dirty mop on your floors also means just spreading that dirt around!

Using the wrong cleansers and stain removers for your home's carpets and floors is another common mistake. Note carpeting materials before buying stain remover or spot shampooers; if you're not sure its material, choose something made for delicate silk blend fibers, to ensure you don't strip carpet colors or damage fibers. If you're not sure the right floor cleaner for your home's tile and stone, use a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water and then rinse with fresh, clean water several times after mopping.

Regular professional cleaning also keeps flooring in good condition. Layers of untouched dirt and grime create an unsightly look while also matting down carpet fibers and wearing away stone and tile surfaces. Dirt and debris also work their way into stone and tile pits and pores, getting more ground in the longer they're ignored. Invest in regular, professional floor cleaning every year or two years at the most.

What Is the Best Rug Cleaning Method?

Homeowners today have more carpet cleaning options than ever, which ensures they'll find an effective yet affordable method for their home but which can make it difficult to find the right method from all those choices! Traditional shampooing is still sometimes chosen for severely stained or overly filthy carpets as standard detergents loosen more dirt than many other methods. However, shampooing requires lots of rinse water as any leftover detergents becomes sticky and attracts more dirt than before.

Steam cleaning is an excellent option for anyone bothered by carpet shampoo smells and steaming is an excellent way to restore matted down carpet fibers. Steam also kills more germs, bacteria, mold spores, and other irritants than many other carpet cleaning methods.

Dry cleaning is often chosen in high humidity areas as this method requires very little water for application or rinsing, but dry cleaning chemical odors can be bothersome to some homeowners. Bonnet cleaning provides light surface cleaning that doesn't remove deep down dirt but is an excellent, affordable option for lightly trafficked homes and for keeping carpets looking good between deep cleaning.