How to Clean a Jute Area Rug

This natural plant based fiber requires a special kind of care.

Jute rugs are an eco-friendly and biodegradable addition for the environmentally conscious home. Comprised of plant fibers, this strong natural material rivals cotton in use and importance. If you have a jute rug in your home it’s important to keep it clean, though conventional cleaning methods don’t apply when it comes to jute as water can easily break it down and destroy it. Keeping this in mind, cleaning jute is actually rather simple if you’re careful.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic utensil
• Vacuum cleaner with brush attachment
• Clean cloth
• Club soda
• Mild dish or laundry detergent

Instructions

1. Shake your jute rug outside to remove loose dirt particles. Tap on it gently to help free any dirt trapped within the fibers.

2. Scrape away areas of dried food and dirt with a dull plastic utensil to loosen their bond to the fibers making them easier to vacuum up.

3. Vacuum over the rug to remove stubborn dirt and dust that didn’t come off when you shook it. Use the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner.

4. Dampen a clean cloth with club soda and gently wipe away stains or apply a small amount of a mild dish or laundry detergent to a clean damp cloth. Be sure to wring out the cloth well to avoid exposing the rug to excess moisture.

5. Rotate your rug by flipping it over at least every six months to help protect it and keep it from becoming damaged.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not place jute rugs in areas where they can become exposed to moisture such as bathrooms or kitchens.

• Do not steam clean your jute rug as this will cause it to pucker.

References

• Natural Area Rugs: FAQs and More.
• Sisal Rugs Direct: Cleaning and Care: Natural Jute Rugs
• The Flooring Lady: Jute Rugs