Clean a Jute Rug

Jute, also called hessian or burlap, is a natural fiber found in clothing, luggage, and home furnishings. Jute carpets have some of the softest fibers in the world and feature a gold shine in their natural state. Jute may also be dyed a myriad of colors to provide different shapes and patterns in colorful carpets. Some manufacturers may mix jute fibers with synthetic fibers to create a stronger, more durable carpet. However, jute rugs can become discolored, stained, or mildewed and you may need to know how to clean a jute rug with proper care.

Steps

  1. Use a soft bristle brush and a dab of water to immediately clean spills on a jute carpet. Once a spill is set, it may become a stain and become difficult to remove.
  2. Vacuum a jute rug twice a week to prevent dirt accumulating in the jute fibers. Vacuum both sides of the rug as well as the floor underneath.
  3. Use a dry-cleaning powder to clean a jute carpet. Sprinkle the dry-cleaning powder onto the carpet, and use a stiff bristle brush to clean the jute fibers. Shake out the rug or vacuum as needed. A dry-cleaning kit may be available at carpet stores or online that contains the dry-cleaning powder, a spot remover, and a brush.
  4. Scrape solid spills with a dull knife, and then brush with a stiff bristle brush. Follow by vacuuming.
  5. Clean liquid spills on a jute rug by blotting. Avoid rubbing the spill. Club soda may be used to neutralize acidic spills such as red wine or tomato sauce.
  6. Dry any wet spills immediately with a hair dryer or fan.
  7. Remove mildew from a jute rug. Mix 1 part bleach to 6 parts water in a spray bottle. Test the mixture in an unseen spot on the rug. If discoloration occurs, dilute the spray and retest. Once the mixture is satisfactory, spray a little on the mildew, and work in with a soft brush. Rub with a dry cloth after 10 minutes.
  8. Treat jute rugs with a jute sealer. This can minimize the jute fibers' absorbency and protect the rug from stains. This will allow you a little more time to get any spills cleaned up before they set into the rug.
  9. Finished.

Tips

  • Test any cleaner in an inconspicuous spot on the jute rug before applying it to the whole carpet.
  • If one area of a rug becomes lightened by the cleaning of a stain, consider lightening the whole rug.
  • If mildew is a persistent problem on a jute rug, move the rug to a drier location or use the rug only during dry seasons.
  • Use chalks to blend rug colors. This is an alternative to lighting the entire rug when stain or cleaner has lightened or bleached rug fibers.

Warnings

  • Do not rub a jute rug too aggressively with either a cloth or a brush. It can be damaging to jute rug care since it may cause the fibers to fray.
  • Water is very damaging to jute carpets. Do not steam clean or use a wet shampoo to clean jute fibers.
  • Do not use household cleaners on jute rugs as it may cause the fibers to lighten.

Things You'll Need

  • Soft bristle brush
  • Cloths
  • Vacuum
  • Stiff bristle brush
  • Jute rug dry cleaner
  • Dull knife
  • Club soda
  • Hair dryer or fan
  • Bleach
  • Water
  • Spray bottle
  • Jute sealer

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Sources and Citations

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