This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Eric McClure. Eric McClure is an editing fellow at wikiHow where he has been editing, researching, and creating content since 2019. A former educator and poet, his work has appeared in Carcinogenic Poetry, Shot Glass Journal, Prairie Margins, and The Rusty Nail. His digital chapbook, The Internet, was also published in TL;DR Magazine. He was the winner of the Paul Carroll award for outstanding achievement in creative writing in 2014, and he was a featured reader at the Poetry Foundation’s Open Door Reading Series in 2015. Eric holds a BA in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and an MEd in secondary education from DePaul University.
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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
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1Use 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.
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2Vacuum 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.
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3Use 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.
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4Scrape solid spills with a dull knife, and then brush with a stiff bristle brush. Follow by vacuuming.
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5Clean 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.
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6Dry any wet spills immediately with a hair dryer or fan.
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7Remove 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.
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8Treat 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.
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9Finished.
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I restore a large jute rug that has been washed in an industrial washing machine?
wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerIf your jute rug has been thoroughly washed in water, the fibers have been permanently damaged. There isn't really anything that you can do short of getting a new one since jute can't get wet. Sorry!
Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.
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QuestionHow do I remove vomit from a jute rug?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerBlot the area with paper towels or a dry towel. Sprinkle the area with baking soda and then blot it again. Then, use a blow dryer to heat the area. Use a vacuum to remove any microscopic residue. If there's still some left, you can try using vinegar to absorb the vomit, but you'll run the risk of staining your rug.Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.
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QuestionHow do I remove red wine from my jute rug without damaging it?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerRed wine and balsamic dressing are the two jute killers. They can't be removed from the fibers of the rug. If you really want to save it and don't mind permanently changing the color, you can try washing it.Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.
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QuestionHow do I get a water stains out of a jute rug?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerOnce water has stained your rug, you can't get it out. As soon as it gets wet, blot the soaked area with paper towels or a dry cloth. Then, use a blow dryer to remove the moisture. If the water dried into the rug though, it's already stained and you can't really undo it.Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.
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QuestionHow do I remove a large stain caused by a tub of taramasalata on a jute rug?.wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerStart by scooping up as much taramasalata as you can. Use a spoon if it's in really big piles or the blunt edge of a knife to scrape up as much as you can. Then, blot the stained area with paper towels or a cloth. Use a blow dryer to heat the area and remove as much moisture as possible. Next, sprinkle baking soda on the surface of the stain and wait 15 minutes. Vacuum the baking soda up and let your rug air dry.Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.
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QuestionCan you clean a jute rug with a carpet cleaner?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerIt’s not a good idea to clean a jute rug with a carpet cleaner, since they work by forcing water into the fibers of the rug. Stick to gentle, low-moisture cleaning methods that are less likely to damage the jute fibers.Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.
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QuestionDo jute rugs need a pad?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerA pad can help prevent your jute rug from slipping around on the floor. However, jute is unlikely to scratch or scuff your floor, so you don’t need one to protect your flooring.Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.
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QuestionCan you steam clean jute rugs?wikiHow Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerwikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerNo, steam cleaning will make the jute wet and damage it. Avoid using steam or any other wet cleaning method on jute.Support wikiHow by unlocking this staff-researched answer.
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QuestionHow do I use chalk to blend rug colors?
Community AnswerYou have to really blend in the chalk. -
QuestionShould I get my rug professionally cleaned?Community AnswerIf the steps listed here do not work, seek professional cleaning.
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.Thanks!
- Water is very damaging to jute carpets. Do not steam clean or use a wet shampoo to clean jute fibers.Thanks!
- Do not use household cleaners on jute rugs as it may cause the fibers to lighten.Thanks!
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
References
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