Jute - also called jute, corcoro or Calcutta hemp - is a natural fiber from which clothes, suitcases and pieces of furniture are produced. Jute rugs are among the softest in the world and have natural shiny and golden reflections. Jute can also be dyed with a myriad of colors to give different motifs and designs to carpets. Sometimes, some carpet manufacturers combine jute with synthetic fibers to make their products more durable. Over time, however, jute rugs can become discolored, stained and moldy, so it's important to know how to clean them with proper care.
Steps
Step 1. Use a soft brush and a little water to promptly remove stains
If you have spilled a substance on the carpet, it is best to intervene immediately, before it penetrates through the fibers of the jute.
Step 2. Vacuum the carpet once a week to prevent dirt from accumulating between the fibers
Remove dust from both sides of the carpet and also from the floor below.
Step 3. Dry clean the carpet with a powder detergent
After spreading the product on the carpet, penetrate it between the fibers with a stiff bristle brush. When finished, shake the carpet or vacuum it. Ask for advice at a carpet store or search online to find a jute carpet cleaning kit that contains a cleaning powder, stain remover, and brush.
Step 4. Remove solid matter stains with a butter knife
Scrub the dirt off and then brush the area with a stiff bristled brush. Finally, remove the residues with the vacuum cleaner.
Step 5. If you have spilled any liquid on the carpet, dab it promptly
Do not rub so as not to expand the stain. Try using sparkling water to neutralize the action of acidic liquids, such as red wine or tomato sauce.
Step 6. Immediately dry the carpet with the hair dryer
Alternatively, you can put it in front of a fan.
Step 7. Remove mold from jute rugs
Mix one part bleach with six parts water in a spray bottle. Test the anti-mold solution on an area of the carpet that is normally hidden from view. If it becomes discolored, dilute the bleach further and try again. When the mixture is properly diluted, spray it on the mold, then run a soft-bristled brush over the carpet. Leave the anti-mold to work for 10 minutes, then dry the carpet with a clean rag.
Step 8. Treat jute rugs with a fabric waterproofer
The task of waterproofing products is to create a barrier that reduces the absorbency of the fibers, protecting them from stains. If you spill a liquid on the carpet, it will penetrate more slowly between the fibers after the waterproofing treatment, so you will have time to absorb it by dabbing it.
Step 9. Finished
Advice
- Test any type of product on an area that is generally hidden from view so as not to risk damaging the carpet.
- If part of the carpet becomes discolored as you remove a stain, you may want to consider treating the entire carpet the same way to give it an even color.
- If mold is a persistent problem, move the carpet to a drier area or use it only during the summer season.
- Try using chalk to even out carpet colors if a part has faded after using a cleaning product to remove a stain. It is an alternative to the hypothesis of treating the rest of the carpet in the same way to give it a uniform shade.
Warnings
- Do not scrub jute rugs hard when using the brush or rag to avoid fraying the fibers.
- Water can seriously damage jute, so don't clean carpets with steam or a liquid detergent.
- Do not use a common detergent to clean jute rugs as they may become discolored.
