If you’re here it’s because you most certainly want to buy a jute rug for your home, but aren’t sure which one to buy…
Jute rugs can be the best or the worst type of rug for your home depending on the type of jute rug you choose, the traffic it will have and more things you should have in mind.
Because what people don’t know is that there are some care and maintenance considerations that make this type of rugs ideal for some places but not for others.
Don’t get me wrong, jute rugs are great to have. I’m just asking you to wait and before buying it, be aware of all the pros and cons. Let me help you make an informed decision you won’t regret!
And if you want to learn what other types of natural fiber rugs exist, you can read it here.
What is jute?
First, you need to really know what jute is and where it comes from.
Let’s start by stating the obvious: a jute rug is one of the most common natural fiber rug types that exist nowadays.
This material comes from a plant that grows in warm and humid places like India. It is very similar to the hemp plant when its growing, as it has a shiny and soft fiber. And in terms of popularity, it has increased so much, it stands second in place, right after cotton.
It is widely used all around the world to make burlaps, twines and rugs, due to is durability and price.
Especially in rugs, you can find it as the main fiber or used for the backing material.
How is jute made?
The jute plant is harvested, and the fiber used is the outer part of the stem or ribbon. For this fiber to be easily extracted, the jute stalks need to be bundled and soaked into slow running water for about 20 days to soften. Once the fibers are separated, they are washed and dried.
Finally, the dried jute fibers are used alone or blended with other materials to make ropes and twines. From there, all jute rugs and other jute products are made.
Is jute the right rug material for you?
As we said ealier, jute rugs are made from natural, soft and durable fibers. These qualities makes it seem quite perfect for the job, doesn’t it?
I would be lying if I said they’re no good. They’re great (as will see in a second) but there are also some downsides that you should also have in mind when buying a jute rug.
Here we list some of the pros and cons to make it easier for you to decide.
Pros
– It can be pretty cheap
– It’s easy and quick to grow and produce
– Eco-friendly: this is mainly due to being a natural fiber that requires very little or none additives to grow, and therefore, it is also biodegradable. And you can recycle it!
– Durable: if properly maintained and placed in the right place, jute rugs can last forever. So much you can get tired of them!
Cons
With all this cons we don’t intend to discourage you to buy jute rugs (I mean, I just bought one for my house!). Just buy the right rug, for the right place. And the only way to do so is to have all these things in mind!
– Looses strength when soaked in water: it is widely known that jute shouldn’t be soaked in water as it can easily deteriorate to the point where you have to thow it away cause it starts to smell and rot. This is one of the main reasons why jute is usually mixed with other fibers such as polyester and cotton, to make it a bit stronger and increase its durability.
– Very absorbent material: its natural fibers tend to absorb all types of odors and it can be pretty difficult to take them out! Especially pet odors such as urine.
– Easily browns and yellows: this happens when jute gets wet and it isn’t something easy to correct (not to say, even impossible!). You can try to prevent this by avoiding humidity and water around your jute rug.
– They desintegrate, shed and bristle easily: as jute rugs are made of dried natural fibers, they tend to rot faster than other fibers and fall apart easily. When this happpens, there’s nothing you can do to save it.
CAUTION!
Wool rugs usually have jute backing and if you don’t know this, you won’t take the precautions that jute needs and that’s a problem. Jute backings tend to trap all types of dirt and humidity, causing the wool to brown.
And last but not least, remember that almost all problems regarding jute rugs are very tough to correct. The good thing is, they can be pretty cheap so it will be easier to replace them if needed!
Where to place a jute rug at home
Jute rugs don’t work well with…
– When blended with a softer material such as chenille, it works great for your kid’s playroom.
– They work better in low-traffic areas, such as bedrooms and offices. You could place them in higher-traffic areas such as hallways and entries but the won’t last as long as they will in your bedroom… and they won’t definitely stay as pretty!
– Living rooms may be one of the best places to put them as they add a cozy feeling and the material absorbs well the noise and with everyone walking around it may help with that problem.
Jute rugs don’t work well with…
– Homes where there are pets which aren’t trained. Pet urine is one of the most difficult smells to get out of jute rugs and the moisture will definitely ruin it. Beware if this is your case! Or place it in a room where you are absolutely sure your pet won’t enter.
– Dining rooms can be a tricky place to put a jute rug. Food spills and stains happen all the time, especially if you have kids, and stains in jute rugs are hard to clean. If you really want to place it there, buy a jute rug that has been blended with another material, so that it’s easier to clean and maintain, or layer another type of rug on top.
– They aren’t the best option to place outside. As they’re made from plants, you could think they’re great for outdoor areas but not always. Jute won’t work well with humidity and it’s tricky to clean. If you end up placing a jute rug outside, the best place is near a fire pit, as its natural oils makes them fire resistant.
How to decor a jute rug at home
Jute rugs are great for decorating your home, whether it’s your living room or a bedroom. Due to their handwoven fibers, they provide a very versatile and raw textured style to your home.
You can find them dyed with multiple colors but they are most likely left with its original tanned color, and that’s what makes them easy to go with anything. They work well with almost any style and home decor!
It is usually used to add a bit of bohemian, free-spirited and cozy feel to the room. But it also works well with contemporary or vintage looks.
One thing’s for sure! It will definitely add a natural element and texture to your room.
Here are some tips on how to decor your jute rug at home:
– Stay with a bleached jute rug if you want a clean and soft effect on your room.
– Go for a dark-edged jute rug to provide a bolder look. This will make your rug to stand out.
– Layer a neutral jute rug with another rug (better if its made of a different material such as cotton) on top and with a bold color to add dimension to the room.
– If you want to make a jute rug stand out because it’s to beautiful not to show it, then place it diagonally on top of another neutral rug.
– If you have dark flooring, add a lighter rug to make the room feel bigger.
How to maintain jute rugs: all the best tips!
Jute rugs have many benefits, as we’ve already seen but what no one tells you is that if not maintained correctly they can start shedding and rot easily, making them undesirable to have at home.
They require regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent having to throw it away.
If you follow the following tips to unkeep you jute rugs the you’ll have gorgeous jute rugs that will last as a lifetime!
1. Vacuuming regularly will remove all the dirt and dust acummulated in high-traffic areas and also suck up all the loose rots and bristles.
2. Steam cleaning will most certainly ruin your jute rug, so try to avoid it at all cost! It can create an excess of moisture which isn’t the best for your rug.
3. Cutting all the loose ends will help avoid tearing it down. Don’t pull any fiber out! This tip will prevent your rug from unraveling even further and falling apart.
4. Shake it at least twice a month. Taking your rug outside and shaking it will loose all the dirt and dust particles. Close your eyes or wear special glasses while doing it.
5. Use a fabric protector to keep it looking great and prevent wearing it out if placed in high-traffic areas.
Now, to really have it deep cleaned, there are other methods you can try to lcean it and leave it looking brand new! You just have to take a look at this article on How to Clean Jute Rugs.
Conclusion
You may have the need for a beautiful rug that will make your room stand out.
It’s true that natural fiber rugs give your home a unique scent and extra coziness. But there are also tricky to have and maintain.
Especially, jute has a lot of pros to take into account: it is very durable, it’s cheap, it’s soft and makes your home look quite cozy and chic. But it can also have major drawbacks as we’ve already seen, as the regular cleaning they need to stay in good conditions.
So when looking for a jute rug to buy, I recommend you have all the things mentioned above in mind. That way you won’t regret the decision you’ll make, either if it means buying one or not.
I know decorating can take time and be a bit frustating, but it is worse to buy something that isn’t that cheap and realising it really isn’t what you needed.
I’m sure you’ll find the best jute rug for your home. Just keep going!