How to Clean Jute Rugs

Jute rugs bring warmth, texture, and natural style to any space, but keeping them clean requires a little extra care. Because jute fibers don’t handle water well, knowing how to clean spills and maintain your rug properly is key to preserving its look and longevity. Here’s everything you need to know.

How to clean a jute rug

Jute rugs are easy to maintain, but they require a dry, low-moisture approach. Vacuum regularly without a beater bar to remove loose dirt. Blot spills immediately — never rub! — and use a dry cleaning powder for deeper cleaning. Avoid soaking, steam cleaning, or shampooing. Always dry the rug quickly with airflow to prevent damage.

Keep reading for more in-depth advice and tips to keep your jute rugs looking beautiful.

What is jute and why does it require special care?

Jute is a natural plant fiber known for its strength, texture, and eco-friendly appeal. It’s commonly used in rugs because it’s durable underfoot while maintaining a soft, organic look. Learn more about the benefits of jute rugs here.

What makes jute unique also makes it sensitive to cleaning methods. Its fibers are highly absorbent, which means they don’t handle excess moisture well. Too much water can cause swelling, discoloration, or weakening of the weave. That’s why jute rugs require a low-moisture, gentle cleaning approach to maintain their structure and appearance over time.

Can you get jute rugs wet?

When it comes to jute, water is only your friend in small doses. Drenching or hosing down your jute rug could lead to further damage, so leave the carpet shampoo to synthetics. Instead, try these tricks:

Spot cleaning jute rugs

An effective method for cleaning your jute rug is the spot cleaning method. Here’s how it works:

Press firmly into your rug with clean, white cloth or paper towels immediately after the spill takes place, working from the outside of the spill inward to avoid spreading. Continue blotting — blot, do not rub — until no moisture transfers to the towel.
For solid spills, scrape up solids with a dull knife or nail file. Then follow step # 1.
For red wine and tomato sauce, dab with a white cloth dampened with club soda to neutralize the spill and remove any possible stain.
Let dry. Many times the stain disappears. If it doesn’t, try cleaning with a cloth dampened with mild soap, or use our Sisal Life Cleaner spot remover. Dry immediately with a hairdryer or fan.

How to spot clean jute rugs with a dry cleaning powder

Before applying the carpet cleaner, test it on a non-conspicuous spot of your jute rug.
Then, shake the dry carpet cleaner onto the spill until covered. If you need a cleaner, our cleaner-of-choice is the Host Cleaning Kit.
Brush the dry carpet cleaner through the jute rug in all directions.
After brushing, pack the area with another handful of the dry carpet cleaner.
Wait until the area is completely dry. For wet spills, this may take overnight. The carpet cleaner will lighten to a pale, gold color as it dries. Once dry, vacuum your jute rug thoroughly.

No matter what comes in contact with your jute rug, it’s important to control the amount of moisture it encounters as best you can — especially during cleaning. You should never steam clean, use wet shampoo, or wash your jute rug — and don’t use any other method that involves water saturation on a natural fiber rug, either. We recommend that you use a dry cleaning process, like the Host Cleaning Kit mentioned above.

How to clean up after pet accidents

Sometimes our furry friends decide to make do on the carpet floor. Don’t worry; when you have a jute rug, you can easily clean pet stains like urine, feces, and vomit from its surface. Here’s how:

Urine. Blot up as much of the spot as possible by pressing firmly with clean, white paper or cloth towels, working from the outside of the spot inward to avoid spreading. To neutralize odor, mix ¼ cup of white vinegar with ¼ cup of water. Alternately dab a towel dampened in the solution with a dry towel. Then, follow spot cleaning directions. If the odor remains, try sprinkling baking soda onto the rug and let it sit overnight. This should help absorb any lingering odors.
Feces or vomit. Scrape up any excess working from the outside of the spot inward to avoid spreading. Then, follow the procedure for spot cleaning.

How to clean the border of a jute rug

For routine maintenance of bound jute area rugs with woven cotton, canvas, or linen borders, vacuum the edge carefully. Don’t let your vacuum sit on top of the binding or catch the corner of the rug. These missteps could damage the rug’s binding and loosen the jute fibers.

We recommend vacuuming in the direction that the binding is sewn, so as not to pull the binding away from the rug. Do not use a beater bar when vacuuming.

If excessive soiling or spills occur on the binding, our Sisal Life Cleaner spot remover works well to clean things quickly. To maintain one of our premium leather bindings, simply wipe the surface with a damp (not wet) cloth or sponge, or use a leather cleaner and conditioner.

How to maintain jute rugs

Regular vacuuming

Regular vacuuming is the best way to care for your jute rug. Visible, loose dirt and dust should be vacuumed with a strong suction vacuum. Do not use a beater bar. Vacuum your rug from different directions, passing over the area several times.

Although the need may not be visible, frequent and regular vacuuming will increase your jute rug’s life by preventing soil build-up. It will also help eliminate stains caused when spilled liquids dissolve and soil accumulates.

Apply light dampening

If exposed to dryness or low humidity, apply minimum moisture by spraying, clean mopping, damp brushing, or using any device that supplies a light and even application of clean water.

This light dampening can help eliminate minor bubbling and looseness, as it’s normal for carpet to tighten up slightly as it dries. Don’t worry, jute rugs dry quickly. Under no conditions should your jute carpet be saturated. If drenched, your jute rug can take on undesirable dimensional changes and can stain from the different dyes in the underlay.

Make sure your jute rug is vacuumed and clean before applying any amount of moisture, since dirt in the matting might stain if it gets wet and then dissolves.

Use a fabric protector

We recommend you treat all natural fiber area rugs — including jute — with our Sisal Life Protector, which helps to decrease absorbance and lengthen the time between cleanings. We can apply the protector for you, or you can purchase a 22-ounce, “Do-It-Yourself” Sisal Life Protector spray bottle. Our protector is an acrylic polymer fabric and textile protector, like Scotch Guard — but for natural fibers.

Natural fibers and other fabrics treated with this protector will repel water and resist virtually all cold liquid spills, and even oily soil. Our protector does not contain any Ozone-depleting chemicals.

We highly recommend treating natural fiber rugs with our protector to guard against spills and increase the life of your jute rugs. Applying Sisal Life Protector cannot guarantee that your jute rugs will never stain, but it will reduce the chances if a spill occurs.

Treat curled rug corners

When you use jute area rugs in your home, hotel, or other space, regular foot traffic, shuffling, and luggage can cause the rug’s edges to curl. The problem is easy to fix. Simply dampen the curled area and weigh it down evenly overnight.

If your jute rug is severely curled, it might be necessary to repeat this process multiple times. To further prevent curled edges, consider stocking up on another one of our products, Curl Stop. Curl Stop is an anti-curling rug system safe for all floors that helps keep rug corners flat.

When to use professional jute rug cleaning

While most routine care can be handled at home, some situations call for professional cleaning. Consider expert help if your jute rug has large or deeply set stains, persistent odors, mold or mildew, or structural damage from excess moisture. Professionals use specialized low-moisture techniques that safely clean natural fibers without causing shrinkage or distortion.

Stain, stain … go away!

Jute rugs are a stylish, durable, and sustainable option for your home or hospitality space. By following these tips and tricks, taking proper care of your jute rug is easy. Perform this work regularly, using the proper materials, to maintain the longevity of your jute rug.

Jute rugs are easy to clean and maintain. If you want a jute rug for your home or business (or need a replacement), explore our collection of custom jute area rugs.

Jute rug cleaning FAQs

Can you wash a jute rug?

No, jute rugs should not be washed in a washing machine or with soaking methods. Excess water and agitation can weaken fibers, cause shrinkage, and damage the rug’s structure. Instead, use dry cleaning methods like vacuuming, blotting spills, or applying dry cleaning powder.

What happens if a jute rug gets wet?

Jute is highly absorbent, so excess moisture can cause warping, shrinkage, discoloration, or mold growth if not dried quickly. It may also release natural oils that stain fibers. Small amounts of moisture are manageable, but saturation can lead to permanent damage

Can you steam clean jute rugs?

Steam cleaning is not recommended for jute rugs. The combination of heat and moisture can saturate fibers, leading to shrinkage, discoloration, and structural damage. Dry cleaning methods or light spot cleaning are much safer alternatives.

How do you remove odors from a jute rug?

To remove odors, blot the affected area first, then use a light vinegar-and-water solution or sprinkle baking soda over the rug. Let it sit for several hours or overnight to absorb smells, then vacuum thoroughly. Dry methods are preferred to avoid moisture damage.

How often should you clean a jute rug?

Vacuum jute rugs at least once a week (more in high-traffic areas) to remove loose dirt. Spot clean spills immediately, and refresh with dry cleaning methods as needed. Regular maintenance prevents buildup and helps extend the rug’s lifespan.