Jute Carpets & Rugs

Jute rugs. What are they? Why are they so popular? Jute rugs are a hot topic in the interior design community, but are they actually worth the investment? 

Natural fiber carpets and rugs have grown in popularity in recent years. With a growing interest in sustainability and eco-friendly building and décor, carpets and rugs that are made from renewable resources are seeing a growing demand. 

One of the natural fiber carpet options available from Floor Coverings International of Hillsborough is Jute. Jute is an organic plant fiber that grows primarily in India and Bangladesh, and its popularity is on the rise. The natural look of Jute is a great addition to most interior styles, so if your New Year’s resolution was to go green, Jute carpeting is right for you. But the first things to consider are the pros and cons of Jute flooring.

Jute rugs offer inherent natural beauty to any space in which they’re used since they’re made of dried plant fibers, often left in their original tan shade. Jute’s durability — like hemp or flax — lends it a life of usefulness in woven form, as with an area rug. While jute is relatively maintenance-free, it does have a few care considerations that make it ideal for some locations and not others.

A Jute Rug can be placed in the living room, dining room, bedrooms, and hallways. It adds a warm texture to any area that needs it. And they are great at absorbing sound too! But, keep in mind they are not for high traffic usage so place it only in low traffic areas to make it last longer!

What Is Jute?

Jute is a type of grass found in Asia that is woven into a rug. The material is a natural, vegetable fiber made from jute grass. This plant is most commonly found in the Asian subcontinent and is a durable fiber that has recently become popular for use in rugs. The Jute is also known as Golden fiber is a central woody part of the plant stalk. So, they are composed of cellulose and lignin. Now, once the plant stem is cut down, an interesting process takes part to craft it into a fiber. 

After harvesting, the stems are put deliberately in running water (slow motion) for a few weeks. This practice makes ‘Stripping’ of Jute fibers easier as it softens the gummy. These split fibers are then further processed to transform them into a Jute yarn. A rug that would be woven using this jute yarn will be a Jute rug. 

10 Pros Of Buying A Jute Rug:

1.Jute rugs are cheap, durable, and easy to clean. So if you want trendy and budget-friendly flooring in your home, then jute carpet is the best choice for you.

2. Your children can play on it without hurting themselves. It will also keep its color even when they spill everything from their food to drinks on it.

3.Jute rugs are easy to clean, simply vacuum it occasionally and then wipe it clean with a sponge.

4.Jute rugs are waterproof and easy to wash at home since they do not absorb water like other carpets. You can use soap or detergent with warm water when doing the washing. 

5.Jute rugs are perfect for those who have allergies to wool because they are made of natural fibers.

6.Jute rugs are durable and long-lasting since it is a 100% renewable resource. Because of its durability, you can use it for years without worrying that your kids or pets will ruin the rug.

7.Jute rugs come in different colors and patterns which you can choose from, depending on your taste. Jute rug will help your room look classy, chic, and elegant because of its beautiful colors and patterns. This type of rug will make your home look more welcoming to guests.

8.Jute rugs come in different sizes so that you can match them with the furniture of your living room.

9.Jute rug prevents dirt and dust from building up inside your home because they are water-resistant. Dirt will not stick onto jute materials easily compared to synthetic carpeting materials.

10.Jute rugs are eco-friendly. It is a natural material and environment-friendly, perfect for healthy living.

10 Cons Of Buying A Jute Rug:

1.jute being a natural fiber, it is usually lighter in weight as compared to other rugs made of wool or cotton. This makes it less durable for heavy traffic areas and damp climates. It may not be the best option if you are looking for a long-term investment.

2.Jute rugs don’t hold up well to scrubbing. As it is more prone to fraying and tearing, regular cleaning can reduce the life of your rug.

3.Jute rugs tend to fade easily as a result of exposure to sunlight or even some chemical cleaners and they are not hardy enough for areas prone to heavy traffic. They also have little effect on sound dampening.

4.Jute is not a very pleasant material to sit on, it’s rough and prickly – this means that you should choose a pad underneath your rug so you can enjoy the benefit of comfortable padding.

5.A jute rug can be used as a doormat, but it is not recommended for high-traffic areas.

6.Jute rugs are more expensive than other alternatives such as rush and grass, so if you’re searching for the most cost-effective option with little maintenance involved, avoid this type of rug altogether.

7.Jute rugs can also pose a health hazard if they are not properly maintained. It’s easy for them to become infested with pests, and even harder to treat their damage.

8. Jute rugs are a great choice for areas that see little traffic as they have a medium pile, such as foyers or hallways. They can also be used in bathrooms and kitchens as long as you don’t mind the extra amount of work they require. However, it is recommended to use in areas that are just for decoration and not in use.

9.Jute is a material that can be used for both flooring and rugs, which gives you the flexibility to choose a larger jute rug if you do decide to buy one. It also allows you to piece together smaller rugs in order to create an entire area rug. But, they are very thin, so you shouldn’t use them in any area of your home that gets a lot of foot traffic.

10.Chemicals such as perfumes and cleaning products are absorbed by jute rugs, which is why they need to be washed more often than other types of rugs. The good news is that washing them isn’t very difficult: you just need to use warm water, mild detergent, and a sponge. Let them air dry because they can shrink if you put them in the dryer.

Drawbacks of Jute Rugs

While jute is durable, it’s not always the best solution for every type of rug you may need in or around the home. Since it’s a natural fiber, it is quite absorbent. This means using it in a humid or damp environment as a bathroom mat or outdoor welcome mat is out of the question, as it can become moldy, mildewed or fall apart. While dust does not show readily on the top of a jute rug, the rug does leave behind fibers on its bottom side, as evidenced when you move the rug for cleaning.

Care and Maintenance 

A simple vacuuming with a brush attachment removes dust that may build up in the woven texture of the rug; vacuum from several directions to remove the most debris and prolong the rug’s usefulness and beauty. If the rug has a binding, avoid vacuuming the stitched area to prolong its life. Treating a spill on the rug involves blotting, rather than rubbing the spot out.

A jute rug, unlike some other rug types, cannot be steam cleaned, as the moisture may ruin it or lead to mildew and mold. Rug cleaners and spot cleaners are also a no-no for jute, as these may stain or discolor the rug’s natural tones. Continual exposure to sunlight may also fade the rug; rotate it if kept in a sunny location so the light affects it evenly over time.

jute rugs can be washed, and to do this, you simply need to remove the rug from the area where it is placed. Then place it on a flat surface and slowly spot clean any stubborn stains. You can also use a mild detergent to wash. 

It is not recommended to dry cleaning jute rugs as the jute fibers may become brittle. Also, it will cause the colors to fade or change and weaken the structure of the rug because of continuous exposure to chemicals in laundering.

It is not recommended for a jute rug to hang out under hot and direct sunlight as they tend to discolor or become brittle over time. So, Always dry your jute rugs in the shade. Or, if you want to place a jute rug in the outdoor areas then use shaded areas to prevent discoloration.