Thursday, August 8, 2013

The All Natural Lowdown on Jute Rugs

Ivory Jute Rug by Anji Mountain
Jute. It's durable, natural, multifunctional and has been used to create everything from clothing to coffee sacks. So how about a jute rug?


Jute is a vegetable fiber that can be spun into coarse, strong, durable threads. After cotton, it is the second most important vegetable fiber with an abundance of uses. Jute is 100% biodegradable and is used to make coarse cloths (such as those that wrap cotton bales), clothing, curtains, furniture, rope, rugs, and even backing for linoleum.

Jute as a Rug

As a rug, jute has a very naturally appealing appearance and styling. Most jute rugs are hand woven, and, because of the nature of the fiber (no pun intended), the appearance is one of texture and dimension. As you can imagine, based on the other uses of this natural fiber, a jute rug is durable and will hold up to traffic and regular use.

Anji Mountain Jute Rug in Beige
The sustainable nature of a jute rug makes it an environmentally conscious choice that just happens to look great in any room. Because jute is constructed of natural fibers it is easily recyclable or biodegradable should it eventually make its way out of your home. Jute rugs are also commonly combined with other fibers such as sisal to create varying textures, often smoother than  jute only.

Surya Country Jute Collection in Cobalt

Natural Style

The style of a jute rug is one of natural beauty that is very transitional. A jute rug is just as at home in a contemporary decor as it is in traditional decor. Because jute is often not dyed, the coloring is simply "natural" and will seamlessly blend into any selected color palette.

Image Courtesy of West Elm
Jute rugs are commonly used in layering, as the neutral bottom layer hosting a top, bolder, more unique rug layer. The jute rug picture below is used as a backdrop for the living area in the home. The jute rug covers a large portion of the sitting area with a smaller decorative animal skin rug that makes a huge statement.

Photo Courtesy of D Magazine

Cleaning Jute

One of the finest qualities of jute is that dirt does not cling to the fibers. Dirt will simply sit within the weave of the rug. Therefore vacuuming will quickly eliminate dirt from the rug, keeping the appearance of the rug very fresh. The brush tool of your vacuum works best.



While jute can be vacuumed, there are a few things to keep in mind. Because jute is fibrous, it can absorb liquids. It may be best to place your jute out of a food serving area, just to be on the safe side. Jute rugs do not do well with moisture and tend to break down. Therefore, don't place a jute rug outside or in any area where it may be regularly exposed to moisture.

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