Cleaning Your Braided Earth Rug and Jute Accents

You've made a wonderful investment in our braided area rugs and/or table accents and might be wondering how they should be cleaned. Cleaning them periodically or immediately after a spill will extend their life and their beauty. Here are the most common questions asked about cleaning our braided rugs, placemats, and pet rugs:

How are Earth Rugs cleaned?

Just like other fine rugs, they can be spot cleaned with a mild soap (dish detergent) and cold water, with a mild carpet shampoo or commercially dry-cleaned. Cleaning enhances the beauty of these rugs. Scrub gently to retain the beauty and smoothness of the natural fibers. In the case of spills on placemats such as condiments, use a soft sponge to gently lift up the excess ketchup/mustard, etc. After lifting the excess, place a small amount of dish detergent on a soft, wet sponge and gently scrub the spot in small, circular motions. Do not machine wash. You can rinse the entire area, as well as the back of the placemat, with water to rinse out soap. Gently roll to get excess water out and lay flat to dry.

What if they get wet?

Water is not going to hurt your rug or placemat! Jute has natural water repellent characteristics. Remember, jute is a reed that naturally grows in water. Water cannot damage a rug woven from jute fiber. Our rugs and products can actually be sprayed down and saturated with water while cleaning (reminder: do not machine wash). With rugs, table runners, or large placemats, after giving the final rinse, simply roll up gently to get excess water out. Spread out flat to dry to retain shape. In the case of rugs, if you have a place outside to lay it in the sun to dry, that's perfect!

How do I clean large area rugs?

There are several ways to clean your large area rug. Vacuum large area rugs as you would normally with carpet. Spot clean when necessary with mild soap and water or have your rug dry cleaned. To extend the life and beauty of your area rug, it is recommended that you have your rug commercially dry cleaned every two years. 

Some prefer to take the area rug outdoors on a sunny day and drape over a fence or line and use a rug beater to beat out sand. Some like to clean their rug using a snow method by placing their rugs down in the dry snow, pressing the rug into the snow, flipping it, and then sweeping the dirty snow off of the rug. Be sure to drape your rug over a fence, bushes, or over an area where it can completely dry before bringing back inside. Take advantage of a sunshiny day!

Can I use these rugs outdoors?

While jute rugs are naturally water repellent, you don't want to leave them in the open outdoors exposed to rain. This can cause mold. These do, however, make the perfect "Welcome" mats and outdoor rugs for your covered patio, on your covered porch, and in your covered garage.

How long will my rug last?

With proper care and maintenance, these rugs can last for many, many years! They are extremely durable. And did you know you can extend the life of your braided rug by rotating it? Yes, just like you do car tires. If you don't, it will wear unevenly if you have high traffic on it. You can also extend the life of your rugs by flipping them over. Yes, our rugs are reversible! Even the printed designer ones. (Same with trivets, placemats, and runners) The print will be on one side of course. :). You get twice the wear from our braided jute products.

Everyone loves their home to smell nice and fresh. Sometimes odors can get caught in rug fabrics no matter what kind of rug it is. So we'd like to share this DIY Essential Oil Rug Spray that will pleasantly and naturally scent your braided rugs and your home!