Do Jute Rugs Smell? How to Remove Smell from Jute Rugs?

Do your jute rugs smell? Find out how to get rid of the smell of your brand-new jute rugs here!

The most popular rugs right now are made of jute. As part of the current trend in interior design, they add warmth to a room and give it an earthy, rustic feel. Jute rugs do have some drawbacks, though. One of them is the fact that they smell quite a bit.

So, do jute rugs have a smell? Yes, the majority of consumers who purchase jute rugs regularly voice their complaints about the smell of the product. Thankfully, by following the instructions below, you can quickly get rid of this odor.

Further Reading: 8 Best Jute Rugs in 2023: Worth Buying

Do Jute Rugs Smell?

Even a brand-new jute rug begins to have a smell after purchase. This is primarily because the majority of these jute rugs are handwoven and are typically kept in warehouses for a long period of time because they are primarily imported.

Jute rugs have an earthy scent akin to burlap because they are made from natural plant fibers. This smell can occasionally be so overpowering and disagreeable. While some people enjoy the smell of jute rugs, others would rather avoid it. Learn Are Jute Rugs Soft?

Why Do Jute Rugs Smell?

There are a few reasons that cause jute rugs to smell. Jute rugs frequently smell due to several factors, including being newly made. Jute rugs do not get enough ventilation while being wrapped in their packaging, so they tend to smell when they are new. The jute rug’s natural, earthy scent has a tendency to become imprisoned in the fibers and is unable to escape.

Moisture is another frequent cause of jute rugs’ odors. A room or environment with a lot of moisture in the air will cause jute rugs to begin to smell because of their naturally absorbent fibers. The rug will eventually absorb the moisture and begin to smell.

When kept in a closed space, jute rugs also start to smell. When rugs are not in use, people will occasionally store them in cabinets or closets. The jute rug will begin to smell because confined storage areas have a tendency to trap moisture, which it can absorb.

Do Jute Rugs Smell More Than Other Rugs?

Jute rugs smell less when compared to other natural fiber rugs. Due to their fibers’ high absorption capacity, jute rugs have a stronger odor than other rugs. They are very good at absorbing liquids and capturing dirt and stains.

Because of this, jute rugs can hold odor better and longer than other rugs – which is not exactly a good thing.

Further Reading:

• Are Jute Rugs Good for Pets?
• How to Clean a Jute Rug Dog Pee?

How to Remove Smell from Jute Rugs?

Since the bad smell of jute rugs has become your nightmare, you can try these tips listed below to remove the odor:

• Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda across your jute carpet. 15 minutes should pass before vacuuming the rug to get the baking soda out. Repeat this procedure one more time. Most of the odor ought to be eliminated by this process.
• The Sun: Take your jute rug outside and let it bake for one day in the warmth of the sun. The dry heat will aid in eliminating any humidity that may be causing odors to come from the jute itself.
• Air Fresheners: Near and around the carpet, lightly mist some air freshener (Febreze is safe on Jute). Place the rug in a well-ventilated area and let it sit there. Consider putting a fan close to the rug if your room has poor ventilation.
• Vacuum Clean: Pick up your vacuum and begin removing all the baking soda from your rug. The baking soda will lift along with it the bad odor. But even after using baking soda to neutralize the odor, a slight odor will still linger.

How Do You Avoid the Smell of Jute Rugs?

Jute rugs will always smell when they are new. These rugs can handle it naturally. You want to keep your jute rug odor-free after the novelty of the new rug wears off. Here is what you can do to keep your jute rug odor-free:

Be Careful About Where You Place Your Rug

Think carefully about where you want to put your brand-new jute rug because rug placement is crucial. You should stay away from putting them in wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens. The best places for jute rugs are bedrooms and other areas of the house where there is little chance of liquid spills.

Vacuum Regularly

There are advantages to routinely vacuuming your jute rug. Cleaning your jute rug with a vacuum cleaner helps keep it clean. Jute rug fibers have a strong tendency to collect dirt and serve as a haven for mold and bacteria. This will make your rug smell, but it could also put your family members’ health in danger.

Let It Out under the Sun Occasionally

One of the main reasons your jute rug starts to smell is the humidity trapped in the fibers. You can eliminate the humidity while your jute rug completely dries out by placing it in direct sunlight for at least six hours every now and then.

Other advantages come from occasionally allowing your jute rug to sit in the sun. Any bacterial growth in your rug can be eliminated by it. Your rug will also smell fresh.

Place a Dehumidifier in Your Room

Reduce the humidity indoors by placing a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers help control moisture in the air. To stop your jute rugs from smelling bad, get a dehumidifier for the space where you’ll be placing them. This will reduce the moisture in the air. For your indoor spaces, a range of 30% to 60% humidity would be ideal.

Keep Your House Clean

By keeping your house clean, you minimize the growth of bacteria. This will stop the smell from developing in your rugs. You can keep your rugs dry and free of moisture by doing simple things like cleaning and drying your floors and purifying the air in your home.

You may be interested in

• Can Jute Rugs Get Wet?
• Is Jute Biodegradable? Is It Eco-Friendly?
• Is Jute Or Sisal Softer?

How Do You Clean Jute Rugs?

Don’t hesitate to consult a carpet cleaning specialist nearby about the rugs and carpets in your home, and take into account some additional information about maintaining the jute rugs clean.

• Jute rugs have flexibility and durability due to the use of natural plant fiber in their construction. When compared to rugs made from synthetic materials like polyester or nylon, natural plant fibers typically mean far fewer chemicals and toxins in the home.
• Some jute rugs are combined with chenille, a naturally spun cotton fiber with a silky finish, to add extra softness. Because chenille is so soft, it is frequently used for blankets, scarves, and sweaters. When combined with jute, wool creates a rug that is both resilient and cozy to walk on.
• More so than sisal or sea grass, jute is thick by nature, making it a great material choice for hallways and busy rooms.
• Jute absorbs moisture somewhat readily despite its toughness. This makes jute rugs a bad choice for outdoor spaces or any place where the rug might get excessively wet, like a laundry room. Mold and mildew are challenging to remove from a jute rug because they are caused by trapped moisture.
• Because jute rugs are woven, you might use a brush attachment when vacuuming to remove ground-in dirt and other debris. Consider hanging the rug up and using a stiff-bristled fabric brush to remove any remaining dirt that your vacuum can’t get to.
• Jute does not react the same way as other rug fibers to spot cleaners or even regular rug cleaners, so avoid using these on jute.
• A 50/50 solution of white vinegar and warm water or a small amount of laundry detergent diluted in water can be used to remove stains from jute rugs. The cleanser should be applied to the stain with a clean, damp rag and removed with another clean rag.
• Avoid rubbing the detergent into the rug because doing so could make the stain worse!
• After cleaning your jute rug, use a hairdryer on it because water can somewhat easily stain jute rugs. Keep any rinse water that is left behind to a minimum!

How to Get Water Stains Out of Jute Rugs?

Getting a jute rug wet is a common mistake made by those who purchase them. In order to clean the jute rugs, people frequently use water, but they are unaware that this will only make their situation worse. If you try wiping up any spills with water on your jute rag, be prepared for water stains that will likely show up the following day.

Cleaning these water stains is a real pain and many people don’t know how to clean them. Here is the process:

• In a cup, add some vinegar.
• Three or four times in vinegar, dip the toothbrush.
• As you would toothpaste, apply the liquid dish soap to your toothbrush at this point.
• In gentle circular motions, begin rubbing the water spot’s edges. The spot will begin to get lighter as a result.
• Once the brush gets dry dip it again in vinegar and applies dish soap to it.
• Continue cleaning the area in this manner until it is completely cleaned.
• Be gentle when cleaning your jute rug or you risk damaging the fibers.

When you’re done, you’ll see that the stain has only lightened rather than completely disappeared. So you have to clean it at 2-3 days intervals to ensure that the water stain is completely gone.

Conclusion: Remove Smell from Jute Rugs

You can only do that to clean your jute rugs. Although it is impossible to avoid the smell of a new jute rug, with proper care, the smell will eventually fade. Always keep your jute rug and the areas around it dry and clean to prevent future odors.

The last thing you want is to be forced to get rid of your lovely jute rug because the smell has gotten out of control.

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