Care & Maintenance

Caring for Your Jute

How to keep your jute products looking and smelling their best — without a drop of water getting near the weave.

~4 min read No machine wash Natural fibre

The Golden Rule

Keep Jute Dry — Always

Jute is a natural plant fibre and water is its one true enemy. Never put jute products in a washing machine, submerge them in a sink, or send them to a dry cleaner. Excess moisture causes the fibres to shrink, distort, and weaken permanently. With the right dry techniques, jute is surprisingly easy to maintain.

Day to day

Everyday Maintenance

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Shake It Out

Take your jute piece outside and give it a good shake to dislodge loose dirt, dust, and debris. This is the simplest and most effective first step for routine upkeep — do it regularly and you will rarely need to do anything more.

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Vacuum Gently

For a deeper clean between shakes, use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment set to low suction. Work along the direction of the weave rather than across it. This lifts embedded dust and fine particles without pulling or stressing the fibres.

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Keep It Dry

Store jute products away from humidity and damp environments. If your piece gets lightly damp — from condensation or a light drizzle — lay it flat in a well-ventilated space and allow it to dry naturally before using or storing it again.

Spill treatment

Act fast

Dealing with Spills

Speed is everything with jute. The moment a spill happens, follow these five steps in order — do not let it sit.

Never scrub or rub a spill. Rubbing drives the liquid deeper into the weave and can cause the fibres to fray or pill. Always blot — dab straight down and lift, don't drag.

Never hang jute while damp. The weight of the water will distort the shape of the piece as it dries. Always dry flat on a clean surface.

1

Blot immediately. Use a clean, dry cloth or paper towel to blot up as much of the liquid as possible. Press down firmly, lift, and repeat with a fresh section of the cloth until no more liquid transfers.
2

Prepare a gentle cleaning solution. For most spills, mix a very small amount of mild dish soap with cold water. For acidic spills like wine or fruit juice, club soda works well — the carbonation helps lift the stain before it sets.
3

Dab the stain. Dampen a clean cloth with your solution and gently dab the stained area, working from the outside of the stain inward to avoid spreading it. Use as little moisture as possible — the goal is barely damp, not wet.
4

Neutralise with plain water. Use a second clean cloth dampened with plain cold water to dab over the area and remove any soap residue. Blot dry again immediately.
5

Dry flat. Lay the piece completely flat on a clean, dry surface. To speed drying, you can use a hair dryer on its cool setting held at a distance. Do not use heat — it can cause shrinkage and discolouration. Alternatively, leave the piece flat in a warm room with good air circulation.

Odour removal

Natural solution

Banishing Odours

Jute can absorb smells over time — particularly in humid conditions. Baking soda is the safest and most effective remedy, and it requires no moisture whatsoever.

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The Baking Soda Method

Lay the jute piece completely flat. Sprinkle a generous, even layer of dry baking soda over the entire surface. Allow it to sit for several hours — overnight is ideal for stubborn odours. The baking soda will absorb the smell without introducing any moisture. When ready, vacuum the baking soda away using the upholstery attachment on low suction.