The Best Jute Area Rugs

When you’re buying a big area rug for your dining or living space, you want it to be noticed. And when it comes to making an impression — both in terms of look and feel — there’s nothing quite like a jute rug.

So, what exactly is jute? Long story short, it’s a plant-based fiber that’s grown and cultivated mainly in India. Jute is instantly recognizable for its thick, rope-like strands. After processing, jute’s natural color is typically light brown, and the fiber is as strong as it looks.

Jute is also an eco-friendly material. Compared to other fibers like cotton, jute plants absorb a lot more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They can also grow and be cultivated more quickly, which means less acreage is needed to produce them. Those reusable, burlap-looking bags you might pick up at your local organic grocer? They’re probably made out of jute, and for good reason.

The same properties make jute a great material for area rugs, although it’s not for everyone. Woven with care, jute yarn can be surprisingly soft, though it will never be as fluffy as a cotton or microfiber rug. And while it is very durable, you’ll need to take a little more care in cleaning it, especially in high-traffic areas. Because of its reaction to sustained moisture, you won’t want to use a jute rug on an uncovered patio, even if it looks great out there.

There are many more factors on the plus side, though. For one thing, there’s the texture. The thick braids of a quality jute rug can feel great on the toes and provide plenty of traction if you have kids running around. What’s more, they hide dirt and debris like few other materials can. This is especially true if you have an uncolored rug that keeps the fiber’s natural brownish hue.

It can be hard to discern the quality of a jute rug, since they’re naturally rough-looking. It’s all in the weave: Look for a nice, tight braiding structure, especially around the edges. Since jute rugs do have a tendency to shed, many larger ones will have a border sewn on to keep those stray fibers in place. You might also look for a hybrid rug that blends jute with other fibers. This can be an especially good solution if you have a plant allergy that can be triggered by natural jute yarn.

The fun part, of course, is finding out where in your home that jute rug fits best. Even though it’s one of the most distinctive fibers around, jute can be surprisingly versatile when it comes to style. The rustic look is the perfect complement to hardwood floors or heirloom furniture, but it can also fit in with most modern decor as a counterpoint. If you’ve got glass tables or white marble, a white oval jute rug might be just the thing.

• Jute rugs might look rough and rustic, but they do require a little more TLC than regular materials. That can start right after you get them: Since the fibers do tend to hold onto loose particles, you may want to shake the rug outside once it’s out of the packaging.
• Once you’ve got things settled, you can vacuum jute as you would any other fiber. (Twice a week, ideally.)
• If you get spills, you’ll want to deal with them as soon as possible to prevent staining. Just blot the liquid out thoroughly, then use a bristle brush and water to wipe the stain away.
• To get rid of odors, you can always use dry cleaning powder.