How to Clean Your Natural Fiber Rug

Care and Cleaning

To keep your natural fiber rugs in their best condition and to prevent degradation, it’s important to keep them clean and appropriately cared for. Follow these instructions to make sure your rugs are always looking great.

Bamboo Chair Mats 

Bamboo Rugs 

  • If your bamboo rug is in direct sunlight, be sure to rotate it regularly to prevent fading.
  • For everyday cleaning of the rug surface use a damp cloth. Likewise, to spot-clean the rug borders use a water solution with mild dish soap.
  • The rugs may be vacuumed to remove debris, but do not use a beater brush as it may scratch the surface – use the suction attachment only.
  • If your bamboo rug is under furniture, plastic and felt casters are suggested for the bottoms of furniture legs as the legs may cause cracking and scratching to the hard rug surface.

 Silky Shag Rugs and Paper Shag Rugs 

  • When you first get your rug, it will be compact from the packaging and shipping, so be sure to fluff it.
  • Minimal shedding can be expected for the first few vacuumings but will decrease.
  • If your shag rug is in direct sunlight, be sure to rotate it regularly to prevent fading.
  • You may vacuum the rug and should do so regularly to remove debris but do NOT use a beater brush attachment, only use the suction attachment.
  • For liquid spills, blot the area - do not rub. If the stain does not come out, you may use a water based solution with a colorless mild dish soap to spot clean but test the cleaning liquid on a small area of the rug first to make sure it doesn’t harm the rug.
  • If you get a solid (e.g. chocolate bar, melted cheese) on the rug use the dull edge of a knife to scrape the solid up as much of possible and then follow instructions above for liquid spills.
  • If your rug is more heavily soiled, you should have it professionally cleaned. If you have the Silky Shag, tell the cleaner that the rug is 50% rayon from bamboo and 50% cotton. If you have the Paper Shag rug, tell the cleaner the rug is 50% recycled paper, 25% viscose and 25% polypropylene. For both of the rugs the backing material is made out of natural latex and cotton.
  • To deep clean the rug yourself, use the HOST carpet cleaning system. It’s an environmentally friendly, dry extraction system that works exceptionally and will not damage your rug. The key is to not use liquid cleaners as the natural fibers are highly absorbent and are more likely to be distorted by liquids. 

 Jute Rugs, Seagrass Rugs, Sisal Rugs 

  • Occasionally, jute and other natural fibers appear to “sprout” or appear as a pulled thread, which is a normal occurrence and should not be considered a defect. These “sprouts” are actually threads that have unwound at that location and can be quickly removed with scissors without damage to the rug.     
                                                Sprouting Fiber                 Sprouting Fiber                           Sprouting Fibers                        
  • If your rug is in direct sunlight, be sure to rotate it regularly to prevent fading.
  • You may vacuum the rug and should do so regularly to remove debris but do not use a beater brush attachment, only use the suction attachment.
  • For liquid spills, blot the area - do not rub. If the stain does not come out, you may use a water based solution with a colorless mild dish soap to spot clean but test the cleaning liquid on a small area of the rug first to make sure it doesn’t harm the rug.
  • If you get a solid (e.g. chocolate bar, melted cheese) on the rug use the dull edge of a knife to scrape the solid up as much of possible and then follow instructions above for liquid spills.
  • To deep clean the rug yourself, use the HOST carpet cleaning system. It’s an environmentally friendly, dry extraction system that works exceptionally and will not damage your rug. The key is to not use liquid cleaners as the natural fibers are highly absorbent and are more likely to be distorted by liquids. 

 Wool/Jute Blend Rug 

  • Loose ends and “sprouts” along with other pulled threads can simply be removed with scissors.
  • Shedding is normal and can be lessened with time through regular vacuuming of the fibers. When vacuuming, do not use a beater brush attachment, only use the suction attachment.
  • If your rug is in direct sunlight, be sure to rotate it regularly to prevent fading.
  • For liquid spills, blot the area - do not rub.
  • If you get a solid (e.g. chocolate bar, melted cheese) on the rug use the dull edge of a knife to scrape the solid up as much of possible and then follow instructions above for liquid spills.
  • You may have the rugs professionally cleaned should they need more comprehensive cleaning.
  • To deep clean the rug yourself, use the HOST carpet cleaning system. It’s an environmentally friendly, dry extraction system that works exceptionally and will not damage your rug. The key is to not use liquid cleaners as the natural fibers are highly absorbent and are more likely to be distorted by liquids. 

 Cotton & Viscose Rugs

  • Vacuum regularly with suction only--a beater brush is not recommended
  • Blot liquid spills immediately by pressing a clean, undyed cloth into the spill to absorb as much as possible
  • For hard to remove stains professional rug cleaning is recommended
  • If you get a solid (e.g. chocolate bar, melted cheese) on the rug use the dull edge of a knife to scrape the solid up as much of possible and then follow instructions above for liquid spills.

Poufs

  • Blot liquid spills immediately by pressing a clean, undyed cloth into the spill to absorb as much as possible.

My rug has an unusual scent—why?

Natural fiber rugs will often have a smell compared to fresh hay that will dissipate over time. While unfamiliar (unless you bale hay), this smell poses no health risk to you or your family. No chemicals are used in treating or processing the natural fibers in our rugs so you can rest easy.