Unlike synthetic and polyester rugs, jute rugs are more prone to elements and can get damaged if not placed in the right environment. That being said, homeowners are often concerned about whether jute rugs can be used outdoors or not.
In short, you can use jute rugs outdoors only if the outdoor environment i.e. humidity level and sun exposure intensity is favorable.
Meeting some specific weather conditions, there is nothing to worry about when you place your favorite or best-looking rugs just outside the house.
Factors to Consider Before Using Jute Rugs Outdoors
You will have to meet certain requirements in your outdoor settings if you want to use jute rugs outside. Otherwise, you will end up with a moldy, dirty, and overall bad rug disgracing your outdoors.
Humidity
Due to the natural structure of jute, it is weak to humidity and susceptible to mold. This means that it will absorb moisture and in return create mold on the rug.
Therefore, you need to ensure that your outdoor rug placement is protected from humidity and water.
How to Deal with It
It is quite easy to do so as there are only a few places outdoors where a jute rug might come into contact with water. As for humidity, the inclusion of a fan can take care of the issue.
There are also jute rugs that go through specific processing that makes them especially resistant to humid weather.
Sun Exposure
If you have ever used any rug, natural fiber-based or synthetic, then you know that too much direct sunlight is bad for them.
The same goes for jute rugs. Too much sunlight can result in the fibers weakening and becoming brittle.
UV rays from direct sunlight are the primary cause of this issue. This will ultimately lead to the fibers losing their strength and breaking apart.
How to Deal with It
Like any other rug, you will have to ensure that your jute rug isn’t placed in direct sunlight.
Unless you are planning to use your jute rugs like a welcome mat, it is highly unlikely for you to place them out in the direct sunlight.
If you want to bring the natural outlook of jute rugs, then placing them in the open sunlight won’t do any good either.
Mud
Jute rugs also don’t mix well with mud. This happens due to the fact that jute fibers are highly absorbent. So, when they come in contact with mud, they will soak it up quickly.
And you can’t clean the mud in the traditional way with water as that will get soaked up and result in molds later.
Therefore, the dirt won’t completely be removed resulting in a dirty and weakened rug in your outdoor design.
This is especially true during the rainy season and in peak summer.
How to Deal with It
You should also pack up the rug if there is a chance for it to get in contact with mud.
Keep in mind that most outdoor settings won’t face this issue. They can gather a bit around the pool area if you aren’t cleaning properly. Otherwise, there aren’t any locations where you will see mud gather.
Where Can You Use Jute Rugs Outdoors?
If you want to place jute rugs outdoors then you will need to place them in an area that doesn’t include direct contact with sunshine or water and isn’t too humid.
Okay, so no humidity, water, and extreme sunlight exposure when placing jute rugs outdoors. It might seem that there isn’t any suitable place. But actually, there are quite a few options for you to consider.
Patio
A good outdoor location for jute rugs is the patio area.
If it comes with overhead fans then that’s a bonus. The fan will keep the moisture levels to a minimum so the jute fibers don’t end up absorbing it.
Humidity control is the key to finding the perfect outdoor placement locations for jute rugs.
Shaded Areas
Another possible option can be the shaded areas in your outdoors, especially the ones outside the garden or pool.
Make sure that the place remains dry and that there is no chance of mud or water touching the rug.
Covered Porch
The porch is a fine place for your jute rugs along with some wood furniture to bring the natural aesthetic.
You just have to make sure that the porch is covered so that you don’t face issues when it starts to rain or the sun is at its apex.
Gazebo
You will find a lot of homeowners taking advantage of the open space in their gazebo and filling it with jute rugs for a comfortable and earthly feel.
So, if you have space in your gazebo, then a jute rug can enhance the overall aesthetics of this space.
Veranda
A place that many often disregard placing their jute rug but is absolutely aesthetically pleasing is the veranda.
If you have a hanging swinging chair, then that’ll be a plus from a designer's point of view.
So, in short, if you are looking for outdoor places where you can place jute rugs then make sure that the place doesn’t have contact with direct sunlight, is dry and there is no chance of water exposure.
That means only places like the pool or the front must be avoided. You can even place your jute rugs underneath trees if they provide an adequate amount of shade.
Tips to Consider for Outdoor Jute Rug Usage
Now that you have a proper understanding of how jute rugs can be used outdoors here are some tips that should consider before you pick up a jute rug for your outdoor aesthetics:
Always Try Dry Cleaning First
Keep in mind that you can’t take the traditional cleaning approach with jute rugs as they will just absorb the water and cleaning agent and create a bigger mess.
What you need to do in this situation is to dry clean the rug first. The rugs will accumulate a significant amount of dust and dirt while they are outside.
So, first things first, use a vacuum to remove any loose dirt, dust, or debris.
If you don’t have a vacuum lying around, then you will have to take the old-fashioned way and clean the rug by hand using a brush.
Be sure to gently rub the brush otherwise you may end up damaging the fiber.
Cleaning Solution is the Last Option
While jute rugs are renowned for absorbing liquid rapidly, if your rug is significantly dirty and you aren’t getting any positive results then you will have no other option but to clean it with a cleaning solution.
There are quite a few rug cleaning solutions out there, so you can make your pick based on your preference.
Otherwise, you can just prepare a cleaning solution by mixing a small amount of dish soap or a mild detergent in water.
Make sure not to use detergent or soap that comes with any harsh chemical cleaning component or bleach.
Next, you should proceed to clean the rug. But test the cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area beforehand.
Use a soft-bristled brush or sponge to scrub the rug and rinse thoroughly. Ensure that there isn’t any soap residue on the rug.
Once that is done, you need to completely air dry the rug as fast as you can.
Keep in mind that you can’t bring the rug in contact with direct sunlight or any heat sources.
Wipe and Sponge Drain Water on the Jute Rug
A jute rug placed outside will inevitably come in contact with water.
When it happens, use a dry cloth or sponge to wipe and drain the water away from the rug. The rug won’t immediately soak up the water so you will have some time.
That being said, to ensure that the water doesn’t get absorbed, just use your fingers and palms to see if you get any wet feel from the rug.
If you find any then you will have to air dry the rug to avoid mold infestation.
Let the Rug Biodegrade When You See Signs of Deteriorating
One of the pros of having a jute rug is that it is biodegradable. So, when you encounter possible signs that the rug has worn out and is starting to deteriorate then you don’t have to throw it out.
Just place a synthetic rug over the jute rug and it will slowly degrade over time without harming the synthetic rug whatsoever. Don’t put another jute rug over as the latter might start the degrading process in the new one.
Benefits of Using Outdoor Jute Rugs
With the caveats and considerations, you might start to wonder whether investing in jute rugs for outdoors is the right course of action or not.
Yes, jute rugs do come with a handful of requirements & disadvantages to outdoor scenarios. But there are certain advantages & prospects that you can’t ignore when it comes to placing jute rugs outdoors –
Environment-Friendly Product
One of the biggest advantages jute rugs hold over other popular outdoor rugs is that they are environmentally friendly. Therefore, unlike synthetic rugs, they won’t be harmful to the environment.
If you want to contribute to a healthier planet, then this can be a small step towards it.
Better Pricing than Other Outdoor Rugs
One of the biggest advantages that jute rugs have over any other rug option is the pricing. This natural fiber-based rug doesn’t need any fancy equipment or chemicals to bring it together.
100% Natural & Biodegradable Product
This is because most jute rugs are handcrafted and use only natural materials to be woven. There are machine-made jute rugs out there but even they don’t contain any artificial materials.
Brings Earthly Aesthetic
Jute rugs don’t incorporate a massive amount of custom designs or colors. Instead, they portray a natural earthy tone which is perfect for an outdoor setting.
Bring in some garden, white stones and they can lighten up your patio and other outdoor areas instantly.
Durable Yet Soft
Jute fiber rugs offer a significant amount of durability which you won’t find among other natural fiber-focused rugs. What’s more surprising, this durability doesn’t make them harsh or brittle to step on. They are soft and comfortable.
This makes jute rugs the perfect companion for your outdoor setting. You won’t have to worry about the rug getting damaged easily and won’t have to compensate for comfort.
Final Thoughts
Depending on the weather conditions of your locality, now you can tell whether can jute rugs be used outdoors or not. But it all comes down to placement in reality.
Yes, at first you may think there are a lot of factors and constraints to place jute rugs outdoors. But if you look into the matter, there aren’t.
You won’t be placing any outdoor rugs in front of your doors or beside pools or in the open sunlight, right?
Those are exactly the places where jute rugs face issues. Every natural rug and even synthetic rug would face problems if placed in those places.
So, don’t be afraid to try jute rugs outdoors. They bring a new aesthetic that synthetic rugs just can’t. Therefore, if you place them properly, you have no reason to worry.
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