Keep Your IKEA Jute Rug Clean With A Simple Kitchen Ingredient

Jute rugs are a lot of things: naturally beautiful, versatile, timeless — they are also notoriously difficult to clean, as the fibers are not designed to get wet. Of course, jute rugs, like any other material, do need to be cleaned regularly, otherwise you stand the risk of them leading to odors in your home. While some people may simply choose to replace their rug every time it gets dirty as an alternative to cleaning it, this is far from financially responsible, given that IKEA's LOHALS jute rug costs $79.99 to replace. Instead, a simple box of baking soda can revive your rug's appearance and presence in your home.

No matter how clean you keep your home, dirt and crumbs will have become embedded in your flooring over time and need to be dislodged. After you take it outside for a good old-fashioned rug beating, you'll want to vacuum the floor beneath that will surely have some amount of dirt leftover. Once your rug is free from loosened debris, vacuum it on the lowest setting without the beater bar, working with the weave of the rug to help preserve its appearance. Here is where baking soda enters the scene. Arming yourself with a hefty amount of the white powder, shake it evenly over the surface of the rug and leave it for up to a few hours before vacuuming. For the most thorough cleaning, flip the rug over and do it on the other side, too.

Although you may have seen baking soda's magical powers on display, understanding how it works can be enlightening. Baking soda is known as an all-purpose deodorizer. Its chemical makeup means that it can absorb odors and neutralize them, leaving a space (or a jute rug) smelling much fresher than before. It also can absorb moisture; this can be incredibly useful if you live in a damp climate and your rug has trapped the humidity in its fibers, as this can lead to increased bacteria growth over time.

Baking soda is super affordable and can easily be found at any grocery store for just a few dollars. If you are a fan of essential oils or herbal scents, you can naturally deodorize your home with baking soda by infusing it with lavender or your favorite aroma. Simply mix ½ cup of baking soda with several drops of your favorite essential oil or some finely chopped dried herbs. After mixing the powder thoroughly, you can sprinkle it on your jute rugs and proceed with the aforementioned deodorizing process. Though it might be surprisingly simple, baking soda can be the difference between a grungy and fresh jute rug in your home. If you don't have ingredients to make your own scented powder but want to experience elevated freshness with your jute rug, you can always opt for a pre-made carpet odor eliminator for your home.