Jute is strong in your hand but delicate in the wash. It gets weaker when wet, creases sharply, turns yellow in the sun and holds damp. So most jute that gets ruined is ruined while washing. Here is how to wash jute fabric and keep it looking new. For why jute behaves like this, see Jute Fabric: The Complete Guide.
First, check what it is mixed with
- Jute-cotton (kurtis, everyday sarees, cushion covers, most bags): hand-wash is fine.
- Jute-silk, jute-tussar, and anything printed, painted or embroidered: dry-clean only.
- Pure jute (rugs, mats, hessian): clean spots only; do not put it in water.
If the label does not say, dry-clean it.
How to hand-wash jute-cotton
1. Fill a bucket with cold water and a little mild liquid detergent. No bleach, no enzyme detergents. 2. Turn the garment inside out and put it in the water. Squeeze gently. Do not rub or scrub. 3. Do not soak for more than ten minutes. Wet jute gets weak and the colour can run. 4. Rinse in cold water until the water is clear. 5. Never wring or twist. Lay it flat on a towel, roll the towel up and press to take the water out. 6. Dry it flat, or on a wide hanger, in the shade with air moving. Direct sun makes jute yellow and weak.
How to clean a jute silk saree
Dry-clean it. Tell the cleaner it is jute and ask for steaming, not ironing. A hot iron flattens the texture that makes the fabric special. After each wear, air the saree for an hour before you put it back in the cupboard.
How to iron jute
Iron while the fabric is a little damp, on the back, on a low setting, with a thin cotton cloth between the iron and the jute. Do not press hard on a crease. Pressure makes jute creases, so you can make a new one as easily as remove an old one. A garment steamer, held a hand's width away, is safer than an iron.
How to store jute
- Make sure it is fully dry first. Jute holds damp and can grow mildew.
- Wrap it in cotton or muslin cloth. Never plastic.
- Fold it loosely, and refold it along different lines every few months, or roll a saree around a cardboard tube.
- Keep it out of direct light.
- A cloth bag of dry neem leaves, cloves or camphor in the cupboard keeps insects and damp smells away.
Can you wash a jute bag or rug?
Not in water. Wipe stains with a cloth dipped in cold soapy water and squeezed out, working from the outside of the mark inwards. Blot, do not rub. Let it dry fully before you use it. Shake rugs out and vacuum them without the brush roller. Hang them in the shade, never in the rain.
Fixing common jute problems
- Stiff after washing: it dried too fast or in the sun. Steam it lightly and it will soften.
- A water mark: the fabric dried unevenly. Dampen the whole piece evenly and dry it flat again.
- Yellowing: caused by sun. It cannot be reversed; keep the piece out of light from now on.
- Mildew spots: brush them off when dry, wipe with a cloth dipped in one part white vinegar and four parts water, and dry fully in the shade.
Treat jute like a wool sweater, not a T-shirt, and it will last for years.
Questions people ask
Can jute fabric be machine washed?
Not safely. The machine creases and weakens the fibre. Hand-wash jute-cotton in cold water; dry-clean jute-silk and anything printed or embroidered.
Can you wash a jute bag?
Do not put a jute bag in water. Wipe stains with a cloth dipped in cold soapy water, working from the outside of the mark in. Blot, do not rub, and let it dry fully in the shade.
Why does my jute saree smell?
Jute holds damp and can grow mildew. Air it in the shade, not the sun, and store it fully dry in cotton or muslin, never plastic. A small cloth bag of dry neem leaves or camphor in the cupboard helps.
How do I remove creases from jute?
Iron on low, on the back, with a thin cotton cloth in between, while the fabric is a little damp. A steamer held a hand’s width away also works.
Does jute fabric shrink?
A little on the first cold wash, usually under three percent. Hot water shrinks and weakens it more, so never use hot water.
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