Setting Expectations: An Honest Post on Natural Rug Care from the Owner of Natural Rug Co.
I've created many Natural Rug Co. blog posts, social media posts and emails regarding care and maintenance for natural fiber rugs - bamboo, jute and wool specifically - because, frankly, it's a legit consideration for homeowners and designers alike.
If I could sum up everything I've learned in researching care for natural fiber rugs and in having them in my own home in a few words, I would say this: nice things need to be treated nicely.
What 'Nice Things Need to Treated Nicely' Means
It's a misconception to think you can't enjoy beautiful, handcrafted natural fiber rugs in your home if you have kids and pets. But you do have to be realistic about your lifestyle and your commitment to proper care.
My husband and I have both handcrafted wool and jute rugs in our home, along with two dogs - and one is a prolific shedder and a senior with less than perfect continence control.
One of our jute rugs lies in front of the door that our dogs use to go in and out an multiple times a day, and let's just say with some frequency our senior dog doesn't make it out quite quickly enough. With all honestly, I can say that we simply clean things up quickly - and in particular soak up liquids with a towel or rag both beneath and on top of the stain, and follow up with a powder cleaner that remains on the stain for 30 minutes or more before being vacuumed up.
That rug still looks as beautiful as the day we got it. And we use the same approach for less frequent wool rug accidents.
The product we use is called Capture Carpet & Rug Dry Cleaner manufactured by Milliken (I have no relationship with them whatsoever). And while I haven't found a greener product to do the job, I would be open recommendations, but can say that Capture is deemed safe for homes with pets and children.
This type of attention to care is the nature of owning natural fiber rugs: nice things need to be treated nicely.
Think of It Like This
It's not unlike caring for your clothing. While you may typically wear washable items that can be thrown into the washer with one another, you can enjoy linen, silk and wool pieces; you simply have to take a little extra care and set them aside to wash separately in the gentle cycle.
That being said, if you truly have what I call a "Ruggable lifestyle" - kids, pets, heavy day-to-day wear and regular exposure to dirt and spills - then a beautiful rug that can go directly into the washer is definitely a smart choice for you.
An Additional Expectation Regarding Natural Fibers
The beauty of natural fibers lies in their organic, rich and varied tones. No rugs made from the same natural fibers will ever look exactly alike - a distinctiveness that should be valued.
Likewise, hand-craftsmanship ensures that every Natural Rug Co. rug is truly one-of-a-kind. Variations between rugs is part of their beauty, and certainly not a defect.
If consistency and perfect uniformity are what you're seeking, however, you may want look at machine-made options. It's all about setting the right expectations.