Jute rugs commonly experience something called “sprouting”. Sprouting is observed in the form of small fibers sticking up from the rug for a period after it’s installed.

Sprouting is common, and requires nothing more than clipping down the fibers that have popped up. The process is similar to the initial shedding of a wool or synthetic fiber rug and over time, the need for clipping back these fibers with diminish.

You definitely should not let this scare you away from jute as a natural fiber rug choice. Jute fibers are extremely strong yet have an surprisingly silky and soft feel. They also are a highly sustainable choice as jute plants grow quickly and jute yarns are 100% biodegradable.

Why do Jute Rugs Sprout?

Jute fibers are short as compared to sisal fiber for example, and because our jute rugs are made from hand-spun jute yarn, the short fibers have a natural tendency to pop out.  This is part of the natural character of these hand-braided and hand-sewn rugs.

Jute, being a natural fiber rug and thus an organic material, also adjusts to its environment. Warmer, cooler, dryer and more humid environments cause the rug fibers to expand and contract.

Where the rugs are woven it is very warm and so you can imagine that in moving to a cooler climate the fiber contraction could easily cause some sprouting as some shorter fibers can pull from the weave. The same rug in a different home environment might not experience much of a change at all and sprouting would be minimal.

We think that this is part of the charm of a natural fiber rug like jute. We like knowing that our homes are filled with healthy organic materials that react to us just as we we react to them. It doesn’t hurt that jute is silky smooth and very stylish as well.

See Merida’s Jute Area Rugs

Some of our Favorite Jute Rug Photos