Burlap is a versatile material, but it also tends to be stiff and smelly. Washing the burlap can make it more pleasant to work with, but you will need to wash it carefully to prevent the lint from falling off.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Method One: Hand Wash
Step 1. Remove the stain with a damp sponge
Dip a sponge in cold water, then apply it to any visible stains on the burlap.
- Squeeze out excess water before using to apply the stain.
- Dab or pat only on the stain. Don't rub it, as this will cause the stain to sink further into the fibers of the fabric.
- If you just want to clean the stain, wipe off the water with a dry towel as soon as the stain is gone. If you want to wash all parts of the burlap, continue with all of these steps.
Step 2. Fill a clean sink with cold water
Stop the milk tub and fill it halfway with cold water. Adjust the water as needed so that it is enough for you to completely soak the burlap.
- Do not use warm or hot water. Warm water can cause the fabric to shrink.
- Use a large bucket or tub if you don't have a clean or large enough sink.
- For small quantities of burlap or pieces of finished burlap, hand washing is preferable to washing in a washing machine. Burlap can begin to fray if handled roughly.
Step 3. Mix in a mild detergent
Pour a quarter to half of the liquid detergent cap into the water. Use your hands to shake the solution until the detergent dissolves and it starts to foam.
Step 4. Soak the burlap in it for five minutes
Submerge the burlap in the soapy water. Let it soak in the water for no more than five minutes before removing it.
- Leaving the burlap in the water should be enough to clean it. However, if you wish, you can also stir the burlap with your hands to shake it slightly and remove the dirt.
- Do not leave the burlap in the water for longer than five minutes. If you soak it for too long, it will start to loosen and flake.
Step 5. Rinse well
Remove the burlap from the soapy water and rinse under cold running water. Continue rinsing until the water that comes out from under the cloth is clear.
Step 6. Dry flat
Spread a dry towel on a flat, hard surface. Place the wet burlap on top, then stack a second dry towel on top. Allow the burlap to dry between the two towels.
- Do not squeeze water or twist wet cloth. Twisting the burlap while the material is still wet can cause the fabric to stray and damage.
- Change towels as needed until all the moisture is absorbed.
Method 2 of 3: Method Two: Machine Wash
Step 1. Wash the burlap cloth with warm water
Toss the burlap in the washing machine and add half a cap of mild liquid detergent, Set the machine to the "gentle" or "hand wash" setting in warm water and start the wash.
Machine washes are a little rougher, even if you use the gentle wash setting, so the burlap will experience more shock than hand washing. That way, this method can be used if you're pre-washing yards of burlap or if you're washing burlap that has hemmed edges, but should be avoided if you're washing bags or other fragile pieces
Step 2. Consider adding bleach and fabric softener
If you want to lighten the color of the burlap and remove the stain, add a little bleach to the bleach cup in your washing machine before starting the wash. To make the material softer, add some fabric softener to the machine.
- Remember that you should not add bleach or fabric softener if you plan to paint the fabric. This treatment can make it difficult for the paint to adhere to the fabric.
- A little bleach can go a long way. Bleach is very potent, and using too much can damage the burlap.
Step 3. Repeat, if needed
After your first wash is complete, smell and hold your burlap. If the smell and texture is still not to your liking, put it back in the warm water wash and a gentle wash.
- You can repeat this once or twice, but washing it too often can cause the material to weaken and fray.
- Add detergent to the additional wash but do not add bleach or fabric softener.
Step 4. Dry the burlap in the machine
If you want to make the burlap softer, put the fabric in the dryer and set it to the regular setting. Machine dry the cloth until it is completely dry.
Step 5. Alternatively, air dry the cloth
For a gentler treatment, hang a wet burlap over two wooden or plastic chairs and let it air dry for a few hours.
Air drying is a better option than machine drying because it uses less power and causes no additional damage. If the burlap doesn't look damaged after being machine washed, it's probably safe to machine dry it. However, if the fabric looks frayed and damaged, air dry it
Step 6. Clean the washer and dryer after use
Burlap leaves a lot of fluff and lint after you wash it. Wipe your washer clean after you've cleaned the burlap and remove any lint from your dryer's filter.
- If you have a dryer wire cleaner, you should use it to ensure that no lint gets into the dryer vents.
- Not cleaning lint and fabric residue from your machine can cause permanent damage to your machine.
Method 3 of 3: Method Three: Remove Odor
Step 1. Let the burlap air out
Slight odors can usually be removed by leaving the burlap to dry in the sun and fresh air. Leave it for a few hours.
- Dry the burlap in warm, sunny weather, but avoid placing it in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause fabric to fade and dry too much, and jute fabric that is too dry can become brittle.
- But some sun can help lighten or remove blemishes.
- Bring a cloth indoors if it starts to rain, snow, or sleet.
- Check the burlap after letting the air out. If the smell has reduced enough, you can stop after this step. If not, continue with the next step.
Step 2. Sprinkle baking soda over the cloth
Spread the burlap on a flat surface and sprinkle baking soda all over the surface. Leave it for two to four days, then remove the baking soda by shaking it.
- Baking soda can neutralize many odors.
- If you're cleaning a burlap bag, sprinkle some baking soda in the bag and let it sit. On a sheet of burlap, simply sprinkle baking soda over the surface.
- If the fabric no longer smells, you can stop after this step. If the smell persists, repeat the procedure with baking soda or move on to the next option.
Step 3. Alternatively, soak the burlap in the vinegar solution
Mix a solution of four parts cold water and one part distilled white vinegar. Soak the cloth in this solution for two to three minutes.
- Vinegar can deodorize and brighten fabrics.
- Do not use undiluted vinegar, as its acidic property can damage the fabric.
- Do not combine this method with the technique of using baking soda. The chemical reaction that occurs when baking soda and vinegar meet can cause damage to the burlap.
Step 4. Rinse with plain water
After soaking the cloth in the vinegar, make sure you rinse off the entire vinegar under cold running water.
If you can't get rid of all the baking soda, you can get rid of it using cold water as well
Step 5. Air dry
After rinsing the cloth, place it between two clean, dry towels. Let it dry completely before using it.
