Good Questions: Tips for Jute Rug?

I've got my eye on Ballard Designs' Coventry Jute Rug for our living room, in either brown or natural. Anyone have experience with this rug? Ballard doesn't offer swatches for this rug and I haven't had luck finding reviews online. I want to make sure it's a quality piece (durability and color) before shelling out the dough for it. Our cat loves to scratch the rug that's in the living room now, so any rug that replaces it will have to withstand kitty's claws. Also, we often eat in the living room; what's the best way to care for jute if something should spill on it? Can Scotchguard be used to protect it? Thanks! Laura

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Comments (10)

It's more money, but Dash and Albert has rugs with a very similar design (in several colors and many sizes)--theirs are polypropylene, which would be more durable and easy-to clean:
http://www.dashandalbert.com/product/view/diamond-khaki-white-indoor-outdoor-rug--RDB136

posted by iphigenia on June 11th 2009 at 9:47am
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jute, or any of its natural cousins, is an invitation if your cat likes to claw. i had a small jute rug in the kitchen and between the cat and the occasional spill i had to toss it before a year was out. they cost less to purchase but aren't, imo, a good investment. these days i go for cotton or wool. those i can clean and the cat doesn't think they're huge scratching posts.

posted by cometz on June 11th 2009 at 9:56am
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I was at a carpet store last week and was looking at a jute rug and the saleswoman said that I'd have "Issues" if I spilled something on it. My indication was that it wasn't an awesome choice if you're going for a lighter colour. Wish I had more info, sorry.

posted by iheartdesign on June 11th 2009 at 10:12am
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I've had jute rugs that held up relatively well to cat scratching, but they're pretty worthless when it comes to spills. The coarse natural fibers are super absorbent and don't respond well to cleaning products. Really not recommended for food areas.

posted by callithrix on June 11th 2009 at 10:25am
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A similar polypropylene version here:

http://www.americancountryhomestore.com/diamond-khaki-white-indoor-outdoor-rug_p_1513_12043_7.cfm

Totally washable!

posted by shockthebourgeois on June 11th 2009 at 10:45am
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Sounds like you need a wool rug....
...and Pedi-Paws for your cat.

posted by bepsf on June 11th 2009 at 11:18am
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Thanks everyone. No jute for me! And the cat does indeed need a claw-trimming. :)

posted by lkiernan on June 11th 2009 at 12:02pm
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Thanks for the American Country Home info. Nice rugs: free shipping.

posted by donnahobrien on June 11th 2009 at 12:02pm
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Just don't do berber! My cat is constantly attached to that -- and not on purpose.

posted by beanorama on June 11th 2009 at 12:32pm
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I had a jute rug it lasted about 8 months with a dog, never again.

beanorama-I have berber in my guest/rental bedroom. My dog would go in there and roll around scratch his back because its the only carpet in my house. I would not hear him and go looking for him he would be caught on the carpet with his color..bad stuff. Now I keep that door shut.

posted by LoriSF on June 11th 2009 at 12:49pm
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