Burlap is a versatile material, but it also has a toughness and a specific smell. Burlap will be more pleasant to use after washing, but it should be washed thoroughly to prevent fiber breakdown.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Hand wash
Step 1. Remove stains with a wet sponge
Dip the sponge in cold water, then rub off any visible stains on the burlap.
- Squeeze out excess water before rubbing the stain.
- Just blot or wipe off the stain. Do not scratch or scrub it, as this can cause the stain to seep deeper into the fibers of the material.
- If you only want to remove one stain, blot the moisture with a dry towel as soon as you wet the stain. If you are going to wash a whole piece of burlap, follow the steps below.
Step 2. Fill a clean sink with cold water
Close the sink with a stopper and fill it halfway with cold water. Adjust the amount of water as needed so that the burlap can be completely submerged in the water.
- Do not draw hot or warm water. Warm water may shrink the fabric.
- Use a large bucket or a bathroom if you don't have a clean large sink.
- For small or finished pieces of burlap, hand wash is recommended, not machine wash. Burlap can begin to creep if handled too roughly.
Step 3. Add a fabric softener
Pour a quarter to half cup of liquid fabric softener into the water. Stir the solution by hand until the product is completely dissolved in the water and forms a foam.
Step 4. Soak the burlap for five minutes
Submerge the burlap in soapy water. Soak it in water for no more than five minutes and remove it.
- Simply dipping the burlap in water should be enough to wash it off. If desired, however, you could gently stir the burlap by rubbing the dirt lightly with your hands.
- Do not leave burlap in water for more than five minutes. If you keep it in the solution for too long, the material may start to fray and come apart.
Step 5. Rinse well
Remove the burlap from the soapy water and rinse it under cold running water. Continue rinsing it until the water flowing down from the bottom of the material is clear.
Step 6. Dry evenly
Spread a dry towel on a hard, flat surface. Place a wet burlap on top and cover with a second dry towel. Let the burlap dry evenly between two towels.
- Do not squeeze out water or otherwise twist or pinch wet material. Curling the burlap fibers while the fabric is still wet can cause the fabric to warp and become damaged.
- Change towels as needed until they have absorbed all the moisture from the burlap.
Method 2 of 3: Using the washing machine
Step 1. Wash the burlap in warm water
Throw it in the washing machine and add half a cup of fabric softener. Set the machine to a “delicate” or “hand” wash using warm water and start.
Machine wash is a little rougher, even if you use it on the gentle cycle, so the burlap will fray more than hand wash. So this method works well if you need to wash a large amount of fabric for a project or your burlap with tightly finished edges, but should be avoided if you are washing delicate bags or other items
Step 2. Consider adding bleach and fabric softener
If you want to lighten the burlap or remove any stains, add a dose of bleach to the bleach compartment of your washing machine before starting the wash. To soften the fabric, add a standard dose of liquid fabric softener to the machine.
- Note that you do not need to add bleach or softener if you plan to use the fabric as a canvas for painting. After these procedures, it will be difficult for the paint to adhere to the fabric.
- Just a little bleach is enough. Bleach is powerful, and too much bleach can damage the burlap.
Step 3. Repeat as desired
After the first wash, smell and touch your burlap. If it still does not suit you by smell and touch, wash it again in warm water in a “delicate” wash cycle.
- You can repeat this wash once or twice, but too many washes can make the fabric feel weak and tousled.
- Add detergent for each additional wash, but do not add bleach or fabric softener.
Step 4. Dry the fabric in the typewriter
If you want the burlap to soften, toss the wet material into the tumble dryer and turn on the infusions normally. Dry the fabric in the tumble dryer until it is completely dry.
Step 5. Alternatively, you can air dry the burlap
For a more delicate approach, spread the damp burlap on two wooden or plastic chairs and let it air dry for several hours.
Air drying is actually preferable to machine drying, as it has less impact on the fabric and does not cause any additional damage to it. If the burlap is not damaged after you remove it from the drum, tumble dryers can be considered safe too. If the material seems frayed or frayed, it is best to air dry it
Step 6. Wash the washer and dryer when finished
Burlap leaves behind a lot of fluff and lint after washing. Thoroughly wipe the drum after washing the burlap and pulling out any lint from your tumble dryer.
- If you have a drum hose, you should use it to check if there are any burlap fibers left in the drum.
- Failure to wipe off dust and lint in your clipper can cause permanent damage.
Method 3 of 3: Eliminate odors
Step 1. Release the air from the burlap
Minor unpleasant odors can usually be dispelled simply by exposure to sunlight and fresh air. Let it air for a couple of hours.
- Place the burlap outside on a warm, sunny day, but don't leave it in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause material to burn out and dry out, and overdried burlap can become very fragile.
- However, partial sun exposure is considered beneficial as it can lighten or remove stains.
- Bring the burlap indoors if it starts to rain, snow, or hail.
- Check the burlap after airing in the fresh air. If the smell has worn off enough, you can stop there. If not, follow the rest of the steps.
Step 2. Sprinkle the material with baking soda
Spread the burlap on a flat surface and sprinkle with baking soda completely. Leave to sit for two to four days and then chill out the baking soda.
- Baking soda can neutralize many odors.
- If you are cleaning a bag with baking soda, put it inside and leave. For flat burlap pieces, simply sprinkle baking soda on the surface.
- If the burlap no longer smells, you can stop after this step. If some smell still remains, repeat the procedures with baking soda or go to the next method.
Step 3. Also, soak the burlap in the vinegar solution
Stir 1: 4 vinegar in cold water. Soak the burlap in this solution for two to three minutes.
- Vinegar deodorizes and refreshes burlap.
- Do not use undiluted vinegar as its acidic properties can damage the material.
- This method should not be combined with the soda method. The chemical reaction that occurs when mixing baking soda and vinegar can damage the burlap.
Step 4. Rinse with plain water
After soaking the material in vinegar, make sure you rinse the vinegar thoroughly under cold running water.
If you cannot rinse off the baking soda, wash the material even better in cold water
Step 5. Air dry
After rinsing the burlap, fold it between two clean, dry towels. Let it dry completely before using it.