Editor’s Note
Have you ever seen a beautiful outdoor wedding or a cozy farmhouse kitchen? If you have, you probably saw a rough, brown fabric being used for table runners or ribbons. That beautiful, natural material is called burlap. It is super cheap and looks amazing for rustic home decor. But, if you have ever bought a roll of burlap, you know it comes with big problems! It smells very strange, and it leaves tiny, dusty hairs all over your house.
Do not panic! In this easy guide, we will teach you the professional secrets to remove that funny smell, stop the messy shedding, and wash your burlap without destroying it.
What exactly is Burlap?
Before we fix the problems, what is this fabric? Burlap (some people call it Hessian) is not made from soft cotton. It is made from the skin of the jute plant.
Because it is made from strong plant fibers, it is incredibly tough. Farmers used to use it to make giant potato sacks and coffee bean bags. Today, it is one of the most popular and eco-friendly fabrics in the world. When you are done using it, you can even throw it in your garden dirt, and it will safely melt back into the earth!
The Big Problem #1: How to Get Rid of the Smell
When you open a new package of burlap, your nose will be hit with a strong, musty, earthy odor. This is because the fabric is treated with natural plant oils to keep it strong. Here is how to make it smell fresh:
The Sunshine TrickÂ
The easiest way to kill the smell is free! Take your burlap outside. Hang it over a chair in the bright, hot sunlight for two days. The fresh air and the hot sun will naturally pull the bad odor out of the fabric.
The Baking Soda MagicÂ
If the smell is still there, lay the fabric flat on a table. Sprinkle a thick layer of dry baking soda all over it. Let it sit for three days. Baking soda is a sponge for bad smells. After three days, take it outside and shake the white powder off.
The Vinegar SprayÂ
Create a natural deodorizing solution by combining equal parts distilled water and white vinegar in a fine-mist spray bottle. Mist the upholstery delicately, allowing the acetic acid to neutralize odors as it air-dries. When the vinegar dries, the smell will be completely gone!
The Big Problem #2: How to Stop the Fraying and Shedding
Burlap is woven very loosely. If you cut it with scissors, the edges will instantly start to fall apart (fray). It also sheds tiny dusty hairs everywhere. Here are the crafter’s secrets to stop the mess:
How to Cut Burlap Perfectly Straight
Do not just start cutting with scissors! First, make a tiny cut at the edge. Find one single thread and pull it all the way out of the fabric. This will leave a clear, empty line across the fabric. Now, simply cut right down that empty line. Your cut will be perfectly straight!
How to Stop the Edges from Fraying
Once you cut it, take a small brush and paint the cut edge with liquid craft glue (like Mod Podge). The glue will dry totally clear and lock the threads together forever!
How to Stop the Shedding
To stop the tiny hairs from falling on your clothes, take a bottle of cheap aerosol hairspray. Spray a light mist over the entire piece of fabric. It acts like an invisible net and stops the shedding!
The Right Way to Wash Burlap
Warning Never put burlap in your washing machine! The machine will rip the loose threads, and the giant amount of lint will clog your washing machine pipes.
Here is the only safe way to wash it:
- Fill your bathtub or a large plastic bucket with cold water. (Hot water will shrink it!).
- Add a tiny drop of gentle liquid dish soap.
- Push the burlap under the water and let it soak for 5 minutes. Do not twist it or scrub it, or it will fall apart.
- Rinse it with clean cold water.
- Never squeeze or wring it out! Just lay it flat on a dry towel outside to air dry.
Beautiful Burlap Decor Ideas for Your Home
Now that your fabric is clean, soft, and smelling great, let’s use it to decorate! Burlap looks amazing when you mix it with elegant items.
The Perfect Rustic Table SettingÂ
Cut a long, straight strip of burlap and lay it down the middle of your dining table. If you read our Perfect Table Place Setting guide, you can place a beautiful white Charger Plate right on top of the rustic burlap. The mix of rough fabric and shiny plates looks like a professional magazine cover!
Romantic Party CenterpiecesÂ
Do you remember our guide on Floating Candles? Take a glass bowl, wrap a small strip of burlap around the middle, and tie it with a string. Fill the bowl with water and add your candles. It is the perfect centerpiece for a farmhouse dinner!
Graduation Party DecorÂ
If you are using our Graduation Party Ideas, burlap is a great, cheap way to decorate. You can cut triangles out of burlap, paint letters on them, and hang a beautiful “Class of 2026” banner across the wall!
Soft and Rough ContrastÂ
Interior designers love to mix rough textures with soft ones. Try tying a rough burlap ribbon around a soft, white piece of Tulle Fabric on the back of a dining chair. Complete the look by serving water in a fancy crystal Goblet!
How to Iron Wrinkled Burlap
When burlap dries, it might look very wrinkled. Can you iron it? Yes!
Turn your iron to the highest heat setting and turn the steam on. Place a thin, damp cotton towel over the burlap. Do not let the hot iron touch the burlap directly. Press down firmly with the steam. The wrinkles will magically disappear, and the fabric will look perfectly flat and neat.
FAQs
Can I put burlap in the clothes dryer?Â
No! A hot clothes dryer will shrink the fabric, make it very stiff, and fill your lint trap with a dangerous amount of fuzz. Always air dry it naturally.
Does burlap come in other colors?
Yes! Natural burlap is brown, but you can buy it dyed in beautiful colors like red, green, and navy blue at any local craft store.
Is burlap safe for outdoor gardens?
Absolutely. Burlap is 100% natural. Gardeners use it to wrap the roots of small trees in the winter to keep them warm. It is totally safe for the earth.
Conclusion
Burlap is a beautiful, cheap, and eco-friendly fabric that can make any room look like a cozy farmhouse. By using simple tricks like sunshine to remove the smell, hairspray to stop the shedding, and gentle cold water to wash it, you will never have to worry about the mess again. Now grab a roll of burlap, try our easy cutting trick, and start creating amazing decorations for your home today!
