You probably have a rustic rug, curtains, bags, and furniture made of jute. Both designers and consumers have liked jute bags, shoes, furniture, rugs, and curtains for a long time. The rustic and earthy style and texture are very appealing, hence the many home applications.
Important to note is that jute is one of the most produced fabrics, actually second in production to cotton. It has a variety of uses and is also one of the most affordable natural fibers.
What is Jute?
It is a textile fiber made from the jute plant. Note that there are several jute varieties, and the most commonly used species to make the fiber is the Corchorus capsularis (white jute).
Jute is a leafy and edible vegetable that produces soft, long and shiny fiber and is extensively cultivated in India and Bangladesh. The plants can grow up to 10 feet high, making some of the longest fiber strings when harvested.
How is Jute Fabric Made?
The fiber is extracted from the plants’ stems. The long shiny fibers are then converted into threads that can be used for various applications.
The process starts with the harvesting of mature jute stalks by hand. The stalks are defoliated, leaving the stems behind, which are then retted to separate the non-fibrous parts from the fiber. The materials are separated, and the jute fibers are combed.
The resulting long strings are then spun into yarn and subjected to different chemical processes for finishing. The finished product is taken to textile facilities and converted into fabric.
What Are the Uses of Jute?
Jute fabric is versatile, giving it multiple applications. It is a very popular fiber used for making ropes, clothes, and a wide range of household items such as chairs, curtains, rugs, and sacks.
Due to the fiber’s environmental friendliness, it is widely being used to reduce dependence on synthetic fibers.
What Are the Qualities of Jute?
Generally, jute is a rough fiber. This characteristic limits its application in apparel; to be used for making clothes, it has to undergo a long production process to make it suitable. However, its coarse texture makes it the best option for industrial application.
It is resistant to abrasion and is known to absorb water and dry fast. Because it is a natural fiber, jute tends to degrade quickly, providing limited outdoor application durability.
Jute is loved for its resilience and breathability; it is also anti-static. It is an eco-friendly and cost-effective fiber which makes it an excellent choice for household products. Jute blends well with other synthetic fibers, making it versatile in use.
Jute fiber has been used for many centuries, and it remains one of the most popular natural fibers with a wide range of industrial applications.
Jute is versatile, easy to produce, and affordable, making it the best natural fiber for use in making shopping bags, ropes, carpets, rugs, and curtains, to mention a few. Jute has many environmental benefits and is loved for its strength, versatility, and cost-effectiveness.