How to Soften Jute Rope
If you’re looking to soften up jute rope for a project, you can use a few different methods. One is to soak the rope in water for a while, which will make it more pliable. You can also rub petroleum jelly or baby oil onto the rope to make it more flexible.
If you’re working with a particularly stiff piece of rope, you may also want to heat it up slightly before using it. By following these tips on how to soften jute rope, you’ll be able to work with jute rope like a pro! So keep reading this blog post till the end!
8 Effective Ways on How to Soften Jute Rope
1. Soak the Jute Rope in Water:
Heat water to almost boiling point. Preferably use heat-resistant gloves when handling hot water. Dip both ends of the rope into the pot and stir for about ten minutes. When you feel that it is taking too long, plunge one end into cold water or run under tap water to let it cool down. Continue the process for about fifteen minutes to half an hour. Repeat this step three times.
2. Boil the Jute Rope:
Bring a pot of water to boil and add one tablespoon of baking soda, one teaspoon of dishwashing soap, or any gentle soap on your skin or clothes. Also, add one tablespoon of vinegar.
Dip both ends of the rope into the pot and stir for about five minutes. When you feel that it is taking too long, plunge one end into cold water or run under tap water to let it cool down. Continue the process for fifteen to twenty minutes. Repeat this step three times.
3. Soak the Jute Rope in a Bucket Filled With Vinegar:
Pour undiluted white vinegar into a bucket until it reaches about four inches from the top bar. Submerge both ends of your jute rope into this solution and leave overnight. In the next day, take the two ends out and as much as possible liquid from inside your rope by squeezing gently or wiping with a clean cloth. Then, hang the rope to dry in a well-ventilated area.
4. Submerge Them in a Bucket Filled With Washing Soda:
Mix washing soda and hot water to create a saturated solution. Then, pour it into your bucket until it reaches about four inches from the top bar. Submerge both ends of your jute rope into this solution and leave overnight.
5. Try Baking Soda Paste:
Make a soft, smooth paste using baking soda and water to subdue the jute smell. Rub this paste all along the rope or wherever you want to deodorize. Leave it overnight and wash it off with water in the morning.
6. Try Neem Paste:
Make a paste by mixing neem powder with water to subdue the jute smell. Rub this paste all along the rope or wherever you want to deodorize. Leave it overnight and wash it off with water in the morning.
7. Steam Them in a Steamer:
Fill up your steamer halfway with water, then add some vinegar at the bottom of the pot to prevent your rope from sticking. Bring the steamer to a boil and add your jute rope in batches of 20 inches at a time, so they do not overlap. Steam for ten minutes until the rope feels soft but still holds its shape, then take them out with tongs and let them cool on a wire rack or dishcloth.
8. Dip the Jute Rope in Vegetable Oil:
Heat some vegetable oil until hot but not smoking, then hold one end of your jute rope over a heatproof container or pot and pour a few drops of hot oil on the other end. Once the oil is hot, dip the rope in and hold for a few seconds but no longer than 10, as this may melt your rope or cause it to catch fire. Repeat until you can smell the oil burning off and your jute feels soft again.
Helpful Tips to Care for Your Natural Rope
1. When you first receive your Jute Rope, it may seem coarse and stiff. If this is the case, it’s time to soften your new rope!
2. Dissimilar ropes can be tied together if desired. For example: Using one yellow Jute Rope with another natural color (undyed) jute will produce a unique tie.
3. For the most part, jute ropes are generally narrower than other natural rope materials; we recommend using a larger diameter rope if you plan to tie it with your Jute Rope.
4. The Jute Rope ages beautifully with use, much like leather. Each rope has its character and will age in proportion to how it is cared for.
5. To clean your Jute Rope, wipe with a damp cloth. If the tie is particularly dirty, wash under cold water using a very mild soap. Dry flat or hang to dry if desired; be sure not to leave it to drip dry as this can cause tangling and matting.
Is It Safe to Use Fabric Softener for Ropes?
Fabric softener is something that most people have in their laundry rooms. This product makes clothes feel softer and more comfortable, but how does it work on a rope? Normally, rough, stiff ropes feel uncomfortable against the skin. Fabric softeners are designed to make clothing softer by adding a chemical component called Sodium Polyacrylate that absorbs water.
When you add fabric softener to clothes, it makes the clothing feel more comfortable because of this chemical reaction. For example, rope bondage enthusiasts have used fabric softeners on ropes to make them softer and less uncomfortable against the skin. This seems like a good idea, but is it? The short answer is no!
Fabric softeners are designed to make clothing softer by adding a chemical component called Sodium Polyacrylate that absorbs water. If the chemical is designed to absorb water, it will absorb moisture from your skin when tied up tightly with cotton rope. However, this would be very uncomfortable and may cause damage by drying out the skin.
Conclusion
In conclusion, by following the simple steps on how to soften the jute rope provided, you can soften your jute rope and make it more pliable for use. Boiling the rope in water will help soften it, as will soaking it in vinegar or lemon juice. If you have a clothes dryer, you can also use it to soften jute rope by placing the rope inside and running it on a low heat setting.
Whether you are using it for crafting or another purpose, softening it will make your project much easier. Have you ever softened jute rope before? What tips would you add? Let us know in the comment section below!
