Posts Tagged ‘maintaining burlap’
Innovative, New Jute and Fiber Products Rediscovered
Friday, April 22nd, 2016
Tags: bulk burlap rolls, burlap, burlap bag uses, burlap bags, burlap crafts, burlap nursery supplies, burlap protection, burlap rolls, burlap uses, burlapped tree, cleaning burlap, gardening with burlap, growing plants using burlap, jute, jute bags, jute matting, maintaining burlap, outdoor uses for burlap, reusing burlap bags, summer burlap protection, winter burlap protection
Posted in Agricultural Packaging, Burlap, Citrus Produce Bags, Flood Protection, Grain and Feed Bags, Industrial Packaging, Military Sandbags, Nursery Horticulture, Nursery Supplies, NYP-Corp News, Sandbags | No Comments »
Quick History
For many centuries, jute has been traditionally used for the manufacturing of woven fabrics, ropes, nets, and yarns in order to package other materials. Hessian fabric, also known as burlap in the US and Canada is made from the skin of jute plants or sisal fibers and other vegetable fibers.
It originated in India for rope and paper production, then the English brought it to Britain and the Scottish made it into yarn. Bangladesh and India are the world’s largest producers of Burlap today with close competition from China, Myanmar, Brazil, and Thailand.
Jute is largely grown in the Ganges delta where climates are warm and humid and there are 2-3 inches of rainfall per week. Two varieties include plants related to hibiscus and cotton. The outer stem of the plant goes through a process called retting where they are soaked and broken down into workable fibers. The fibers are woven into dense fabrics that are strong, flexible, biodegradable, and extensively recycled due to their various uses.
For a long time, the use of jute and other fiber products were declining due to new synthetic technologies, but recently there has been a surge to return to these products for new innovative and environmentally conscious reasons.
Natural Fabrics
Geotextiles and technical textiles are made of jute matting, coconut coir, straw, and wood fiber materials that absorb moisture, maintain flexibility and drain well. This makes them perfect for agricultural, structural, and civil engineering.
Highway Construction
When large quantities of the earth are moved it creates bare slopes and hillsides that easily erode. Temporary protective barriers made with plant fibers are installed to stop erosion while still allowing vegetation to grow for a more permanent solution of grass, plants, trees and rocks.
Environmental Emergencies
When it comes to natural disasters like landslides, floods and fires, sandbags are used to protect against moving soil, water, and extinguishing chemicals, then naturally disintegrate over time. They are inexpensive enough for use in developing countries.
Other Uses
Some other uses of raw fiber like jute are used for composites, insulation, soil layer separation, pond construction, rope to secure trees, camouflage nets, and shading.
Not all geotextiles are made of natural products so be sure to ask when looking for supplies. There are three types:
- Non-woven for drainage, stabilization, and filtering
- Woven for road construction, under rip rap, for heavy erosion on embankments and steep slopes
- Coir for sediment control and bio-engineering in short-term applications.
Whether you are preparing for a major commercial project or doing some landscaping at home, burlap and other jute matting and materials are durable and versatile products that get the job done without harming the environment or requiring removal when you are done. The long history of plant fiber products and their clever and practical uses has been rediscovered.
How to Care for Burlap
Thursday, September 22nd, 2011
Tags: burlap, cleaning burlap, hessian, jute, maintaining burlap
Posted in Arts and Crafts, Burlap, NYP-Corp News | No Comments »
Burlap, also known as hessian, is a durable, rough fabric made from jute that can be used for different purposes including storage, home decorations and sandbags for flood protection.
However, it is susceptible to fraying and disintegrating at many different methods of washing. This is problematic since burlap can often hold strong and stubborn odors and stains. Even if it’s just being used for storage, many people can become frustrated with the unpleasant smells since odor can easily transfer to whatever is being stored.
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