Understanding Jute Fabric: Types, Properties, and Applications

What is Jute Fabric?

Jute fabric is made from the fibers of the jute plant, which is primarily grown in tropical countries like India and Bangladesh. Known scientifically as Corchorus olitorius and Corchorus capsularis, the jute plant offers fibers that are long, soft, and shiny, making them ideal for producing sturdy yet breathable textiles.

The process of turning jute plant fibers into fabric involves several steps. Initially, the fibers are extracted through retting—a process where bundles of jute stems are submerged in water to loosen and separate the fibers. Once extracted, these fibers are washed, dried, and then spun into yarn, which can be woven into various types of jute fabrics.

Jute’s natural brown color, high tensile strength, and low extensibility set it apart from other natural fibers. These unique properties make it particularly useful not only in the textile industry for making burlap, hessian, or gunny cloth but also in the garment sector for more refined and stylish apparel options.

History of Jute Fabric

The use of jute fabric dates back several centuries, predominantly in the Indian subcontinent, where it was traditionally used for making ropes and sackcloth. However, the industrial revolution of the 19th century marked a significant turning point for jute, propelling it into the global market as a major player in the textile industry.

During the British colonial era, jute mills flourished in Bengal, due to the ideal climatic conditions for growing jute and the availability of cheap labor. This period saw Dundee, Scotland, become known as “Juteopolis,” as the city’s mills were primarily engaged in processing and weaving jute imported from the Indian subcontinent.

The development of jute fabric continued to evolve, gaining momentum as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials in the 20th century. Today, jute is celebrated not only for its practical applications but also for its minimal environmental impact. The cultivation of jute enhances soil fertility for future crops, absorbs carbon dioxide, and requires minimal pesticide and fertilizer compared to other crops, making it a preferred choice for sustainable textile production.

Properties of Jute Fabric

Jute fabric is renowned for its outstanding physical and chemical characteristics, which make it both versatile and durable. Here are some key properties:

• Strength and Durability: Jute is one of the strongest natural fibers. It has inherent structural strength, which allows it to withstand significant stress before breaking. This characteristic makes jute fabric suitable for high-load carrying bags and protective coverings.
• Breathability and Moisture Control: The fabric’s breathability makes it comfortable to wear, especially in warm climates. Jute fibers are highly absorbent, making them excellent for moisture management in textiles.
• Insulation: Jute fabric provides natural acoustic and thermal insulation. This property is beneficial in home décor, such as for window treatments and carpet backing, but also has implications for insulated clothing.
• Antistatic Properties: Unlike many synthetic fibers, jute does not conduct electricity. Its low static properties make it comfortable to wear and use.
• Biodegradability: Jute degrades biologically in 1 to 2 years, making it an excellent choice for environmentally conscious consumers looking to reduce their ecological footprint.

The texture of jute fabric can be coarse, which has traditionally limited its use in rougher textile products like sacks and ropes. However, advancements in textile processing techniques have enabled the production of softer jute fabrics suitable for a wider range of applications, including apparel and furnishings. These softer versions retain all the beneficial properties of traditional jute while enhancing comfort and aesthetic appeal.

Production Process of Jute Fabric

The journey of jute from field to fabric is both fascinating and labor-intensive. Here’s a closer look at the production process:

1. Cultivation: Jute plants are typically grown in warm and humid regions, especially in countries like India and Bangladesh. The cultivation cycle for jute is about four to six months. Farmers prefer to grow jute because it enriches the fertility of the soil for subsequent crops.
2. Harvesting: Jute is harvested when the flowers start to bloom. The stems are cut close to the ground to maximize the length of the fiber.
3. Retting: This crucial step involves bundling jute stems and immersing them in slow-running water, which allows the fibers to separate from the stem through a process of microbial action. The quality of water and the duration of retting significantly affect the quality of the fibers.
4. Stripping: After retting, the non-fibrous material is scraped off, and the fibers are extracted by hand. This laborious process is what gives jute its artisanal value.
5. Spinning: The extracted fibers are then washed, dried, and spun into yarn. The spinning process can be done using traditional methods or with mechanical spinning frames, depending on the desired texture and strength of the yarn.
6. Weaving: The jute yarn is woven into fabrics using various weaving techniques that can influence the texture and weave pattern of the final product. This step is where the fabric’s design and functional qualities are formed.

Advancements in jute processing have led to the development of finer, softer jute fabrics that can be used in a broader range of products, including fashionable garments and upholstery.

Types of Jute Fabric

Jute fabric is celebrated for its variety, each type suited to different uses and applications in the textile industry. Here’s a revised overview of the types of jute fabric based on the information gathered:

1. Hessian or Burlap: This is a lighter form of jute with a looser weave, often used for bags, wall coverings, and decorative purposes due to its smoother texture compared to traditional burlap​.
2. Jute Twine: Made by twisting jute fibers together, jute twine is commonly utilized for tying, wrapping, and packaging and is praised for its strength and natural appearance​.
3. Jute Upholstery Fabric: Specifically designed for furniture upholstery, this type of jute fabric is durable and coarse, providing a textured and natural look to sofas, chairs, and other furnishings. It can be used in its natural color or dyed to fit design preferences​.
4. White Jute: Known for its lighter color and less durability, white jute is one of the basic varieties used primarily for less demanding applications.
5. Tossa Jute: A more robust variety, Tossa jute is a mainstay in jute production, known for yielding more fiber and being tougher, making it suitable for stronger and more durable jute products​.
6. Mesta Jute: This is a hybrid form of white and Tossa jute, combining some of the properties of both to create a versatile fabric used in various textile applications​.
7. Jute Cuttings: The byproducts of jute production are the roughest and least desirable parts of the jute plant, generally used for low-grade applications​.

Each type of jute fabric offers unique properties that make it suitable for different uses, from heavy-duty industrial applications to more refined decorative purposes. This versatility underscores Jute’s growing popularity in the sustainable textiles market.

Advantages of Jute Fabric

Jute fabric is highly regarded for its environmental sustainability and economic viability. It’s a natural, plant-based fiber known for its strength, low cost, and versatility across various applications, including textiles, agriculture, and geotextiles. Here are some of the key advantages:

• Environmental Impact: Jute is extremely sustainable; it grows quickly, requires minimal pesticides, and improves soil fertility. Its production consumes less water compared to cotton and absorbs significant amounts of carbon dioxide, making it a carbon-positive material​.
• Biodegradability: Jute is fully biodegradable and compostable, which minimizes environmental pollution. After its useful life, jute products can be composted, returning nutrients to the soil.
• Durability and Strength: Known as the ‘golden fiber,’ jute is one of the strongest natural fibers, lending itself well to products requiring high tensile strength, such as ropes and sacks​.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Jute is relatively inexpensive to produce, offering an economic advantage for various uses from packaging to home décor.
• Insulating Properties: It provides good thermal and sound insulation, which is beneficial in home furnishings and geotextiles.

Disadvantages of Jute Fabric

Despite its many benefits, jute also has some limitations that affect its versatility and application:

• Moisture Sensitivity: Jute absorbs moisture easily, which can lead to problems like mold and mildew if not stored properly or if used in damp environments​ .
• Rough Texture: While recent advances have made jute softer, traditionally, its coarse texture has limited its use in apparel, as it can be uncomfortable against the skin without proper treatment or blending with other fibers​.
• Maintenance Challenges: Jute fabric is not suitable for washing in machines and can be difficult to clean without causing damage. It also tends to wrinkle easily, requiring more maintenance to keep it looking good.

These properties highlight why jute is both a favored and occasionally challenging material to work with, balancing its eco-friendly attributes with some practical limitations in certain applications.

Jute Fabric Applications

Jute fabric’s applications in the garment industry are expanding as innovations improve its texture and versatility. Here’s how jute is being creatively integrated into modern apparel and accessories:

• Fashion Apparel: Designers are increasingly incorporating jute into their collections, using it for everything from outerwear, like jackets and coats, to accessories, such as hats and handbags. This is in part due to jute’s natural, rustic appeal, which fits well with eco-fashion trends.
• Home Décor: Beyond clothing, jute fabric is widely used in home décor for items like curtains, upholstery, and area rugs. Its durability and aesthetic appeal make it suitable for interior design elements that add a warm, natural touch.
• Footwear: Jute is also a popular choice for the manufacturing of eco-friendly footwear. The fiber’s strength and breathability make it ideal for summer shoes and espadrilles.
• Art and Craft: The robust nature of jute makes it excellent for craft projects, including tote bags, decorative baskets, and other handcrafted items that benefit from its texture and natural look.

How much does Jute fabric cost?

The cost of jute fabric varies depending on the type and quality. Generally, jute fabric is considered one of the more affordable textiles available, often priced around $1 per yard for basic types like burlap. This makes it comparable to the cost of cotton and significantly less expensive than many synthetic fabrics​ (Ludlow Jute & Specialities Ltd).

For more refined or specially treated jute fabrics, such as those dyed or waterproofed, prices can be higher. For example, on platforms like Etsy, you might find jute fabric priced at around $9.80 per yard, depending on the specific style and features​ (Etsy). Wholesale options are also available where jute fabric can be purchased in bulk, potentially reducing the cost per yard. For instance, standard 10 oz jute burlap can be found for around $5.99 per yard when bought by the yard from wholesale suppliers​ (Fabric Wholesale Direct).

These prices make jute an economical choice for various applications, from crafting and apparel to more industrial uses like packaging and upholstery. Consider incorporating jute into your next design project to take advantage of its unique properties and sustainability benefits. Visit Valtin Apparel to explore how we can help you integrate jute and other sustainable materials into your collections, driving both style and environmental responsibility.

FAQs on Jute Fabric for Clothing

1. Is jute good for clothing?
Jute can be used for clothing, particularly in rustic, eco-conscious fashion designs. Its natural, breathable properties make it suitable for warmer climates. However, due to its rough texture, it’s not commonly used for clothing that requires direct skin contact without some form of blending or treatment.

2. Why is jute fabric not preferred for making clothes?
Jute fabric is not widely used for clothing due to its coarse and rough texture, which can be uncomfortable against the skin. It also has limited elasticity, which restricts its use in form-fitting apparel.

3. How do you wash jute clothes?
Jute clothes should ideally be hand-washed or spot-cleaned with mild soap and cool water. It’s important to avoid fully submerging jute fabric in water as it can weaken the fibers.

4. Does jute fabric shrink?
Yes, jute fabric can shrink when exposed to water. To minimize shrinkage, avoid soaking jute fabrics and dry them by laying them flat or hanging them to maintain shape.

5. What happens if jute gets wet?
When the jute gets wet, it can become weaker and more prone to damage. It’s also susceptible to mold and mildew if not dried properly.

6. Can jute be machine washed?
It is not recommended to machine wash jute as the agitation and excess water can damage the fibers. If machine washing is necessary, use a gentle cycle and place the fabric in a mesh laundry bag to reduce stress on the material.

7. Does jute get dirty easily?
Jute does not get dirty easily due to its coarse texture and natural color, which can hide dirt well. However, stains can be challenging to remove once they set.

8. Is jute easy to maintain?
Maintaining jute can be challenging compared to other fabrics. It requires careful handling, especially when cleaning, to avoid damaging the fibers. Proper storage and occasional spot cleaning are recommended.

9. Does jute take a long time to dry?
Jute can take a while to dry, especially if it absorbs a lot of moisture. It’s best to air dry jute in a well-ventilated area to prevent mold and mildew growth.

10. What is the lifespan of jute?
The lifespan of jute fabric depends on its use and care. With proper maintenance, jute can last several years, even in demanding applications like rugs and upholstery. For clothing, its longevity will depend on how often it is worn and how well it is cared for.