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Drying Jute Rope

How to Avoid Warping

Jute fibres absorb water and will warp when wet, causing the rope to shrink in length and expand in width. If these fibres are not straightened while drying, the rope will feel uneven and swollen, losing its ideal feel and flexibility. If this happens, wet the rope again and dry it again, following these steps to dry your rope properly.

Steps for Drying Jute Rope

Hang in Loose Coils

After washing or exposure to moisture, hang the rope in loose coils until it stops
dripping.

Stretch It Tight

Once the rope is damp but no longer dripping, lay it out fully and stretch it tight using a stable object or help from a friend.

Secure the Ends

Attach each end of the rope to a stable object to keep it firm and at least four feet
off the ground.

Avoid tying direct knots in the rope, as these will leave permanent twists when dry. Instead, you can tie twine to the ends and use the twine for securing.

Apply Tension

Hang a small weight (about one pound, such as a 16oz water bottle) at the center of the rope to maintain tension while drying.

Let It Air Dry Completely

Allow the rope to hang in this stretched position until fully dry. Avoid re-tightening the rope during the drying process. Depending on your climate, this could take several days.

A fan directed at the rope can speed up drying, but do not apply additional direct heat.

Recondition as Needed

The rope will likely need to be conditioned again to reintroduce the oils removed when the rope was wet.

Reapply rope butter if the rope feels stiff after drying.