Burlap is very porous, so it collects dirt easily.
The etymological origin of the term arpillera is uncertain, although it could be linked to the Aragonese sarpillera or the French serpillière . Burlap is a tow fabric that protects various elements from moisture and dust.
tow fabric
Tow, meanwhile, is a fabric that is made with hemp, linen or jute thread . With tow you can create the thick fabric called burlap, which is used as a cover, for the development of packaging products and in the manufacture of decorative objects and clothing, for example.
Burlap bags , to mention one case, are often used to package coffee , charcoal or fruits . Burlap is a fairly durable material, so it can also be used to create any kind of reusable bag .
In the field of upholstery, burlap is also used. It is possible to upholster armchairs and chairs with burlap, make rugs or even cover walls in a country-style environment. On the other hand, there are clothing designers who use burlap to create blouses , t-shirts and aprons .
Burlap Maintenance
It is important to keep in mind that, beyond its resistance and versatility, the maintenance of burlap requires various care. One of the most common problems is the breakage of the fibers , which is why it should be handled with caution and without stretching it too much.
On the other hand, burlap is especially prone to collecting bad odors, without needing to expose it to them for a long time. That is why we must make sure to leave it in well-ventilated places, every now and then taking it outdoors so that excess humidity is removed by the heat of the sun.
It is recommended to wash the burlap with cold water and avoiding scrubbing and twisting. To remove any unpleasant odors, it is usually suggested to sprinkle baking soda on the fabric and let it sit for at least a day before shaking out the burlap.
machine wash
As mentioned above, washing burlap is not difficult, but it requires taking into account certain recommendations to prevent an unpleasant odor from forming. In addition, if we wash it carefully we can also get rid of the dirt that is most difficult to remove , which tends to remain clinging to the fabric .
The first option is the easiest, although also the most financially expensive: using the washing machine. It is recommended not to place any other items in the machine , since it releases a lot of lint that could stick to other clothes. In fact, if we have many burlap products, it is also advisable not to put them all together. The amount of detergent we need is half of what we generally use; Regarding the type, it is not relevant.
The maximum recommended temperature is "warm", which the washing machine usually uses as part of its delicate programs . Regarding drying, do it outdoors, lying in a part of the house with good ventilation. Finally, shake it to remove excess lint; If necessary, use a special roller to remove it completely.
Burlap sacks with coffee beans
hand wash
While cold water is preferable, warm water can also be used. First of all, we must fill the sink, a bucket or even the bathtub, depending on the amount of burlap we must wash. Then, we add the necessary proportion of detergent (as we indicated above, half of what we use for clothes).
We submerge the fabric and push down so that it is completely moistened. We leave it between a quarter of an hour and twenty minutes in water, and finally we empty the container. We turn on the cold water tap and press the burlap gently under the stream to remove the soap and any traces of dirt. The last step is the same as machine washing, that is, we dry it in the sun.