Over the last several months our team has been quietly obsessing over a new and improved method for conditioning our jute. We wanted a method that produced softer smoother ropes from the start. And we finally found something that we are really proud of!
All jute rope from the Shibari Store is now treated with a custom blend of organic, GMO-free soy wax and camellia oil. The treatment has always been vegan, and that hasn't changed, but the switch to this new blend makes a tangible difference to how the rope feels and behaves from the moment you first handle it: noticeably softer, and significantly less prone to shedding and fluffing.
The blend: soy wax and camellia oil
After testing quite a few combinations across different rope diameters and bundle lengths, we settled on a specific ratio of soy wax and camellia oil that does two distinct things at once: wax binds the jute fibres together and locks them in place, reducing shedding while the camellia oil softens and conditions those same fibres, keeping them supple. This produces a rope that holds its structure and sheds less, while also being noticeably softer and more pleasant to handle from the first time you pick it up.
It does add a step to our treatment process, which means more time and hands-on attention per rope. We knew that going in, and we decided it was worth it because the results speak for themselves.
Soy wax is derived from hydrogenated soybean oil and is one of the few plant-based waxes with a fine enough grain structure to penetrate natural fibres rather than simply coating them. Unlike paraffin (petroleum-derived) or beeswax, which tend to sit on the surface and can make rope feel stiff or tacky, soy wax works its way into the strand and binds the individual fibres together from within. It's also softer and more flexible than most other waxes at room temperature, which means it conditions as it binds. This means that the rope stays workable rather than becoming brittle or waxy to the touch.
This is what makes the real difference with regards to shedding: the fibres that would otherwise sit loosely on the surface and break free with handling are instead held consolidated within the strand, so the rope stays clean and structured both during a session and over its lifetime.
Camellia oil is pressed from the seeds of the Camellia japonica plant, the same family as the tea plant, and has been used in Japan for centuries to condition and protect natural materials, from hair and skin to woodwork and blades. Its high oleic acid content (typically around 80%) means it absorbs deeply into fibres rather than sitting on the surface, which is why it's so effective: it doesn't leave a tacky or greasy residue, it doesn't go rancid quickly, and it works throughout the material rather than just coating it.
In the context of jute rope, which comes off the reel quite stiff and tends to stiffen further after heat treatment, that deep absorption is exactly what you want. The oil keeps the fibres supple throughout the strand, producing a noticeably softer hand feel without reducing grip or making the rope slippery to work with. It also gives the rope a clean, healthy sheen that we think looks as good as it handles.
Together, the two ingredients address what we've always found to be the two main complaints about jute: the roughness when it's new, and the way it sheds. We're really proud of this finish.
Coming soon: vegan rope goo!
We're also currently developing a vegan rope goo — a home conditioning treatment you can apply yourself to refresh and maintain your rope between uses. It's a natural extension of the work we've put into the new rope treatment, and we'll share more details as soon as it's ready.
In the meantime, our Rope Lube is already vegan — it's a blend of camellia oil and jojoba oil, and it works well for ongoing maintenance.
A note on care
If your rope starts to feel dry after heavy use, a small amount of our Goo or Lube worked in by hand will bring it back. Full care guidance can be found on the rope care product pages and on our rope guide section.
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