This fragrance was NOT with the sisal from hobby lobby.
I know it is not the flax oil, therefore, just as a double checker.
I reflected back to when I was researching and posting on this thread, where I was questioning about the following, from regarding "herman's store", and we were discussing it:
the only thing I do have a concern about is what he is saying about the fragrance of his jute he's getting/offering.
"This rope is a natural fiber product, and the organic nature of the jute fiber gives it the unique natural fragrance. Over time that fragrance goes away, but when it is new, you certainly know it because of the natural fragrance!"
Here's the thread link: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=9610
So I believe this is true, and it is the natural fragrance that jute has.
I did a bit more research, and am still doing it before I use this with my bird, as well as hung the jute outside and in the sun to air out, to see about for the fragrance to go away BEFORE USING IT WITH MY BIRD.
Going to order a bit from "herman's store" to compare the smell, and see if it is the same smell.
I would not give it to my bird without airing it out to give it time to get rid of that natural fragrant.
I had some jute left over on hand, which I'd purchased from online through junglebeaks.com and it very, very faintly, had kind of the same odor, BUT HARDLY AT ALL. So this is making sense.
Upon my further research reading things over the internet about jute and fragrance of the jute plant, I'd found things about the fact that jute is indeed organic, about getting odor out of jute rugs - first - that when jute comes in contact with water, the water breaks it down and makes it weaker in strength, and about one of the natural ways is to put the rug outside, letting it bake in the sun for a day, to air out, etc., and that humidity will also trigger this natural fragrant in the jute to come out. Letting it air out, and dry out in the sun, takes care of anything with the humidity also.
The Sun
Take your jute rug outside and let it bake for one day in the warmth of the sun. The dry heat will help remove any humidity that is contributing to odors that originate from the jute itself.
I would NOT use the boiling method for the jute, therefore, because that will break it down and weaken it.
So I am experimenting and researching with different things, with this jute, before I actually use it to make a toy.
It seems to be all coming together, per the information so far, about the fact that being that the jute plant is organic, and it having a natural fragrance, and this fragrance will go away over time.
There are herbs, which have a natural fragrance (if you’ve ever visited an herb garden, for example, etc.). Peppermint herb while it’s growing smells like peppermint, etc., oregano, thyme, garlic, etc.
We know we want to be extremely careful with anything which has fragrant or fumes, so of course we would take the natural way, letting this jute air out, before use, to get rid of the fragrant.
And for example:
http://www.birdsnways.com/birds/isafe.htm
Acrylic and Marbella plastic are also used in toy construction. These
products are considered safe as long as not ingested.
If you are going to glue toy parts together, make sure the glue is non-toxic, such as Elmers Children's glue. Plumbers glue can also be used as it is safe after it completely dries. BUT, it does emit toxic fumes during the application process and should be used in a well ventilated area that is in a separate building from your birds. Acrylic and Marbella plastic also emit toxic fumes during the cutting and drilling process so take special care while performing these processes.
This also tells me that once the jute airs out for that natural fragrant to ware off, it may be very well safe, and ready for use with birds for toys.
I will post more as I find out, my findings, per my researching with this. But I would not give it to birds without airing it out like this first, to see about getting rid of that odor. I would imagine that when vendors are selling jute in/for the bird business industry, they are airing it out first. Do ya’ll see how this could be very well all pointing together? And the fact that one source says the jute plant having a natural fragrant that will go away over time. And another source having the same fragrant but hardly noticeable?
I took my rolls of jute out of the plastic for storing to let it be airing out as well. I bought one 3 ply roll and one 4 ply roll. I then took 10 feet of each, and hung it outside, and will leave it outside for a few days. At night, I take it to hang it inside overnight, because I don’t want anything per the night air getting to it (IE: at times it gets cooler at night, which could make things dampen, etc.). Also, I do not want it to be rained on, so if it rains overnight, I don’t have to worry about it. Then in the morning, I hang it outside again. I’m doing this over a weekend because I don’t work on Saturdays and Sundays. Watch your weather reporting when you’re doing this, because when you’re at work, you can just as well leave it hanging inside as well. You can do it this way, because you’ll probably be using about 10 feet at a time, like it may probably take you a bit of time, to use up 10 feet, for making toys.
The good things I’ve found in my readings about the jute is that it is also biodegradable, and is indeed a fiber, fibrous material. The fact that it is biodegradable, means that it is digestable, and breaks down easy.
