Benefits of Hemp Fabric

Hemp, A Wonderful Fabric

If you love the world of fabrics, you know that natural fabrics are always the way to go. One of those great natural fabrics is hemp. The benefits of hemp fabric are almost endless.

There are multiple fabrics in the world today that we currently use. They are either 

• Natural fabrics
• Synthetic fabrics 
• Or a blend of both 

Right now, let's talk about hemp fabric and the benefits it can bring to your life.

What is Hemp Fabric?

Hemp fabric is a highly breathable, durable, and eco-friendly material. The fibers of the hemp fabric come from the Cannabis sativa plant. Like linen, it doesn't need a lot of water or pesticides to grow. This is why people praise it for being such a great, natural fabric.

A Very Important Disclaimer

A very important disclaimer to make is that even though it's made from the Cannabis sativa plant, it should not be compared with the cannabis (marijuana) that many of us know. It's important to understand that even if they come from the same plant species, they are used for entirely different things. This is something we often see in the world of plants.

For example: If we look at a garden rose and a strawberry you will find that they are from the same plant family (Rosaceae). However, as you know, they are used for very different things. You wouldn't eat a garden rose, but you would eat a strawberry. The exact same concept applies to cannabis and hemp.

Summary: What is Hemp Fabric?

Hemp fabric is a durable, breathable, and eco-friendly material made from the Cannabis sativa plant. While it comes from the same plant family as marijuana, it is entirely different and is grown specifically for industrial and textile purposes. 

Because it requires very little water and almost no pesticides to grow, it is one of the most sustainable natural fabrics available today.

What is Hemp Good For?

If we look outside the world of household fabrics, hemp has been used throughout history for many important things. It was actually hemp paper that the US Constitution was drafted on. 

Also, the sails of historical ships like the Santa Maria, Niña, and Pinta were made from hemp.

When we look back at household fabrics, hemp can bring a lot of benefits into your life. Here are just a few:

Towels and Bath Linens (Highly Absorbent)

Hemp is often praised for being highly absorbent, and this is because of the fibers it is made from. 

Hemp fibres are porous, which means they are filled with tiny cavities called lumens. These lumens act basically like microscopic straws. 

When they come into contact with water, they can suck the moisture away very quickly. If you ever use a hemp towel, that's why it often feels dry even just after you've used it to wipe something.

It also helps that hemp fibres have a larger surface area than something like silk or polyester. More surface area means there are more places for the water molecules to attach themselves.

But it's also important to know that while a hemp towel can absorb water, it can also evaporate that moisture very quickly. This is something many fabrics can’t do naturally and safely.

The fibres of the hemp fabric have hollow spaces in them that allow for a large amount of airflow. This means the moisture is not going to stay trapped, so you aren't going to be left with a damp towel for a long time.

Durability for Frequent Washing

A very interesting thing about hemp fabric: it is not like other luxury materials. Many luxury fabrics require you to handle them with delicate care. Hemp is the exact opposite. It is one of the only luxury fabrics that will not punish you if you wash it on high heat to properly clean it.

It is also highly durable because of its tensile strength. 

Hemp has the highest tensile strength of any natural textile. This is because the hemp fibres are long and sturdy, so they will not fatigue and wear out the way cotton or silk fibres do. 

A silk sheet for example might develop a tear after 20 washes, which makes it look like there’s a spiderweb. However, hemp can maintain its structure for hundreds or even thousands of wash cycles.

It is also important to mention that because hemp fibres are so strong, pilling (fabric thinning and fuzzing) is not an issue. That means you will have a smooth, consistent surface that stays dense and doesn't become see-through, even after decades of use.

Naturally Antimicrobial Properties

Hemp contains natural plant compounds like CBD and phenols. In nature, these compounds protect the growing hemp plant from pathogens and fungi that might harm it. 

When the hemp is woven into something like a bath towel, those same compounds remain in the fabric to protect your towel from harmful bacteria that can damage your skin. 

It is also because of these natural compounds that hemp doesn't develop the gross, musty smell that other fabrics get if they stay damp for too long.

Since hemp is so porous (as I mentioned before), there is a high level of oxygen flow. This constant airflow makes it very hard for bacteria to multiply.

Gets Softer With Each Wash

Hemp fibres are naturally held together by a plant compound called lignin. Every time you wash it, this lignin breaks down slightly, making the fabric softer and more comfortable with every single cycle.

Summary: Why Hemp is Great for Household Fabrics

Hemp is an incredible choice for household linens for a few key reasons:

• Super Absorbent and Fast-Drying: The porous fibres act like tiny straws, soaking up water quickly while also letting enough air through to dry fast.
• Naturally Clean and Fresh: It naturally fights off bacteria, which stops your towels and sheets from getting that gross, musty smell.
• Built to Last: It is incredibly strong, meaning it can handle high-heat washing and years of heavy use without tearing, pilling, or wearing thin.
• Gets Softer Over Time: Thanks to natural plant compounds (like lignin) breaking down, the fabric actually breaks in and gets softer and more comfortable with every single wash.

Hemp Fabric For Bath Products: Why it’s Perfect

You’ve now seen me some of the benefits of hemp fabric

When it comes to clinginess, especially when it comes to moisture, you want to make sure that your bath time is nothing but hygienic. This is what a towel that contains hemp can do for you.

Superior Moisture Absorption

Hems Hollow structure does something that many fabrics cannot do. It actually absorbs your skin. 

Well, many people don’t know is that whenever a fabric is being used to dry your skin after you’ve taken a shower, the towel is actually just pushing the water around your skin. It isn’t actually absorbing it until after some time.

The hemp towel will instantly absorb it because of the fact that it contains hydrophilic properties, in other words it highly attracts water. This means you become dry much quicker. 

It’s also great because you won’t get that damp towel because of the fact that it’s hollow structure can absorb an insane amount of moisture before it actually starts to feel damp.

Natural Odour Resistance

No one likes a smelly towel. It makes someone feel insecure and also it’s a danger because sometimes you get used to the smell and you don’t even realize your towel smells. Why that is important is because that smell can spread to your body and now you smell like your towel.

However, because of him ability to produce a high airflow, and also stop the growth of bacteria, you don’t have to worry about a musty towel. Don’t get me wrong like every other fabric you’re always going to have to wash it as you should, but the idea of having a smelly towel is very uncommon when you’re using a towel that contains hemp Tuesday

Hypoallergenic Properties

This is important for those with sensitive skin. Many sensitive skin problems are caused by how you clean yourself. Using a towel that contains hemp means you won’t have to worry about your towel giving you issues 

Eco-Friendly Bathroom Choice

Below you will find how hemp is great for the environment, further adding to the benefits of hemp fabric.

1. Water Usage Comparison: Hemp doesn’t need much water to grow which means the use of artificial rain which is needed for many fabrics is not needed, reducing pollution.
2. Pesticide Requirements: Similar to water, hemp doesn’t need pesticides to thrive and achieve it’s performance
3. Soil Regeneration Benefits: because of how deep the roots go, the roots deep in the soil will break down when the plant is extracted, meaning nutrients like nitrogen go to the earth
4. Faster Growth Cycle: where fabrics like cotton, Rayon and bamboo take 6 months to almost 20 years to harvest, hemp only takes 90-120 days

Why Don’t We Use Hemp Instead Of Cotton?

From everything we’ve mentioned about the benefits of hemp fabric, it seems like the clear choice over cotton. So, why don't we use it more?

Cotton Infrastructure Was Already Established

Because cotton was already used much longer than hemp was, it was very hard to switch. 

Why Cotton is Currently Used More Than Hemp

• A 100-Year Head Start: Cotton has been mass-produced for over a century, meaning the global farming and factory systems are already built specifically for it.
• Specialized Machinery: Modern textile mills have equipment designed exclusively for cotton. It is difficult and expensive to use this same machinery to spin tough hemp fibers.
• Cheaper to Produce: Because the global supply chain for cotton is already fully established, it is currently much cheaper to produce than hemp.

The Blend of Hemp and Cotton

The best part is that you don’t have to choose between cotton and hemp. You can actually blend natural cotton with hemp. Weaving these two together creates a hybrid fabric that solves the weaknesses of both materials.

• Structural Support: The tough hemp fibers give this blended fabric a very strong, durable structure.
• Immediate Comfort: While pure hemp takes a while to break in and soften, cotton is soft right away. By blending them, you get to experience that immediate softness from the very first use.

The Demand for Hemp is Growing

Since hemp is growing in popularity, we are seeing a lot of new innovation in how it is produced.

• New Technology: New techniques, like enzymatic customization, are making it much easier to spin tough hemp fibers using existing cotton equipment.
• Sustainable Sourcing: Farmers are starting to transition to growing hemp because of its amazing soil-regeneration benefits. Because of this, making high-quality hemp products is becoming more accessible to more people every day.

Summary: Why Don’t We Use Hemp Instead Of Cotton?

• Why Cotton Is Used More: Cotton had a 100-year head start, meaning global factories and machines were built specifically for it, making it cheaper and easier to mass-produce than hemp.
• The Best Of Both Worlds: You don't have to choose just one. Blending hemp and cotton creates a hybrid fabric that gives you the strong, durable structure of hemp with the immediate comfort and softness of cotton.
• A Growing Trend: Because people want more eco-friendly options, new technology is making it easier to spin hemp, and more farmers are growing it to help heal their soil.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are The Disadvantages Of Hemp Fabric? 

Hemp is one of the most sustainable fabrics available, but here are a few things people need to be aware of:

• It Can Feel Stiff Initially: Because it is a strong natural fiber, pure hemp fabric can feel stiff when you first get it. Think of it like a brand-new pair of denim jeans; you have to wear and wash it a few times before it gets perfectly comfortable. However, this is easily solved if you blend it with another natural fabric like cotton.
• It Is Less Widely Available: This is simply because hemp was not a high-demand product in the past. However, with hemp now becoming a fabric that many people want, this will quickly change.

How To Take Care Of Hemp-Cotton Fabrics 

The best part about owning a hemp-cotton blend is that it is not high maintenance. You don’t need to stress over tiny details to make sure it is well taken care of.

How To Wash It: 

Unlike silk, which often demands careful handwashing, hemp-cotton blends are completely machine-friendly.

• Temperature: Use cold or lukewarm water (30°C to 40°C). Even though pure hemp can handle high heat, using lukewarm water preserves the cotton fibers in the blend and prevents the fabric from shrinking.
• Detergent: Choose a mild, eco-friendly detergent. It is very important that you avoid bleach. Bleach is dangerous for natural fibers and will literally break down the structure of the hemp.
• No Chemical Softeners: Hemp is naturally antimicrobial and breathable. If you use a liquid chemical softener, it leaves a waxy coating that clogs the fibers. This reduces the fabric's ability to wick away moisture, which actually makes it easier for bacteria to grow.

How To Make Your Hemp-Cotton Fabric Last More Than 20 Years 

Yes, it is entirely possible to make your fabric last for over two decades. You just need to do these two things:

• Air Dry When Possible: Air drying is always the best choice for natural fabrics because it prevents friction from tossing in a machine. If you do need to use a dryer, use a low-heat tumble setting and take the fabric out while it is still slightly damp. This prevents the fibers from drying out and becoming brittle.
• Rotate Your Fabrics: It is always important to rotate between different sets of fabrics (like towels or sheets). Giving them a "rest" between uses means they aren't constantly being worn down, which helps them last much longer.