Hemp fabric; a sustainable option for the fashion world
What is hemp?
Ancient civilizations have used hemp since 8000 B.C. Throughout history, hemp has been used in food, medicine, textiles, and paper. In addition to being an extremely useful plant for man, hemp is a plant that grows in a way that is very sustainable for the environment.
According to a report, each ton of hemp produced generates 1.63 tons of CO2.
By producing energy and paper from hemp instead of trees, it helps prevent deforestation. Industrial hemp has been scientifically proven to absorb more CO2 per hectare than any forest or commercial crop, making it the ideal carbon sink. Furthermore, the carbon dioxide is permanently bonded within the fiber that is used for everything from textiles to paper and building materials.
Hemp is also a true superfood. It is very nutritious and can help reduce the risk of heart disease. The intake of hemp oil can lower cholesterol levels, reduce your risk of high blood pressure, and is especially good for the skin. The love story between men, hemp, and the planet isn't about to come to an end. Throughout this article, you will learn everything you need to know about hemp fabric made of industrial hemp, not to be confused with marijuana.
Hemp fabric: How is it made?
Hemp crops or industrial hemp is a plant of the family Cannabaceae cultivated for their bast fiber or its edible seeds.Cannabis plants are often confused with hemp, which serves as the source of marijuana and hashish. Even if both come from the genus cannabis, industrial hemp is identified as having 0.3% THC or less.
Industrial hemp is a plant that is used to make hemp fabric. Hemp fabric is made from the long strands of fiber that make up the stalk of the plant. These fibers are separated from the bark through a process called “retting”. These fibers are then spun together to produce a continuous thread that can be woven into a fabric.
How Sustainable is Hemp Fabric?
Hemp is exceptionally positive for the environment. It requires 4 times less water than cotton to grow and doesn’t need any pesticides or herbicides as it is naturally resistant to weeds and pests. One hectare of hemp will produce twice more textiles than cotton. A wide range of biodegradable products can also be produced from hemp like textiles, paper, packaging, bioplastics, etc. By returning nutrients to the soil and sequestering carbon dioxide, hemp crops benefit the environment. Unlike cotton, which depletes the soil of nutrients, hemp can be grown consecutively for over twenty years without the soil being affected. This super plant also saves Jobs! Hemp is harvested and processed by hand, keeping people employed. The hemp fabric is one of the most durable. It's been said that a hemp t-shirt will last two or three times longer than a cotton t-shirt.
Why hemp clothing is good for you?
Before the first wash, hemp clothes can feel a bit itchy, but the more you wear them and wash them, the more they become soft and comfortable. Hemp clothes also have the property to keep colors better than any other textile. The fabric resists bacteria growth and breathes easily, preventing odors. In the winter, it keeps you warm, while in the summer, it keeps you cool. Hemp fabric can also provide you with nearly complete UV protection, making it one of the most sustainable fabrics on the planet.
Hemp vs. Linen: Which is best?
The texture of hemp and linen are really similar. Because hemp fiber is the longest in the world, it is stronger and more durable. Linen fibers are shorter, which is why they wrinkle so much and become more fragile with time. Even if both fabrics look environmentally friendly, linen is a derived product from flax. The growth of this flax plant depletes soil over time and the use of herbicides is required to keep the weeds away. Lastly, hemp is a great pollen source that helps sustain the bee population, in comparison to flax crops, which have a negative effect on biodiversity. When the time comes to shop for new clothes, you might want to consider hemp pants and dresses to replace linen in your wardrobe.
Can I wear hemp clothing with style?
When I thought about hemp clothing, I envisioned this beige square shirt paired with pants of the same color and stiffness ... nothing comfortable, flattering, or glamourous. Thankfully, times have changed.
This plant's popularity has allowed the development of a whole new range of materials. From woven to knitted, hemp now comes in different types of fabrics and can be worn all year long. Hemp clothes can also be made with blended materials. Depending on the season or purpose, hemp is mixed with other yarns, like organic cotton, Tencel®, recycled polyester, bamboo, and more. Those blends offer the consumer the best of both yarns. Canvas, poplin, twill, jersey, fleece can be made with hemp fabrics giving designers many possibilities for their collections.
Whatever the style you are looking for, it is now possible to find hemp in today's fashion from hemp tops, to hemp tunics, dresses, pants, and shorts.
Why choose hemp fabric?
Taking care of the soil, capturing carbon dioxide, and providing pollen for bees worldwide, hemp is definitely one of the most sustainable plants on the planet. Growing hemp helps reduce global warming since one acre of hemp can remove 10 tons of carbon from the atmosphere. This represents more than the average home emissions in a year. As well as benefiting the planet, hempcrete could be used in carbon-intensive industries such as construction, where it could be used to substitute concrete as a carbon-negative material. Every part of the hemp plant can be used, hence, there’s no waste. All parts of the plant like the seeds, leaves, roots, stalks, can be made into something useful, such as oil, snacks, paper, etc. most importantly fabric. Because the most effective way to promote sustainability now is to reuse, recycle, and reduce our waste. Without a doubt, hemp is the ultimate resource to aid us in this journey.