care guide - hemp

caring for hemp

this fabric is quite easy to take care of - just make sure you wash it gently. machine wash cool with like colors. you can tumble dry this fabric but only on low heat. do not use bleach or other intense cleaners or products with enzymes - use earth-friendly and gentle detergents instead. also, make sure you protect your garment against zippers, velcro or towels as this can cause pilling. also, make sure to not dry your hemp pieces in direct sunlight - this can cause the colors to fade.

hemp fibers are a lot stronger and more durable than most fibers - making them last a lot longer. the strong hemp fiber may feel stiff at first but it will turn softer with the years and washing - it will not lose it's shape though :) 

what is hemp?

hemp can seem a like a stiff and scratchy alternative to linen - but it turns buttery soft when wearing it. hemp fibers are absorbent and provide natural insulation. so, it keeps you warm when it's cold and cool when it's hot. it is also effective in protecting your skin from UV damage.

why love hemp?

apart from being environmentally friendly (it is even biodegradable!) hemp is easy to take care of, uses little water in production, is resistant to UV light, mould and mildew, is naturally moisture wicking, odour resistant and antibacterial. so many benefits!

hemp production

as a crop, hemp grows well in mild climates with high humidity and uses very little water and does not need any pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers. after the plants are harvested with a special machine, these plants are allowed to rett in the field for 4-6 weeks, which naturally facilitates pectin removal. after, the stalks are made into bales like hay. next a hammermill is used to separate the fibrous outer section of the plant from its woody core. the separated fibers are then made into strands and they are cleaned to remove dirt. after this the fibers can either be turned into a pulp to produce paper products, matting to make fleeces or steam to turn the raw hemp into a weavable fiber. in general, very little or no chemicals are used in this process. hemp is also a plant that grows in many different areas of the world.

overall, hemp is highly renewable, replenishes the soil and absorbs carbon dioxide.