Hemp - The Environmental Super-Fibre
Hemp fabric or hemp textiles are made from cannabis sativa fiber or industrial hemp. The usage of hemp fiber or cannabis sativa fiber as materials for clothing is not something new. Hemp fiber has been used thousands of years and in fact materials made from hemp were discovered in tombs dating back to 8,000 BC. Hemp was used in varieties of applications in early civilizations in Asia, Middle East and China. Until the 1920's, 80% of clothing was made from hemp textiles. Hemp can be grown with little or no chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. Nothing is wasted in the production process: seeds are used to make oil and food supplements, while the stalks are used for fiber. Hemp also produces more fiber per acre than trees, and can be renewed two to three times per year making it extremely Eco friendly.
Advantages of Hemp Fabric
- Strong: Hemp's’ tensile strength is eight times that of cotton fibre which accounts for its historical use in sails and rope for the British and American Navies. It is an exceptionally durable and strong Eco friendly fabric
- Weather Resistant: UV and mold-resistant, hemp is excellent for outdoor wear. Like linen and cotton, hemp is a cool choice for summer. It breathes well. It is recommended for warm, humid climates as the fabric resists mildew and absorbs moisture
- Comfortable: Hemp fiber is actually more porous and breathable than cotton
- Versatile: Hemp has the look of classic linen and can have the feel (depending upon fabric blend) of your favorite flannel. Hemp materials will also soften with age and with each cleaning
- Easy on the Environment: Hemp creates one of the most Eco friendly fabrics in the world. Hemp requires no pesticides, crowds out weeds without herbicides, controls erosion of the topsoil, and produces oxygen. It is a renewable resource that can be cultivated in as little as 100 days
- Hypo-allergenic: Fabrics made from hemp are hypo-allergenic and non-irritating to the skin. Current tests indicate that hemp is able to kill staph and other bacteria that come in contact with its surface