Properties of Hemp Fabric

1. Introduction  

In recent years, hemp textiles have gained significant popularity as a sustainable and long-lasting substitute for traditional textiles. Hemp’s uses in fashion and textiles have emerged as the demand for sustainable products grows. Hemp fabric is also becoming more known for its superior durability, airiness, and general adaptability, which has led to it becoming a very attractive alternative for eco-conscious buyers. 

The properties of hemp fabric, including its natural durability and airiness, distinguish it from other fabrics such as cotton, linen, and synthetics. What’s more, hemp is a renewable resource that has been used in fabrics for millennia. The following article explores what makes hemp fabric stand out, including its durability, breathability and other traits that make it a great material in the textile industry. 

2. What Makes Hemp Fabric Unique?  

Hemp is one of the earliest crops, having been used for textiles as far back as antiquity. The fiber is a tough, durable, and unusually soft yarn from the hemp plant. This strength and comfort makes hemp cloth one of the most popular fabrics on the market today. 

History of Hemp Use in Fabrics & Production 

Hemp has been used as a fabric for millennia. The use of hemp fibres appears to have first appeared in China around 8000 BCE. In the ancient world, hemp fabric was used to make garments, ropes, sails and other goods. Hemp has been a staple in every culture, and it has always been highly prized for its durability. 

In the 16th and 17th centuries, too, hemp proved an important material for European sailors who used hemp to create sails and ropes for their ships. In the evolving textile world, hemp grew into a key fiber in many sectors until the early 20th century, when synthetics and cotton spread. We’re seeing hemp come back from the dead because of its eco-friendly nature. 

Also Read : How Hemp Fabric is Made

General Properties of Hemp Fibers vs Other Fibers. 

Hemp fibres are long, thick, and naturally resistant to mildew and UV light. Compared to other natural fibers such as cotton or linen, hemp offers several distinctive advantages. 

• Strongness: Hemp fibers are tensile; that is, they will not tear or break under strain. It’s why hemp was used as a fiber in ropes, sails and heavy-duty fabrics. 

• Resistant to Wear: Hemp is one of the strongest fibers on Earth that will resist extensive damage. This makes hemp a perfect material for high wear items like uniforms and upholstery. 

• Breathability: Hemp fabric is highly breathable so air can easily flow in and out through the fibers. This feature keeps the body cool and dry, especially when the weather is warm or humid. As opposed to cotton, hemp has a much wider weave that enables even greater air flow. 

• Spill Resistant: Hemp is incredibly absorbent and is ideal for moisture wicking. It repels moisture from the skin, particularly in garments or fabrics meant for warm climates. 

• Sustainability: Hemp is a renewable resource that grows quickly without pesticides or fertilisers. Hemp also makes soil better as it grows, which makes it a cleaner crop than other crops such as cotton, which have to be heavily irrigated and sprayed with pesticides. 

3. Strength and Durability  

Perhaps the most striking feature of hemp fabric is its durability. Hemp fibres are one of the strongest natural fibers available, which is why hemp has been used in ropes and sails for hundreds of years. Hemp fabric is naturally hard, resilient, and resistant to high wear and tear – perfect for high-use items. 

Inherent Strength of Hemp Fibers  

Hemp fibres are incredibly strong at tensile strength, which is the maximum amount of force a material can take while being pulled or stretched before breaking. Hemp fibres have much higher tensile strength than cotton, linen or even synthetic fibers. Because hemp fabric has such high tensile strength, it does not unravel and is resistant to daily use; it is also used in construction products such as workwear, upholstery, and industrial fabrics. 

Its durability also means that hemp cloth does not stretch or sag with wear, while other textiles, such as cotton, will break apart from use. Its hardness makes hemp fabric a reliable choice for clothing and household fabrics. 

Comparison to Other Fabrics  

• Hemp vs. Cotton: Cotton is supple and comfortable but not as strong as hemp. Cotton fibers are more likely to snap or fail over repeated washing and use. Hemp, however, is less easily damaged over time. In addition, hemp is more resistant to abrasion, making it ideal for heavy duty work wear and upholstery. 

• Hemp vs Linen: Linen is a natural fiber that is quite strong (just like hemp), but hemp is generally thicker and resistant to mildew. Linen fibres are softer and more fine, thus more susceptible to wear and tear. Hemp’s greater density and durability make it superior for products that last longer. 

• Hemp vs.  Synthetic Fabrics: Synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon tend to be tougher than cotton or linen but fall short of hemp fibers. Synthetic fibres might be resistant to deterioration, but they are environmentally problematic, and not biodegradable or free of microplastics. Biodegradable and more sustainable, hemp cloth outperforms synthetic fabrics both in sustainability and durability. 

Why Hemp Fabric Remains Durable and Resistant to Discoloration After Wear and Tear? 

Hemp fibres are incredibly resistant to wear and tear from excessive handling, washing and other physical stressors. It’s a perfect fabric for sporty products that need a lot of tensile strength, including: 

• Work Wear: Manual-work clothes must be highly resistant to dirt and moisture. Because hemp is naturally tough, it’s often used for heavy duty work wear like jeans, jackets, overalls, and aprons. 

• Fabric: Because hemp is very durable, it is perfect for upholstery furniture. Its fabric is extremely resistant to wear and tear, so couches, chairs, and cushions will not break or lose their texture with time. 

• Outdoor Clothing: Because hemp repels mildew and UV rays, it’s often used in outdoor gear such as tents, sails, and backpacks that need to be exposed to the elements. 

Because hemp is very wear-resistant, it is a great option for users who are looking for durable and high-performance textiles for their high-utilization products. 

Proven Uses for Heavy-Duty Hemp Fabric. 

Since hemp fabric is strong and durable, it finds numerous applications across a wide range of industries and applications, including: 

• Clothing: Hemp is an ideal material for producing heavy-duty, long-lasting garments such as jackets, trousers, shirts and bags. Because of its durability and wear resistance, these clothes are guaranteed to last far longer than standard cotton or polyester fabrics. 

• Upholstery: Due to its robustness, the fabric is a popular choice for tough, non-toxic upholstery. Hemp fabrics are widely utilised in sofas, armchairs and cushions, and it provides durability and sustainability for home decor. 

• Industrial Textiles: Due to its durability and environmental stability, hemp is ideal for industrial textile applications such as rope, sails and tent and tarpaulin. Because of its resistance to wear and tear, these garments can work well in the outdoors or under pressure. 

• Socks: Hemp is employed in footwear due to its resistance, specifically in the soles and uppers of work or outdoor shoes. Hemp’s durability makes the shoes durable and impervious to everyday motion.

4. Hemp Fabric Breathability and Moisture Wicking Properties 

Hemp fabric, largely recognized for sustainability and resilience, also has an impressive combination of features that make it one of the most practical and comfortable fabrics available. In terms of properties, breathability and moisture-wicking properties are the main features that have helped make it very popular in apparels and upholstery fabrics. In this article, we’ll learn more about how hemp fabric can help to circulate the air, keep you cool, and keep your skin dry, which is perfect for summer wear. We will also compare its airiness with other natural materials such as cotton and linen, and talk about its benefits in comfort, performance and general health. 

How Hemp Fabric Lets Air Move and Controls Temperature. 

The first and foremost attribute of hemp fabrics is that it is naturally ventilated, facilitating body heat retention under different weather conditions. Breathability means that the fabric lets air pass through its layers, avoiding the accumulation of heat and moisture. Hemp fibres are hollow tubular materials, so air flows freely. This also creates good ventilation, keeping the body cool by letting excess heat escape when it’s too hot and keeping it from feeling too cold when it’s too cold. 

Unlike synthetics, which can retain heat and moisture, hemp fabric keeps the body cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Which makes hemp the perfect fabric for seasonal changes as well as outdoor pursuits. While hemp clothes are cool in the summer, sweat dries out so that you do not overheat. In colder climates, the permeability of hemp keeps the body’s natural heat locked in, keeping it warm. 

This naturally dry nature is also helpful for people who have dry skin or have eczema, which leads to moisture accumulation and discomfort. By wicking moisture away from the skin, hemp maintains a dry atmosphere, preventing rashes and discomfort. 

Moisture-Wicking Ability of Hemp Fabric  

Apart from breathability, hemp cloth is highly moisture-wicking, adding to its ease and utility. Moisture-wicking is when the fabric wicks moisture (sweat, for example) away from the skin and into the fabric where it evaporates more easily. This is particularly true of active wear, outdoorswear and clothes that are aimed at warmer temperatures. 

This is the way hemp fabric wicks away moisture thanks to its peculiar structure. Its fibers naturally absorb and disperse moisture quickly, so the skin stays dry even after a strenuous workout. It works in a similar way as the other natural fibers such as cotton and wool but it also has some advantages when it comes to wicking moisture. 

Cotton, for example, absorbs moisture but takes longer to dry, and is cumbersome and uncomfortable when damp. Hemp, however, does repel the moisture from the skin and dries quickly, leaving you feeling dry. It’s the perfect material for clothing in hot climates or exercise, like sportswear, yoga pants or hiking shirts. 

Apart from clothing, hemp can wick moisture into home textiles as well. Hemp bedding, towels and other household textiles work in much the same way, trapping moisture and keeping the body dry and comfortable, especially in wet or hot weather. 

In Comparison With Other Permeable Fabrics (e.g., Cotton, Linen) 

When hemp fabric is compared with other commonly utilized breathable textiles such as cotton and linen, it has several distinct benefits. For those looking for comfort, functionality and environmental sustainability, hemp is a great choice. 

Hemp vs. Cotton  

Cotton is renowned for its breathability, and although similar in some ways to hemp, it tends to be thinner and less wicking. Because cotton is highly breathable, air circulates and cools the body. But cotton absorbs moisture easily and is damp and weighty when worn in moist or hot environments. Hemp, however, dries faster and doesn’t retain moisture like cotton, which helps keep the wearer dry. 

Furthermore, cotton shrinks more easily during washing and is more prone to wear and tear. Hemp is more resilient and more resistant to shrinkage, so it doesn’t unravel as easily and for a much longer time. Hemp fabrics also have the advantage of being open weave, and hence allow more air to move around than cotton fabrics, which are often denser in texture. 

Hemp vs. Linen  

Another naturally breathable fibre is linen, made from the flax plant. The linen material is slender and permeable, making it the go-to fabric for summer garments and bedding. But linen tends to be a bit more wrinkle-prone and maybe not as moisture-wicking as hemp. Hemp fabric has a stronger construction that makes it more durable and smoother to use. 

Linen, like hemp, is stiff at first, but stretches with time. But hemp is naturally soft, and gets softter with use and washing, and hemp doesn’t wrinkle nearly as much as linen. In addition, hemp is better tolerant of mildew and bacteria, which can come in handy in moist conditions. 

Hemp and linen are essentially identical in terms of breathability, but hemp’s moisture-wicking properties allow it to get an upper hand, especially for activewear or sportswear. Linen can absorb moisture, but may not retain sweat as well as hemp, so it can be more comfortable. 

Breathability in Clothing and Textiles for Home Uses 

Breathability is beneficial in many ways but primarily applies to clothes and fabrics used in the home, where warmth and humidity control are priorities. In clothing, breathability is essential to maintaining body temperature, avoiding soreness caused by excessive sweating, and keeping your body healthy. 

• Temperature Control: Breathable fabrics regulate body temperature by allowing air to move through them, keeping the skin cool during hot months and warm during cold seasons. 

• Moisture Management: Perspiration-friendly fabrics also absorb moisture away from the skin to help avoid overheating or becoming too damp to cause skin irritation and discomfort. 

• Greater Comfort: When it comes to clothing, breathable fabrics are used to keep the wearer comfortable during the day while they are doing exercise, playing sports, or just enjoying their day. 

• Wellness: Moisture-wicking fabrics, particularly ones that trap the moisture away from your skin, can help avoid fungal infections, rashes or irritation. This is particularly true for individuals with sensitive skin, athletes or people in moist environments. 

Breathability has several benefits for home textiles: 

• Bedding and Towels: Airy moisture-wicking materials, such as hemp, can improve the quality of your sleep, keeping your body dry and insulated. Hemp bedding also reduces sweat and moisture accumulation, which results in a better night’s rest. 
• Curtains and Upholstery: Hemp also breaths well, which can help to keep furniture in the house from producing musty smells and mildew that accumulate in unventilated spaces. 

5. Softness and Comfort  

Although hemp cloth is generally recognised for its hardness and toughness, it is also more and more widely acknowledged for its suppleness and comfort when properly processed and treated. While hemp fabric is rough and stiff in its natural form, several techniques are available to smooth it and make it feel better. 

Hemp Fabric Texture Before and After Processing 

Hemp fabric, before it’s processed, is rougher than fabrics made from cotton and linen. The raw fibres of the hemp plant are hard and squishy, which makes the cloth brittle. But when hemp has been distilled through enzyme washing and softening treatments, it’s far more absorbent and breathable. 

Hemp feels more like canvas or burlap in its untreated state and thus unsuitable for close skin-to-skin contact. Yet the fibers, once degraded and sanitised, soften and become smoother, producing a fabric that is not only more durable but also more supple. 

Methods to Soften Hemp Fabric  

We have various techniques to soften hemp fabric, making it comfortable to wear and use. Some of these methods include:  

• Enzyme washing: This process washes the hemp fabric using specialized enzymes that breakdown natural fibers, making it less rough and more soft. 
• The Softeners: You can add a variety of softeners to hemp, whether silicones or organic compounds, to soften the fabric and make it feel more comfortable on your skin. 
• Blending With Other Fibers: Hemp fabric can be blended with other fibers, like cotton, silk, or bamboo to make it soft, yet still durable and eco-friendly. 

The more hemp is processed, the softer the hemp fabric becomes, so that it’s more similar to other natural fibers like linen or cotton and provides comfort to the wearer without detracting from the fabric’s inherent strength. 

What Makes Hemp So Comfortable on Your Body? 

Hemp material feels better as you wash it over and over. When the fibers become loosened and squishy over time, the cloth stretches in response to the wearer’s body. This “break-in” process enables hemp clothing to fit the wearer’s body more closely for a tailored fit. 

That makes hemp an excellent material for wear-and-wear items like jeans, shirts, and jackets. The fabric eventually becomes soft, pliable, and more comfortable, but remains robust and robust. 

Versatility in Different Uses  

Hemp is a material that softens and wears better, making it useful for a multitude of applications. Beyond clothing, hemp is used for bedding, upholstery, and house textiles. Hemp sheets, for instance, utilize the fabric’s wicking capabilities and feel, creating a comfortable, healthy sleeping surface. The same is true for hemp upholstery fabric, which sags over time, bringing comfort and longevity to furniture. 

6. Antimicrobial and Antibacterial Properties  

Beyond its breathability, moisture wicking and softness, hemp cloth is naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial, adding more value to the product. These attributes prevent bacteria, fungi, and other microbes from colonizing the fabric and keep it fresh and clean for longer. 

Unconditional Resistance to Bacteria and Fungi 

Hemp’s ability to be insensitive to bacteria and fungi stems from the fact that hemp is naturally resistant to them. Hemp is unique because unlike other fibres, its chemical structure stops microbes from growing. It is thus an ideal fabric for clothes, bedding, and other textiles that are frequently touched to the skin. 

Hemp textiles are not only antibacterial but also mold and mildew-resistant. This makes it especially useful in wet environments or outdoor clothing where mildew is prone to growing on materials that come into contact with moisture and air. 

Support in Suppressing Odors and Facilitating Hygiene. 

Hemp is also antimicrobial so it prevents odor formation, especially when applied to activewear and outdoor wear. Since hemp fabrics are resistant to bacterial attack, it makes the skin hygienic and fresh, reducing frequent washing. It makes hemp clothing sustainable by increasing the wearer’s life and saving water. 

In addition, hemp cloth’s resistance to odour and bacteria makes it ideal for use in medical clothing or biodegradable personal care products. The use of hemp for bandages, medical wraps, and eco-sanitary products is gaining ground.

7. UV Protection in Hemp Fabric  

Not only does hemp fabric appeal due to its durability and flexibility, it also provides natural UV protection. Hemp is already considered to be a durable and renewable material, but being able to shield you from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays makes this natural fabric even more valuable. This section features how hemp fabric naturally resists UV rays, how hemp fabric can be used in sun-protective clothing and accessories, and why it is a sustainable substitute for synthetic UV-blocking materials. 

Hemp Fabric’s Organic Resistance to UV Rays. 

The best thing about hemp fabric is that it blocks harmful UV rays from the sun. UV radiations, both UVA and UVB, damage the skin, cause premature ageing and contribute to the risk of skin cancer. While the majority of synthetic fabrics have a chemical treatment to resist these rays, hemp cloth naturally does this because of its shape. 

Hemp fibers are dense and very closely knitted, and thus they naturally resist UV rays. It is because hemp is high in lignin – the fatty component of the plant cell walls – that it resists sunlight. Lignin is a barrier that absorbs and prevents the sun’s UV radiation from penetrating your skin, much like sunscreen does on the surface of your skin. 

Moreover, hemp cloth doesn’t fade when exposed to the sun like other fibres. While the fibers of cotton and linen can lose strength and insulation over time in sunlight, the fibers of hemp are sturdy and durable. This makes hemp an ideal material for durable UV protection when applying to outdoor clothing and accessories. 

Hemp fabric is naturally UV-protected in terms of its UPF value. UPF is a measure of how well a fabric reflects UV rays. For example, a fabric with an UPF rating of 50 will absorb 98% of the UV light. Hemp cloth usually has an UPF value between 30 and 50, so it’s a great choice for protecting yourself from the sun. 

How to Use Hemp Fabric for Sun-Altered Clothing and Apparels? 

Because of the natural UV-blocking properties, hemp fabric makes a great choice for sunwear and accessories. Indeed, hemp is used in clothing that’s meant to ward off sunburn and UV rays while still staying breathable and comfortable. Hemp clothes are an eco-friendly alternative to conventional UV-resistant clothing made of artificial fibers. 

• Sun-protective Clothes: Hemp clothes are perfect for making long-sleeved shirts, hats, pants and jackets that keep the skin protected from the sun. Instead of chemical UV-blocking materials, hemp offers a naturally breathable, lightweight and moisture-wicking alternative. Because of the robustness and strength of hemp, sun-protective apparel crafted from it is long-lasting even when washed and worn out. 

• Sun Hats & Caps: Hemp is commonly used for sun hats and caps that provides a convenient solution to protect the face, neck, and ears from UV rays. The thick weave of hemp fabric impedes UV radiation, and the moisture-wicking properties keep the wearer cool while outdoors during hiking, gardening or beach excursions. 

• Sun-Smart Apparel: Hemp fabric can also be used in sun-wearing apparel like scarves, shawls and bandanas. These portable but useful gadgets offer UV coverage under clothes or wrapped around the neck and head. 

• Sports Wear and Outdoor Clothing: Compared to synthetic UV-blocking fabric, hemp is an excellent material for sports wear and outdoors clothing. Athletic apparel in hemp fabric, such as activewear, yoga pants, and rain jackets, are not only UV-protective but also have breathability and moisture-wicking properties. That’s why hemp is a perfect fit for those who enjoy the outdoors — hiking, cycling, or just spending time in the sun. 

Consumers can reduce exposure to the sun’s rays by using hemp fabric in sun-protective clothing and accessories that promote sustainable fashion. Hemp offers an organic, sustainable alternative to the synthetics that make up so many UV-blocking clothing products. 

Hemp as a Sustainable Alternative to Synthetic UV- Blocking Fabrics. 

The vast majority of synthetic fabrics (like nylon or polyester) need to be chemically treated to retain their sunblocking effects. These chemicals are frequently environmentally toxic, and can enter water systems during production or after the fabric is cleaned. Weave cloth, by contrast, offers a more sustainable alternative, since it is sourced from a renewable resource and requires very little chemical processing. 

The environmental impact of synthetic UV-blocking fabrics is substantial. To create synthetic fibres, synthetic fibres require petrochemicals, which are fossil fuels. Additionally, the production of these fabrics is extremely energy-consuming and causes huge amounts of waste and pollution. By contrast, hemp textiles are constructed from a plant that doesn’t require much water and pesticides to grow, which is both more sustainable and more ethical. 

Furthermore, hemp is biodegradable, meaning it will decompose naturally at the end of its lifespan, unlike synthetic textiles, which contribute to the ever-increasing landfill issue of textile waste. When shoppers choose hemp-based UV-blocking fabrics, they can enjoy the sun without polluting the environment. 

Hemp provides a durable and useful alternative to synthetic UV blocking fabrics when it comes to performance. Synthetic fibers could disintegrate in sunlight, but hemp’s natural resilience will keep it whole and working, giving you years of protection from the sun. This is why hemp fabric is ideal for use in outdoor clothing and clothing that must withstand both the elements and extended exposure to UV rays. 

8. Environmental Benefits of Hemp Fabric  

As well as UV resistance, hemp fabric has many environmental benefits that make it an eco-friendly fabric for sustainable clothing and other environmentally friendly products. Hemp fabric is a promising alternative to traditional textiles because of its low environmental footprint in production and biodegradability. 

Hemp in Sustainable Fashion and Environmentally Friendly Products — Why Not? 

Hemp is increasingly being identified as one of the most environmentally friendly fibres for textiles. As customers become more aware of how their purchase decisions affect the environment, hemp is rising in popularity as an eco-friendly substitute for synthetic and unsustainable fibres such as polyester, nylon and even cotton. The following are some of the most important environmental advantages of hemp fabric: 

• Eco-Friendly Crop Production: Hemp is an environmentally friendly crop, requiring minimal water, pesticides, and fertilisers. As a sustainable alternative to cotton, which needs enormous amounts of water and chemical fertilisers, hemp can be grown in almost every climate and requires minimal water – making it a more sustainable option. Hemp plants also restore soil nutrients naturally by returning nutrients to the soil making it useful for crop rotation. 

• Carbon Diversion: Hemp is an excellent carbon sink. The plant consumes a great deal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air during its lifetime, thus preventing climate change. As researchers have discovered, hemp absorbs carbon more efficiently than most other crops, making hemp farming a valuable instrument for reducing global warming. 

• Biodegradability: One of the primary environmental features of hemp cloth is its biodegradability. Hemp fabric will naturally decompose over time, unlike synthetic fibres, which may take centuries to decompose in landfills. This means that hemp textiles won’t contribute to the ever-increasing plastic and textile waste epidemic when they are no longer in use. 

• Low Chemical Consumption: Hemp needs very little chemical processing compared to other fabrics, such as cotton or artificial fibers. While cotton production commonly requires chemical pesticides and herbicides, hemp does not require them. Furthermore, hemp fabric typically is processed using fewer chemicals, which makes hemp a greener and cleaner option for textile production. 

Hemp Fabric’s Biodegradability and its Role in Minimizing Textile Waste – Hemp Fabric’s Benefits For The Environment. 

Fashion produces some of the most textile waste and pollution in the world. Modern fabrics, especially synthetic fibres such as polyester, are not biodegradable and may live in landfills for decades or more. This adds to the increasing environmental problem of textile waste, with millions of tons of clothes and fabric being lost every year. 

Hemp fabric, however, is a solution to this issue. Since hemp is a natural fibre, it is entirely biodegradable, meaning it will dissolve in the environment without forming harmful residues. It’s a key benefit in mitigating the ecological footprint of textile manufacturing, especially as the demand for sustainable fashion continues to grow. 

Once hemp fabric is worn out, it can be composted or recycled, which is much greener than artificial fabrics. Furthermore, hemp fabric’s fast-degrading quality will also avoid the kind of cumulative pollution associated with unbiodegradable fabrics. It is this biodegradability that contributes to hemp’s growing adoption among conscious consumers and designers in pursuit of a circular fashion economy.

Dhanya Nair

Dhanya Nair is a fabric Lover and a mom. She offers a unique perspective on the intricacies and history of fabric and specializes in bringing the unique narratives of textiles to life.