Hemp is nothing new. In fact, the US has had a steady history of using hemp in flags, sails for ships, the paper used to draft the US Constitution, the first pair of Levi’s jeans, and the majority of clothing in the early 1900s was made from hemp. It was pushed out of production by those who wanted the timber and cotton industries to remain strong.
In addition, the invention of the cotton gin made cotton easier to harvest and manufacture into clothing. While cotton is biodegradable, hemp remains the better option for clothing (and for creating other goods) for fashion and for Earth.
Before we take a look at the numerous reasons hemp is more sustainable than cotton, let’s take a look at how hemp benefits people’s wardrobes and wallets.
Hemp Will Make Your Wardrobe, Body And Mind Happy
Hemp is naturally UV-resistant. It also helps the human body to regulate itself in warm and cool temperatures. In the summer, it both protects the skin from the sun and helps to keep the body cool. It is also naturally antimicrobial, which means it resists water rot, prevents odor-causing bacteria, and stays naturally cleaner and fresher.
This means that people don’t have to launder hemp clothing as often because it doesn’t get as dirty as other clothing, and it doesn’t suffer from a buildup of bacteria like synthetic fibers. It is three times stronger than cotton, which is why it was extensively used for sails and ropes. This means people can enjoy their hemp clothing far longer than their cotton clothing.
Think of the impact on your wardrobe, life, comfort, and savings with the use of hemp clothing. Summer trips and traveling wouldn’t be an issue because you’d be protected from the sun, would stay nice and cool, and could easily launder clothing.
Now, let’s take a look at why it’s better for the environment.
Hemp Is Nothing Short Of Amazing
We’ll start off with the most amazing thing about hemp plants. Through phytoremediation, hemp plants not only regenerate the soil but can actually remove toxins, including heavy metals. Hemp plants were used to help clean up radiation in the water and soil in Chernobyl.
Alongside this wonder, hemp plants are an excellent choice for crop rotation as 60 to 70 percent of nutrients can return back to the ground when the plants are harvested and naturally retted for manufacturing. In addition, one ton of hemp can trap 1.63 tons of carbon by the time it’s harvested. Think of how this would benefit our world if everyone bought hemp clothing.
Hemp plants are naturally drought-resistant. They can grow nearly anywhere and in a variety of soils and climates. Hemp plants are sturdy and robust. They are more densely packed than cotton, require far less water and land, and don’t suffer from the same issues cotton does.
Cotton requires four times the amount of water to grow than a hemp plant, but the hemp plant can produce far more clothing than cotton as well. In addition, hemp can grow in 100 days as opposed to the six months that is needed with cotton.
Hemp doesn’t need the use of pesticides and other chemicals as it naturally is resistant to mold, insects, and other issues that often plague cotton growth. Not only does this mean it’s naturally better for the environment, but you can also feel safer knowing that you are not introducing dangerous chemicals to your body by wearing clothes. The entire hemp plant is used in its manufacturing, which means there is zero waste associated with its crops.
When you consider all that hemp has to offer the environment and your wardrobe, you can feel better about your purchasing choices.
Revolutionize Your Sustainable Fabric With Organic Apparel
Organic Apparel is ready to help you work with industrial hemp. We want to help businesses with environmentally friendly practices.
To find out more, please reach out to us today. Organic Apparel will help pair you with the appropriate sustainable textiles.
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