Other Uses for Hemp Fabric
In this day and age, consumers are more conscious about the environment and their own choices, which is why sustainable products have become more and more visible. High-quality products that are durable and practical must also be ethical and environmentally-friendly; one should not be without the other.
That’s where hemp fabric comes in. It’s the most versatile natural fabric that has come out of the textile industry, achieving great finesse, flexibility, and longevity. It has always been an amazing fabric that can be used for a variety of applications, including clothing. It also helps that hemp is a plant that requires very little water and doesn’t require herbicides, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and transgenic seeds to cultivate.
It has been discovered that hemp has been used in clothing since 8,000 BC in China, but it then declined in popularity due to cannabis prohibition. Now that hemp has been having a resurgence in recent years, let’s take a look at what else hemp fabric is good for aside from just making hemp clothing.
5 Things That Are Good in Hemp
Looking into hemp fabrics used in applications other than hemp clothing may seem daunting, but it’s as easy as looking around you and spotting everyday items that are made of fabric that can be better when made with hemp.
Curtains
What are curtains but simply large pieces of cloth hung over your windows? Most curtains are made of cotton or linen, so there's no reason to not have hemp curtains over your windows whenever you either need some privacy or block out the light from outside.
The great thing about hemp curtains is that they don’t deform. They’re also naturally antimicrobial and they protect against UV rays, making them ideal as curtain material. Since it’s resistant to UV rays, they don’t discolor like most other fabrics used for curtains.
While most would think that they just come in boring beige, remember that hemp is not burlap. They’re soft and can be dyed in a variety of colors, from earthy tones to vibrant Mediterranean hues. You can have colorful curtains that are also natural and sustainable, making them a great way to spruce up your living space without having to feel guilty about it.
Bed Sheets and Pillowcases
Since hemp is a soft fabric that's breathable and feels surprisingly nice on the skin, you should try having hemp bed sheets and pillowcases to make your bedtimes a lot more comfortable. The great thing about hemp as bed fabrics is how better it is in regulating temperature. It can keep you warm in colder months and keep you cool in warmer months, making it the best of both worlds that you can enjoy year round.
Another property of hemp is its absorbent qualities, so it can wick away sweat you may expel throughout the night, especially if you live in a place with a hot and humid climate. And since hemp is antibacterial and hypoallergenic, you can be rest assured that you won’t be left with a bed and pillows that smell and make you itchy at night.
But it doesn’t end there just yet. People are now rediscovering how soft and supple hemp truly is, so they’re now able to better enjoy that with hemp bed sheets and pillowcases that will lull them to sleep without fail. Coupled with a comfortable memory foam mattress and pillows, you can be rest assured that you will look forward to your bedtimes from now on.
Tablecloths
While you may not think much of tablecloths, they do a lot to make a bare table look a lot more presentable. Whether it’s your dinner table or just a folding table outside that you want to spruce up, a tablecloth can do wonders in making it look a lot nicer and more sophisticated.
The great thing with a 100% hemp tablecloth is not only the earthy tones that can bring more warmth to your dining space, but also its absorbent qualities that can make accidental a lot less difficult to deal with. Also, since that’s where you eat, hemp’s antibacterial qualities make for a less worrisome dining experience, especially when dealing with cleanup.
The last thing you want on your dinner table is stains from spills, a hemp tablecloth is a no-brainer when it comes to protecting the wood from liquids that can damage the finish. Since hemp is soft and supple as well, it won’t leave scratches and blemishes on your table.
Aprons
As we’ve discussed all the great qualities of hemp fiber, why not take it to the next level and actually have it protect you while you make your meals that you will then serve on your dinner table that is covered with your hemp tablecloth? Having a hemp apron may not sound like much, but it’s pretty much the best possible apron you can wear in the kitchen.
The aforementioned antibacterial and hypoallergenic qualities of hemp will make sure that you stay hygienic while you prepare your meals in the kitchen. Since hemp is also durable and rugged, you’re sure to be able to keep wearing it for years to come.
You can also have deep pockets on your apron to keep commonly used tools and utensils on your person so you won’t have to keep scrambling around in your kitchen. It doesn’t even have to be limited to the kitchen as you can wear your hemp apron in the workshop as well, and it will keep your clothes clean and protected against dust and debris.
Socks
This is where hemp’s natural antibacterial qualities can truly shine. Everyone knows that socks can get quite stinky after hours of wearing them in shoes. As the feet sweat, bacteria thrive in the warm and damp environment in the shoes, and the socks soak it all up.
What makes hemp socks different is due to the hemp fibers’ natural antibacterial properties that are inhospitable for bacteria that would otherwise grow and multiply in your shoes while you’re wearing them. Also, since hemp is quite soft and comfortable, they’ll be socks that you’ll want to wear all the time, making them a convenient alternative to cotton socks.
Conclusion
Hemp is becoming a great alternative to most fibers we’ve been using for our clothing and textiles. Not only is it completely organic, but it’s also sustainable and easy to cultivate. As time goes by, we can hope that hemp will become more of a mainstay in the textile industry as one of the staple fibers in the industry.
With this list, perhaps we can better appreciate what these items do for our lives and how hemp can further improve them. In the meantime, please check out our comfy hemp shirts, joggers, beanies, and other hemp goodies.