5 Reasons Why Hemp Fabric Is Your Best Bet for the Summer

When it comes to sustainable fabric options for the summer, there’s no better choice than hemp. Whether it’s clothing, bedding, underwear, or even the fabric used in shoes, it has a diverse range of qualities that make it highly appealing for all sorts of textile applications. Don’t just take our word for it; Take a look at our top five reasons why we think hemp is a total win.

Key Takeaways:

• Hemp is a natural anti-bacterial since it contains bioactive compounds that have even proven to help fight bacterial strains like E.Coli
• Its anti-bacterial properties also enable it to fight odor. 
• Since hemp is a bast fibre that comes from the softer parts of the plant’s stalk, its fabric is known to get more supple with every wash 
• Hemp has an Ultraviolet Protection Factor of 50+, making it naturally resistant to UV rays
• Considered to be 4x times sturdier than cotton, it is ideal for longer use 

1. Naturally Anti-bacterial

Courtesy of the pandemic, all things’ anti-bacterial have suddenly gained more of our attention — and with good reason. According to researchers, hemp contains:

• Cannabinoids (not to be confused with its cousin marijuana).
• Alkaloids and other bioactive compounds contribute to its anti-bacterial nature

The plant has shown effective anti-bacterial resistance against bacterial strains like E. Coli, making hemp ideal for food packaging and medical dressing.  

2. Fights Odour

If there’s one thing that doesn’t last too long during those long hot summer days, it’s deodorant. Lucky for us hemp fabric comes packed with odour-fighting properties that make it the perfect choice for sweltering climates. Since hemp fabric actively fights microbes, this makes clothes stay clean for long periods and prevents them from developing odour-causing bacteria. Guess we don’t have to worry about re-applying those pesky deodorants anymore?

3. Soft as a Feather

Hemp, known for feeling deliciously soft on the skin, has a unique ability to get softer with every wash and wear. Since hemp is a natural bast fibre that comes from the softer parts of the plant’s stalk or stem, its softness distinguishes them from the coarser leaf fibres. So much so, that hemp is also used to create super-soft toilet paper. Nothing makes unbearable summers a lot easier than soft-to-touch fabrics like hemp.

4. Sunscreen in the Form of Clothing

We have heard of sunscreen sticks, creams, and even edible sunscreen pills, but a fabric that naturally protects you from the sun’s harmful rays has got to be a first. That’s right, hemp fibre has naturally UV-resistant properties. According to skin cancer research, a fabric’s UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) value is a number that coincides with the fraction of UV rays it allows to pass through and hit your skin — the higher the UPF number, the better the protection. Research claims that hemp has a UPF of >50 (according to European standard) due to natural pigments and lignin within the fibres, which act as UV absorbers.

5. It Can Outlive Cotton

Compared to cotton, hemp is a better choice for the consumer and the environment. For starters, hemp fibre is a lot stronger than cotton; aspects like constant wear and washing have no effect on hemp fibres as much as it does on cotton. Furthermore, it happens to be 4x times sturdier than cotton, which makes hemp ideal for the long haul. 

Shop: Nanya Blazer in Milky Chai

Shop: Mondo Jacket in Navy Blue

Intrigued to know more about this multi-tasking miracle fibre? Visit our other hemp-related blogs below;

• 3 Reasons Why We’re Obsessed with Hemp
• Know Your Zavi Material: Hemp
• Is Hemp Biodegradable?

And don’t forget to shop our sustainable range of hemp clothing for women and hemp clothing for men.