Hemp is one of the strongest, most durable all-natural threads, but only if you care for it consciously. Clothing label, AFENDS often get asked about the correct ways to care for their hemp threads, so they’ve set out seven simple steps for keeping your hemp happy. And we promise, if you look after hemp, it will wear in, not out.
1. WEAR MORE & WASH LESS
Hemp is naturally antibacterial, antimicrobial, and super breathable, which means it effectively fights against germs and odor, keeping your threads cleaner for longer. You only need to wash your hemp when absolutely necessary, and the more you wear it, the softer it gets, so opt for airing it out between wearing instead. By washing hemp less, you’re not only conserving water and energy but also reducing wear and tear, increasing the life cycle of your favorite threads.
2. DON’T LET STAINS SET
Hemp is super absorbent, so make sure you don’t let stains set as they might be permanent and make sure you remove the stain before you wash it. To get stains out of hemp, directly apply detergent to the garment or pre-soak it before washing.
3. SAY NO TO HARSH CHEMICALS
Avoid using any harsh chemicals such as bleach on hemp, not only are they super damaging to the planet but also your hemp clothing. Keep it simple with a mild detergent, preferably an environmentally friendly one – and If you want to brighten your white threads, add a cup of baking soda to your load and watch them glow.
4. WASH COLD & KEEP IT GENTLE
When washing hemp, ensure you set your machine to a cool to warm temperature, never hot, and keep it on a gentle spin cycle with similar colored garments to protect those precious fibres. Don’t bother with dry cleaning your hemp, as it is better to wash with water.
5. LINE DRY OR DRY FLAT
Avoid putting your hemp clothing in the dryer at all times due to the risk of possible shrinkage and misshaping – instead, opt for line drying. Hemp is super absorbent, and when it’s wet, it can be heavy, so where possible, dry it flat to avoid the garment growing or misshaping. Also, make sure to turn your vibrant or dark threads inside out to reduce the risk of fading.
6. IRON WHILE WET
Hemp can withstand a hot iron, but if you need to iron your hemp, use the steam setting and ensure the garment is on the reverse side and still damp to avoid any damage. Heat can also help bounce the garment back into shape if it has stretched out.
7. FOLDING IS YOUR FRIEND
Hemp has a tendency to grow… to stop this from happening, avoid hanging your threads on a clothes hanger and instead keep them folded, especially knits and heavier garments.
