Hemp vs. Linen

You've heard of linen sheets but you may not have heard of hemp sheets - yet. For those of you who aren't familiar with hemp fabric, one of the best ways to describe it is that it feels and looks similar to linen. However, hemp is smoother, stronger, and more breathable. Aka it's the better version of linen.

How does hemp feel compared to linen?

Looks-wise, they look almost identical, but feel-wise, hemp is smoother than linen and doesn't have that "scratch" that linen products tend to have. Linen products tend to lose that scratch after a few washes, and tend to get softer over time. Hemp also gets softer over time, but you'll never feel any initial scratchiness in our hemp fabric. 

As mentioned, both products get softer over time. However, hemp fiber is about eight times as strong as linen, so hemp fabric preserves its quality and retains its shape for a longer period of time. Hemp fabric will not wear out with repeated washings and overuse; it will wear in.

Is hemp more sustainable than linen?

Yes, hemp outperforms linen in terms of its sustainability.

Hemp doesn't require pesticides or fertilizers to grow

Hemp is naturally resistant to pests and weeds, meaning it doesn't require pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, or fertilizers to grow. Linen is grown from the flax plant, which often uses pesticides and herbicides to grow because it is susceptible to pests and weeds that interfere with the healthy growing of the crop.

Hemp enriches the soil its planted on

Hemp is also known as a bio-accumulator, meaning it detoxifies and enriches the soil. Hemp prevents soil erosion and keeps soil healthy even in periods of drought. Flax depletes the soil over time and will require rotating. Because of this, flax is discouraged from being planted in drought-prone areas or eroding soil. Hemp on the other hand, can be planted in rural areas and in barren ground because of the potential to remedy and improve the soil, all while growing faster than flax and producing more fiber than flax. 

Hemp positively contributes to biodiversity

A fun fact about hemp is that pollinating bees LOVE hemp. Hemp is a valuable pollen source during the months between July and September, a time when bees struggle to find pollen from its usual popular sources. As hemp becomes a more popular crop in the US, it has the potential to improve and sustain the bee population. 

Furthermore, in a Canadian study from 1999 that compared the biodiversity friendliness of crops with a special reference to hemp, it was found that hemp is not only extremely compatible with the environment, but it also had a net positive effect on biodiversity. It will be interesting to see such positive effects as well as new environmentally friendly findings from this crop as it continues to gain popularity amongst farmers, particularly in the US, since it is now legal to farm here.

Why choose hemp sheets over linen sheets?

Hemp bedding is still new to market - because hemp was illegal to farm in the US for so many years, it is not widely used or available. Hemp will continue to gain popularity over the coming years and will one day be linen's biggest competitor because of the similarity in its look and feel. 

That being said, the quality hemp fabric outperforms linen. It is smoother, stronger, more durable, and lasts longer. Plus, we can no longer ignore the needs of our planet. Hemp is a more sustainable crop than flax, which is something that needs to be held to a higher regard. 

When compared to linen bedding, hemp is more breathable, cooling, and moisture-wicking. Its thermoregulating properties keep you cool when warm and warm when cool, always ensuring you're sleeping at your most comfortable temperature. Hemp is the better option in terms of coziness, quality, and sustainability.

Invest in products that last and make the switch to hemp today.