Do you wonder what is better hemp or cotton?
The answer is a difficult one.
Hemp and cotton are both natural and breathable, but which one is better?
What is hemp?
Hemp is an ethical and natural plant that is grown sustainably all over the world.
Made to be eco-friendly and leaving a little impact, hemp is a popular fiber that offers quality benefits for the wearer.
Hemp is strong and durable, making it a great option for those looking for a fabric that will stand the test of time.
The fiber can be dyed and used in a wide range of clothing and uses. The fabric works well for all styles and is antibacterial and more insulating compared with cotton.
Grown across the world, hemp is a popular fiber as it is ethical and easy to grow.
The plant can grow up for 4 meters high and thrives. It has grown naturally in some parts of the world and has a tiny level of THC which is barely traceable.
Unlike marijuana, the plant does not make you high and has different leaves compared with the marijuana plant.
Are you searching for a natural and eco-friendly fiber for your clothing or accessories? Hemp is the answer.
What is cotton?
Just like hemp, cotton is natural and comes from the cotton plant.
Cotton has been used for plenty of clothing, thanks to its ease of use and the fact that it can be made into plenty of woven fabrics.
You can use cotton in clothing including underwear, socks, shirts, pants and just about anything in between.
Cotton is inexpensive and the fibers can resist wrinkles and shrinkage. The fabric is strong, however, it is argued hemp is more durable.
People use cotton for a wide range of uses including clothing, underwear and much more.
Cotton can be dyed but naturally comes in a cream or white – hemp fibers are a natural color to begin with and many use natural dyes on hemp material.
Why is hemp better than cotton?
It can be argued that hemp and cotton are similar as they are both natural and used for a wide range of uses.
That said, hemp softens over time which means it offers a great natural alternative to cotton.
People will choose hemp over cotton if they are looking to embrace a natural style that is ethical and made to last.
Hemp is also able to breathe a little better than cotton fibers which offer benefits for those in warmer climates.
For the past couple of thousands of years, hemp has been used for a wide range of practical applications including clothing, rope, shoes and much more.
The big difference for why hemp is better than cotton is due to the fact that cotton uses lots of water to grow. Hemp, on the other hand, needs little irrigation and barely any water.
On top of this, cotton needs herbicides, pesticides, and unnatural sprays to grow successfully. The other big difference is that hemp can grow three times the plant in the same space, making the carbon footprint even lower.
Not needing the chemicals and pesticides means that hemp is a safe and organic plant, and individuals have the assurance their material is natural.
Benefits of hemp
While cotton is initially softer and more comfortable, hemp, once worn, will become softer and more enjoyable to wear.
The hemp plant is a natural plant that is easy to grow. The plant is ethical and sustainable, making it one of the most eco-friendly fibers available.
Hemp has been used for thousands of years thanks to their durability. You have the peace of mind that if you are using hemp you have an item that is naturally designed to last.
The fibers on the hemp plant are water absorbent and are anti0bacterial so you can enjoy hemp in the cool or in the heat.
Being used for thousands of years for a wide range of purposes, hemp is strong and can be applied for a range of uses.
Don’t underestimate hemp and its fibers, you will find that many designers use a blend of both hemp and cotton for their durability.
Is hemp breathable like cotton?
The hemp plant and the cotton plant are both quite breathable.
On top of this, if you wear a natural fiber like hemp or cotton you will feel comfortable.
The big difference is that hemp is anti-bacterial and is also resistant to mold and mildew.
Cotton does much of what hemp does, however it doesn’t dry as quickly and sometimes it can hold onto moisture, which can make it a little smelly.
Overall, you’ll find hemp is more breathable than cotton as it will wick moisture away and not hold odor.
At the end of the day, the two fibers are natural which is one of the main things, however, the smell of the cotton could make hemp the fabric of choice particularly for those living in warm environments where body odor is an issue.
Which is more sustainable, cotton or hemp?
Cotton uses more pesticides than hemp, and this makes it a little less healthy than hemp.
While both fibers are natural, hemp is pesticide-free and organic, for your peace of mind.
The fact that cotton needs chemicals to grow plus its water-intensive needs mean that hemp is the winner when it comes to being the most sustainable.
If you love the idea of using a fabric that is eco-friendly and green, consider hemp instead of cotton.
Hemp fibers keep their shape which means when you are using hemp fabric you can be assured that the material will stay in good shape for longer.
Cotton as a fiber is used comprehensively for a range of clothing and accessories, however, it is less sustainable and can smell when wet.
Are you wanting to find out once and for all which better hemp or cotton? While it might be a close call, hemp is well known for its breathability, anti-bacterial elements and ability to resist odors.