In current environmental conditions, where sustainability is the priority for everyone, hemp for clothing is gaining laurels. To maintain sustainability in the textile and clothing industry, people are embracing hemp as a sustainable alternative. Hemp is a trending sustainable alternative for many conventional fabrics such as polyester, silk, and even cotton. In this article, we will go through a comparative analysis of hemp with some of these commonly used conventional fabrics.
The Versatility of Hemp fabric
Hemp: Hemp is a versatile plant and fabric derived from hemp fibers. People are using hemp in textiles and clothing for its versatility as it is the most durable, breathable, and absorbent fabric. Moreover, hemp fabric can naturally resist mold and UV rays, making it an excellent choice for outdoor as a long-lasting clothing material. These myriad reasons result in proving hemp fabric, a prior choice for the evolving textile industry.
Cotton: Cotton is also a natural fiber used widely in the textile industry. Its fabric is also soft, breathable, and absorbent. However, cotton farming consumes a large amount of water and uses a significant amount of pesticides. Thus, cotton farming produces a vast environmental effect making cotton a less preferable fabric in comparison with hemp.
Polyester: It is a synthetic chemical-based fabric derived from petroleum-based chemicals. However, it is a soft, breathable, and wrinkle-resistant fabric but it is a non-biodegradable cloth producing harmful effects to the environment and few resources.
Silk: Silk is also a natural fabric famous for its softness and sheen. It is a luxurious and expensive fabric produced from silkworms which is why producing silk is a labor-intensive process. The silk production process can harm silkworms raising questions about ethics using it.
Sustainability: Hemp’s Environmental Edge
Hemp: One of the main reasons why hemp is preferred is that it produces minimal environmental effects on the environment. This eco-friendly plant takes less time, water, and pesticides. Additionally, it can naturally resist pests promoting soil health and reducing soil erosion. Moreover, it can grow in a variety of climates and consumes a significant amount of environmental CO2 increasing sustainability.
Cotton: Traditional cotton farming uses a lot of water. Thus it’s a water-intensive crop that heavily relies on pesticides resulting in soil degradation and water pollution. Though, organic cotton is still better but also needs significant water content.
Polyester: Polyester is a non-biodegradable fabric and its production is an energy-intensive process that uses non-renewable resources. The fabric causes environmental pollution and water pollution by generating microplastic in water bodies.
Silk: Silk is obtained by the process called sericulture, which is a labor-intensive process and can be exploitative. This process puts a question mark on ethical concerns and sustainability as well.
Durability and Longevity
Hemp: Durability is another exceptional quality of hemp fabric. It can last for years and become softer after every wash. It has strong fiber used in making various clothing materials, bags, and even upholstery.
Cotton: Although cotton is a comfortable fabric to wear, but not last for long as hemp. Frequent washing of cotton can also reduce longevity and result in shrinkage.
Polyester: Polyester is also a durable cloth that resists wrinkles and abrasion. But it may give a worn appearance after some time.
Silk: It is a delicate fabric that is nearly vulnerable to tearing and snagging. This makes the fabric less durable and long-lasting in comparison to hemp and polyester.
Comfort and Breathability
Hemp: In the category of comfort and durability, hemp comes first. It is a highly breathable and soft fabric that is popular for its moisture-absorbing quality, making it suitable for hot and humid climates. Moreover, hemp cloth protects from the UV rays of the sun, making it suitable for outdoors as well.
Cotton: Cotton is also popular as a comfortable and breathable cloth but it cannot absorb moisture in humid conditions as hemp can. This may lead to discomfort.
Polyester: Polyester also absorbs moisture instantly and also a quick-drying fabric. But still, it is not as comfortable as natural fibers, hemp, and cotton.
Silk: It is a very smooth and comfortable fabric against the skin. Silk is a luxury fabric good at managing body temperature.
Cost Considerations
Hemp: Hemp fabric is currently more expensive than other fabrics as it is not currently produced on a large scale. Although it uses less time and resources, saving a significant cost, but takes comparatively more cost due to low production scale. However, its cost may decrease in the future when its demand will rise.
Cotton: Cotton has a high demand and is available at competitive prices. Organic cotton production takes more cost due to more sustainable farming practices.
Polyester: It is usually less costly than other natural fibers but its environmental effects cost a lot to people and the earth’s health.
Silk: Being a luxury and labor-intensive fabric it is more expensive in comparison to other fabric options.
Ethical and Social Implications
Hemp: The cultivation and production of hemp fabric is more ethical compared to many other fabrics. As we have mentioned earlier, hemp is a sustainable fabric that is a socially responsible choice of fabric.
Cotton: Ethical concerns are high in conventional cotton farming as it uses pesticides and cotton farming is water-intensive. While organic cotton is a more ethical clothing alternative.
Polyester: Its production is an energy-intensive process causing plastic pollution. Thus, polyester production has high ethical concerns.
Silk: The silk production process highlights ethical issues as to produce silk, producers typically boil the silkworms alive to obtain cocoons.
Conclusion
Hemp is the strong contender as the most sustainable and ethical clothing choice. Comparing hemp with other fabrics proves it is maiden in sustainability, durability, breathability, and versatility. It appears as the captivating choice for the consumers and textile industry as well. As hemp fabric is a promising future of the fashion industry the world is looking forward to embracing it more.
Despite numerous benefits, the demand and lack of awareness among customers hinder its popularity. Hopefully, this eco-friendly fabric will drive affordability and innovation in the thriving hemp market. And will further pave the way toward a sustainable future by grabbing a lead in the thriving responsible fashion industry.