Hemp Sheets vs Linen Sheets vs Cotton Sheets
Understanding what’s good for you and the planet.
Knowing the truth behind the sustainability of your fabric can be confusing and simply overwhelming due to the massive amount of information available. Diving into the details of the textile industry can not only be confusing, but also very alarming.
With so many options on the market, and more and more information being brought to light about the environmental footprint of the textile industry, the fabric of your next purchase says a lot more than just the look and feel of that particular product. So we ask: What does your textile choice say about you?
Cotton
“Standard Comfort” - Purchases tried and tested products, eco-solutions not front of mind.
Cotton is the most common plant textile, used for a variety of products including clothing, bedding and various personal accessories. Whilst cotton is cheap and accessible, most established cotton producers rely heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides to improve crop growth and to meet global demand. Whilst organic crops don’t use these nasty chemicals, cotton production still requires a huge amount of water, and does not promote healthy soil ecosystems like other plants.
Linen
“Design Focused” - Trend follower, probably an instagram fanatic!
Linen has recently emerged as a practical textile, with its popularity consistently growing among style-focused individuals (we think this is partly due to its use in some very instagrammable products!). Although it is sold as an environmentally friendly option, it often requires several washes after manufacturing to feel softer before it even comes onto the shelf. Additionally, herbicides are often required in production of the crop, as weeds generally grow alongside the flax plant. Overall, linen is a great alternative to cotton as it requires far less water in cultivation, and can be used to create airy summer clothing.
Hemp
“Eco Conscious Luxury” - Innovative, environmentally conscious, progressive.
Hemp has been used in the textiles industry for thousands of years, but was criminalised in the US for decades, allowing the cotton industry to cement itself as the dominant natural fiber in the West. Hemp is now an increasingly popular sustainable alternative to other fibers, but is yet to reach market maturity. Hemp is naturally resistant to pests which means hemp can grow without the use of herbicides or pesticides. Hemp also requires very little water to grow - in fact up to 50% less water than cotton. Hemp is extremely high yielding, reaching maturity within 3-4 months, with a single hemp plant yielding 220% more fiber than a cotton plant. Look, we could continue to list the benefits for hemp, but if you want to know more you can find an overview at our “Why Hemp?” journal post.
Okay, okay… we may be a little biased, but it’s hard to argue with the facts!
Hemp is a pretty incredible plant, and we love seeing more and more products being made using hemp. So, when you are next looking for a new t-shirt, new dress, or maybe even some new bed sheets (hey - this set looks good!), consider the impact that your textile choice has, and what it says about you.
