Hemp Vs Linen: Comparison & Review

Hemp is the new friend of Son de Flor, but we fell in love with it from the first glance, or the first touch, we might say.

Hemp is a sibling to our beloved linen and we welcomed it to our life as if one with gratefulness for being kind to our Planet and our skin.

We can’t wait for you to meet it and we are sure you will love it as much as we do!

Find more information about hemp vs linen here, and let’s learn more about both wonderful fabrics together!

About Hemp and Linen

Hemp fabric, the same way as linen, has been used in many households around the world for centuries.

If we would need to describe it in few words, we would name it as a sibling of linen sharing many of the same wonderful qualities such as durability, sustainability and versatility among many others.

It is a fabric which has a long history that started in ancient China and quickly integrated into people's lifestyles worldwide and it continues to this day with our clothes, kitchen and bedroom garments and more.

What is Hemp?

Hemp fibers, derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, in the textile industry. These fibers are known for their durability, breathability, and sustainability, making them a popular eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials in the production of clothing and accessories.

What is Linen?

Linen is made from the fibers of the flax plant. It's valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather, characterized by its crisp and textured feel. Linen is known for its natural luster, strength, and durability.

How To Differentiate Linen and Hemp?

The biggest difference between hemp and linen are the plants that they grow of.

Hemp grows out of a crop from the cannabis sativa plant family while linen fabric is made out of a flax plant which looks like a lovely blue flower.

But when it comes to the fabric, it is almost impossible to distinguish hemp from linen as they look identical.

The most effective way to differentiate one from the other would be to use a microscope or chemical examination, but there are some other ways to do it.

Hemp and linen fibers can also be distinguished by the direction in which they twist when wet as hemp turns counterclockwise and flax - clockwise.

Moreover, both fabrics have a slight difference in their natural color before dying as flax fibers are usually yellowish to gray while hemp can be from yellowish-gray to dark brown.

Similarities Between Hemp And Linen

Hemp and linen share a handful of similarities which make them stand out from all the other fabrics in the market.

Besides being completely natural fabrics made out of plants that do not use any chemicals and pesticides during their growth, hemp requires about half and linen about 3% of the water required for cotton production.
Not only that, but also both materials are biodegradable and eco-friendly making our planet a better place for us and future generations.
Hemp and linen are extremely breathable fabrics letting your skin breathe through your clothes and your sheets at night.
Also, due to the moisture absorbent qualities of hemp and linen you feel very comfortable wearing in summer. And talking about the superpowers that these two fabrics have, they are thermoregulating, meaning that they will help you to cool when it is warm and keep you warm when it is cold.
Additionally, hemp and linen share their antibacterial properties that not only saves your time and utilities, letting you have bigger time intervals between the washes.
Both hemp and linen are moth and insect resistant. This helps so much for the nature lovers who tend to spend lots of time outside as then it simplifies life's so much without any need to purchase chemical substances to ask little friends of fields and forest for some personal space.
Taking care of hemp and linen is quite simple. All you need to do is wash it in a washing machine, or by hand using a delicate, using a preferably natural, detergent and a gentle wash cycle. No softener is required. After that it is best to let the garments air-dry in the open air or in a spacious well ventilated room. Even though hemp and linen have a natural tendency to wrinkle, we see it as a charming quality which looks organic on hemp and linen. In case you wish to smoothen the surface of your pieces, you always iron it gently and carefully or just smooth it with a wet hand and let it dry in a few moments.
Last but not least, hemp and linen are extremely durable fabrics which can last up to decades if well cared for. Imagine, how magical it would be to share your life moments with your hemp or linen friend and after, see it continue its journey in the hands of a younger generation and even further.

Hemp vs. Linen: Pros And Cons

Both hemp and linen have their unique qualities that make them so special among other fabrics.

But at the same time, same way as any other fabrics, they have some qualities which might be considered as disadvantages and need to be known before making a purchase.

Have a look at some pros and cons of hemp and linen according to some topics.

Clothing

Hemp is “weather resistant” which means you don’t have to worry if you leave your hemp piece in the sun or find yourself trapped under the rain wearing your favorite dress: it will not be damaged. In fact, hemp will resist almost any of your activities thanks to its incredible sturdiness.
Linen will also be resistant to the challenges of staying in the perfect condition, however, you should protect it from leaving on direct sunlight for days and the color might wash out for the brighter colored garments.

Care

The care for hemp linen is a bit more demanding than the care for other fabrics like cotton or nylon but less demanding than linen.

Even though hemp is extremely strong, you have to take care of it properly (in a similar way that you have to take care of linen). Don’t be scared, the instructions to take care of your hemp item of clothing are not that complicated: you have to use low-temperature water during washing, as well as a natural laundry detergent.

You should not use a detergent containing bleach or try to bleach the fabric since this would damage it. It is also not recommended to tumble dry items made with hemp linen.

Dry cleaning is better to be avoided, except if it is absolutely necessary; there is a high risk of ruining hemp fibers if they are dry cleaned too often. In the case you think the wrinkly aspect of hemp is a problem, you can iron it, but only using low temperature as well and from the inside out.

If you follow all these rules, there will not be any problems with the fabric and it will live for years – you will even be able to pass your hemp dress down to your children!

Mold Resistance

Hemp, differently than linen, has a unique quality of being rotting, mildew and mold which helps its durability in the various humid conditions.
Also, hemp is resistant to salt water, so spending summers by the sea and long walks barefoot in the water are absolutely safe.

Softness

Naturally linen requires more to “break” and gradually build their softness while all hemp needs much less. However, at Son de Flor all linen and hemp garments are pre-softened meaning they arrive already soft to be worn after being unpacked.

Elasticity

Linen does not have a lot of elasticity in it, however, if compared to hemp fabric, the elastic recovery of it is better than hemp. In fact, hemp is one of the least stretching fabrics yet this is never an issue when the clothing garment is tailored to fit majority of body shapes and forms.

Price

Hemp linen will tend to be a little bit more expensive than other fabrics used in slow fashion, mainly because of its very limited production. This only shows how special and precious hemp really is for our environment and skin which will be your friend for many years.

UV Light Resistance

Hemp is highly resistant to ultraviolet light, due to this it won’t fade or disintegrate in sunlight.
Linen is not as resistant to the sunlight which is not an issue at all, we only need to be careful of leaving it for long hours in the direct sunlight.

Dying

Hemp usually is more difficult to dye than linen, so it can limit the color palette it can exist in. However, this does not make the fabric less beautiful in the colors that it is made in.

Which is Better for Clothing: Hemp or Linen?

Hemp and linen are both great fabrics for clothes, but they each have their own benefits.

Linen is popular because it is light and cool, making it perfect for hot conditions. It also has a unique, rich feel to it.

But hemp is also very long-lasting and eco-friendly, which makes it a great choice for people who care about the environment and want clothes that will last.

We are so happy and excited to invite hemp into our family of sustainable, timeless and versatile Son de Flor closet. We invite you to check our hemp clothing for women collection .

Both our new friend, hemp, and our beloved linen are extraordinary fabrics which bring so much beauty and calm into our lives with their amazing qualities. We are so grateful to be able to share this beauty together with you!