Cleaning and Softening Hemp

Among those familiar with hemp fabric from years ago, hemp has a reputation as being stiff and even abrasive to the skin. The naturally long and strong fibers created fabric that was stiffer and heavier. Hemp textile manufacturers have sought ways to improve the softness of hemp fabric.

Chemical Methods.

Chemical processing uses heavy caustic sodas and acid rinses to pulp, clean and soften the fiber. Unfortunately this strips the fiber of much of its rich character and strength and produces hazardous, environmentally-destructive waste. Solvents are used to scour and clean the fabrics.

Organic Methods.

Ecologically-minded hemp textile manufacturers have been researching and developing new methods and machinery to produce chemical-free, organic hemp fabrics that are soft to the skin and yet retain the exceptional durability of hemp. ECOLUTION®, an environmentally-friendly grower and manufacturer of hemp products that is based in Romania, has pioneered many of the new methods for producing superior hemp garments and products. They have accomplished this by refining the hackling stage of their combing technology and the banding stage in the fiber preparation.

Because of its low lignin content, hemp can be pulped using less chemicals than with wood. Its natural brightness can obviate the need to use chlorine bleach, which means no extremely toxic dioxin being dumped into streams. A kinder and gentler chemistry using hydrogen peroxide rather than chlorine dixoide is possible with hemp fibers. All scouring and cleaning agents are biodegradable, rather than solvent  based.