What Exactly Is Hemp Linen?

Ever wondered why everyone's suddenly chatting about hemp linen—and why it's making traditional linen sheets feel a bit jealous?

If you're anything like me, you probably grew up associating hemp with either hippies or ropes. But these days, hemp linen is becoming the go-to for anyone who loves soft, breathable bedding. So, let's get into it—what exactly is hemp linen, and why am I so excited about it?

First Things First, What’s Hemp Linen Anyway?

Hemp linen is made from the fibres of—you guessed it—the hemp plant. It's a cousin to flax linen, sharing that natural, earthy vibe. Honestly, it confused me at first too, until I realised hemp and linen aren’t exactly the same, even if they're pretty similar. Flax gives us traditional linen, and hemp gives us hemp linen—but hemp linen tends to be tougher, more durable, and a bit chunkier in texture.

There's a whole debate online about hemp versus linen sheets. To me, the main difference is pretty simple: hemp softens up quicker and gets softer with every wash, meaning your sheets are basically ageing backwards. Pretty neat trick, huh?

I wrote a whole thing about hemp vs linen here if you're keen to dive deeper.

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Why I Fell Head Over Heels for Hemp Linen

I didn't just wake up one day and decide hemp was cool—I started researching bedding fabrics obsessively. I wanted sheets that felt amazing but didn’t destroy the planet (or my sleep schedule). Hemp linen ticked both boxes. It's ridiculously breathable, helping me stay cool even during those sweltering Aussie summers. But here's the kicker—it's insulating too. No more freezing toes in winter!

Plus, hemp is naturally antimicrobial, meaning fewer nasties hang around your sheets. You know, for those who might occasionally forget laundry day. Guilty.

Don't just take my word for it— this article backs me up on why hemp linen is such a smart choice.

Sustainability Is a Big Deal

One of the coolest things about hemp is how chill it is on the environment. It uses way less water than cotton and zero pesticides. If Mother Nature had a favourite bedding choice, I'm pretty sure hemp linen would top her list.

There's a reason I chose hemp as the hero for Jo Dope. It's honestly just better—both for sleep and sustainability. Check out more on why hemp is our go-to fabric here.

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So, Is Hemp Linen Itchy?

Let’s clear something up—hemp linen is NOT itchy. People always ask me about this, probably picturing burlap sacks or something. It’s a fair question, but hemp linen actually gets softer with every wash. Honestly, after a few spins in the machine, you'll wonder how you ever slept on anything else.

If you're curious about this itch myth, here’s me busting that one wide open.

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But What About Durability?

Another massive perk—hemp linen is tough as nails. You can literally hand these sheets down to your kids (if they'd even want sheets from their parents). The point is, these sheets last. It's not like those flimsy cotton ones that fall apart after a couple of summers. Hemp linen's got you for the long haul.

For the science behind its toughness, check out this handy breakdown here.

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Looking After Your Hemp Linen

Good news—hemp linen is low maintenance, like the plant itself. Wash it gently, let it dry naturally, and it'll keep rewarding you with softer sleeps. If you're keen to get more out of your hemp linen (and who isn't?), I wrote about drying sheets in a small apartment here.

Ready to Switch to Hemp Linen?

If I've convinced you hemp linen's the way to go (and I really hope I have), then why not give it a go? Your sleep, the planet, and probably your future grandkids (okay, maybe that's a stretch) will thank you for making the switch.

And hey, if you've still got questions, don't hesitate to drop me a line here. I love a good chat about bedding—possibly too much.

Love,

Oscar from Jo Dope