Similarities between hemp and linen;
- Both linen and hemp start out as tough fabrics that soften through use and washing.
- Both are strong, long-lasting fibers (though most sources say hemp is up to 8 times stronger).
- Both materials are natural and breathable
- Both fabrics absorb moisture and dye easily.
- Both fabrics have antibacterial properties.
- Both have hollow fibers, which makes them effective insulators - keeping them cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
- Both fabrics improve wash after wash.
- Both fabrics are biodegradable.
- Both are moth, mildew and mildew resistant.
- The negative feature of both is that they wrinkle very easily.
- Both can be mixed with other fibers to add new beneficial properties.
Differences between hemp and linen;
- Hemp fiber bundles are longer than linen, which explains why hemp is stronger than linen.
- Its fibers are of different colors. (The fibers of the hemp plant are yellowish-gray and dark brown, the fibers of the linen plant are yellowish-camel hair and gray)
- Hemp is highly resistant to ultraviolet light, so it will not fade or disintegrate in sunlight.
- Elastic recovery of linen fabric is better than hemp; in fact, hemp stretches less than any other natural fiber.
- Hemp requires very little maintenance compared to linen. Linen garments go through several washes after their initial production before gradually changing from a rough feel to a softer feel. Hemp softens after the first wash and gets softer with each subsequent wash.
Environmental Impacts of Hemp and Linen;
- The biggest advantage of hemp over hemp is how it is grown. Hemp is incredibly easy to grow and naturally resistant to many pests, meaning it can be grown successfully without the use of herbicides and pesticides. Linen is not very weed resistant, so in some cases herbicides are used.
- On the same land, hemp is more productive; The average hemp yield is between 500 and 800 pounds. average is only 325 - 450 lbs for linen.
- Another advantage of growing hemp over linen is that it has long taproots that are very good for soil, so it's a great rotation crop. This means it can be grown on the same land every year. On the other hand, linen can be grown in the same area for about five years, but without the soil being depleted.
- One disadvantage of growing hemp is that it is a very hungry plant and needs a lot of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and water to produce a successful yield. When it comes to nutritional requirements, linen has a definite advantage as it requires little water and nutrients.
- In terms of biodiversity support, hemp is definitely in the first place. Fiber hemp is rated as the fifth best crop for biodiversity (after alfalfa, timber trees, oilseed hemp, and ginseng), while linen comes in ninth (after apples, peanuts, and grapes).
Linen and Hemp Applications;
Hemp and linen seeds are considered super healthy and contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seeds are also used to make milk and plant protein.
The leaves and flowers of the hemp (Cannabis sativa) plant contain cannabinoids such as CBD. CBD oil is used to alleviate a range of health problems, from epilepsy to insomnia.
Hemp fibers are used as an ingredient in textiles, paper, biofuels, plastics, animal feed, building materials and skin care. In textiles, hemp has a variety of applications such as clothing, rugs, shoes, upholstery and hats. Linen is traditionally used in home textiles such as tea towels, wall coverings, lampshades, bedding and table linens. It's also very popular in summer fashion - linen skirts, shirts, tops and dresses keep you cool and airy during the summer months.
As a result, although linen and hemp have similar properties in many respects, hemp also has environmental importance, mainly because its cultivation does not require pesticides and is beneficial for the soil. However, both fibers are considered to have strategic importance in terms of their use in many different applications.
