Clothes made from hemp are full of charm. However, there are some things to keep in mind when washing. What happens after washing? How often do you wash? If you know the properties of hemp, you can also understand the precautions when washing. This time, I will talk about the characteristics of hemp products and tips on how to wash and dry them.
What kind of fabric is hemp?
Hemp fabric is made from the plant “hemp”. There are various types of hemp, and “linen” and “ramie” that you see in clothing material labels are also types of hemp. Linen and ramie are fine and smooth fabrics among hemp, so they are often used for shirts and blouses. Materials such as jute, which is often used for rugs, and hemp, which is often used for strings, are also related to hemp.
Perfect for summer clothing and bedding!
Hemp has the following characteristics.
- hard fiber
- airy
- Excellent water absorption and hygroscopicity
- dries quickly
If you say that the fiber is hard, you may have an image that it is not suitable for clothing. However, even if you wear hemp clothes, it doesn’t feel stiff, and it feels firm. Thanks to its hard fibers, clothes will not stick to your skin even if you sweat.
In addition, it absorbs water and moisture better than other natural materials such as cotton, and even if you sweat, it will quickly absorb it. In addition, it dries quickly, so the sweat you absorb will dry quickly. Well ventilated and cool. Hemp is a material that you want to actively use in summer.
what happens when you wash it?
Hemp is a material full of charm. Especially in the summer, you will want to wear it every day. If you wear it many times, you will have to wash it many times, but hemp is also a little delicate. Depending on the washing method, the disadvantages of the material may outweigh the advantages. what happens when you wash it? I will tell you about four characteristics.
may shrink
Hemp has the property that when it gets wet, the fibers become tight. Tightening means that the fibers shrink. Many of them are processed so that they do not shrink, but depending on the product, they may shrink by a few percent when washed. You need to keep in mind that it will shrink when you buy it, but depending on how you wash it, you can prevent it as much as possible.
lose color
Hemp is a material that is difficult to dye deep into the fibers. Since the dye does not adhere well to the fabric, especially dark colored products may fade to the extent that the color of the water is dyed. The color may transfer to other clothing due to friction during washing or wearing, so you must be especially careful when wearing or washing freshly purchased items.
prone to wrinkles
It also has the property of wrinkling easily. If it is washed and dehydrated, the wrinkled marks will remain clearly, and if it is folded and stored, wrinkles will be formed. There are some clothes that look cool with wrinkles, but wrinkles on clean shirts and jackets can give a bad impression, so be careful.
Fabric gets softer with each wash
I’ve talked about the disadvantages of washing so far, but there are also advantages. The fabric gets softer and softer with every wash. Repeated washing gradually loosens the hard fibers, making the fabric soft to the touch and comfortable to the skin.
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How often should linen products be washed?
If there are many disadvantages to washing, you may think that less frequency is better. However, linen products are basically washed after each use. This is because linen easily absorbs sebum and dirt, so if the dirt is left alone, it tends to turn yellow. Hemp is a strong fiber that can be used for packing strings, so it can be washed frequently. Rather, the texture will improve with each wash, so if you know the tricks of washing and take care of it carefully, you can use it for a long time.
How to wash hemp products
Precautions before washing
If you understand the characteristics of hemp and wash it in a way that suits its characteristics, you can use it for a long time. First of all, I will tell you what to be careful before putting it in the washing machine.
Check the washing label
First, check the washing label. Linen is a strong material, so most of it can be washed using a washing machine. However, if it contains fibers such as wool that are weak against water, or if it has beads or other accessories attached to it, it may need to be hand-washed or dry-cleaned, so don’t forget to check.
Pre-wash dirt on collars and sleeves
Sebum stains such as collars and sleeves, and partial stains from food, etc. should be removed before washing. This is because linen has an absorbent property, and dirt can get stuck deep inside the fiber, so it may not be possible to remove the dirt with just a washing machine. If you don’t remove the dirt properly, it will also become the cause of yellowing. Pre-wash with detergent or soap that does not contain oxygen bleach or optical brightener before washing.
Wash dark products separately
Separate dark-colored items to prevent color transfer to other laundry. The risk of color fading is particularly high for newly purchased products. The color will gradually fade, but it is safer not to put it in the washing machine with other items.
Things to prepare
There are four things to prepare when washing hemp products:
- Neutral detergent (detergent for washing fashionable clothes)
- laundry net
- oxygen bleach
- Soap without optical brightener
Neutral detergent for fashionable clothes is best for washing linen products. Detergents containing fluorescent whitening agents are not recommended as they can easily damage the fabric. The bottom two are for pre-washing and are used as needed. To prevent damage to the fabric during pre-washing, it is a good idea to use soap that does not contain oxygen-based bleaching agents or fluorescent brighteners.
how to wash
After preparing the necessary items and pre-washing, put them in the washing machine and start washing. Here are 4 tips on how to wash your hands. There is no difficult process. Just adding a little extra to your usual washing method will make a difference in the finish.
Turn the clothes inside out and put them in the laundry net
First, turn the garment inside out. If you turn it inside out and wash it, the fabric will be less likely to be damaged and the color will be less likely to fade. A fine-meshed laundry net is recommended. It will further reduce the damage to the fabric.
Do not use hot water! wash with water
For washing, use cold or lukewarm water with a water temperature of 30°C or less. This is also to prevent damage and discoloration of the fabric. Also, the lower the water temperature, the less the fabric shrinks, and the stronger the fabric, the more durable it is.
Rinse thoroughly!
There are detergents that can be rinsed once, but when washing linen products, rinse twice. This is because hemp products with high adsorption properties may also adsorb detergents, leaving detergent scum on the fibers. Leftover detergent scum may turn yellow over time. Rinse thoroughly to remove dirt and detergent.
Short dehydration time or no dehydration
Wrinkles on clothes are caused by over-dehydration. You can prevent wrinkles by not dehydrating or drying with a little dehydration. When dehydrating, let’s stop in 30 seconds at the longest. If you dry without dehydration, the moisture remaining in the fabric will fall down by gravity. As the water falls from the top to the bottom, the wrinkles are stretched and become beautiful.
How to dry hemp products
There are some precautions to be taken when drying hemp products. Proper drying will greatly reduce the chance of wrinkling and fading. I’m going to talk about it in detail.
dry in half shade
The best place to dry is anti-shade if you hang it outside. Exposure to direct sunlight will damage the fabric and make it more prone to fading. Of course you can dry it indoors. Linen dries quickly, so you don’t have to hang it outside for a long time to dry.
Never tumble dry!
Avoid tumble drying. The tumbler drying uses strong warm air, so the fabric is easily damaged and there is a high possibility that it will shrink significantly.
Do not use clothespins
If you use clothespins, the place where you fastened will leave a solid mark. Dry without using clothespins as much as possible. If you really want to use it, I would like to stop it where the marks are not noticeable. It is also recommended to use a hanger that is thick on the shoulder, as it will not easily leave a mark.
What if I get wrinkled?
Even if you hold down the trick and wash and dry it, it may get wrinkled. If you are worried about wrinkles, you should iron it. The following three points are tips for smoothing out wrinkles.
- Set the iron to a high temperature
- iron when not dry
- Iron while moistened with a mist spray
If you apply heat to the wet fabric with a hot iron and stretch it out, the wrinkles will be removed.
How to store hemp products
f you wash it well and dry it well, you want to store it well, too. Store your clothes on thick hangers. Not only does it prevent wrinkles, but it also prevents it from losing its shape. Hemp is prone to insects, so use insect repellent when storing it. It’s also hygroscopic, so if you put a moisture-proof agent in it, you’ll be able to wear it cleanly the next season.
summary
Linen absorbs sweat well and dries quickly, making it the perfect material for summer. However, there are some delicate parts, so there are some things to be careful about when washing. However, the more you use it, the harder the fibers become, and the softer the texture, so if you take good care of it, you can wear it for a long time. Properly wash and dry your favorite linen clothing to make it last longer.