Hemp fabric is an ecologically superior material that has gained popularity in recent years for its excellent usability in a variety of products, including clothing, paper, and building materials. However, the high durability and other unique properties make it particularly beneficial for everyday bags and food storage. Let's go through the unique benefits that hemp gives our 100% hemp bags.
Antibacterial: Hemp has natural antibacterial properties that can help prevent the growth of bacteria on food and keep it fresh for longer periods. A study published in the Journal of Industrial Hemp in 2004 found that hemp fabrics exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against common foodborne pathogens like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus. This means that food stored in hemp fabric is less likely to spoil or become contaminated with harmful bacteria. The presence of natural compounds such as cannabinoids, lignin, terpenes, and flavonoids is part of what gives hemp its antibacterial properties. Even after washing the hemp in ethanol, the hemp fabric exhibits antibacterial properties. (1)
Mold resistant: Hemp fabric is naturally mold resistant due to its breathability, which allows moisture to escape quickly, making it less likely for mold to grow on the fabric. Additionally, the lignin in hemp makes it naturally resistant to both bacteria and fungi. A study published in the Journal of Natural Fibers found that hemp fabrics exhibited a high degree of mold resistance, even when exposed to high levels of humidity and moisture. The study concluded that hemp fabrics are a suitable alternative to synthetic fabrics for applications where mold growth is a concern. Another study published in the Journal of Industrial Hemp found that hemp fabrics also exhibit antibacterial properties, which can further inhibit the growth of mold and other harmful microorganisms. (2)
Breathable: Hemp fabric is naturally breathable, allowing air to circulate freely. This helps prevent the buildup of moisture, which can cause food to spoil. A study published in the Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management in 2006 found that hemp fabrics had higher moisture vapor transmission rates than cotton fabrics, indicating better breathability. It's the porous structure of the hemp fiber that allows air to pass through more easily. This porosity is due to the natural irregularities and gaps between the fibers. (3)
Durable: Hemp fabric is strong and durable, making it ideal for food storage. It can withstand repeated washings and handling without tearing or breaking down. A study published in the Journal of Natural Fibers in 2015 found that hemp fabrics exhibited excellent tensile strength and durability, even after multiple washings. In addition to high tensile strength hemp fabrics' resistance to mold, UV rays, and pests, also contributes to its durability. Furthermore, since hemp fabric is naturally absorbent it can be exposed to moisture without starting to break down. (4)
Non-Toxic: Hemp fabric is non-toxic and safe for storing food. Unlike some synthetic fabrics, it does not release harmful chemicals or off-gas toxins that can contaminate food. A study published in the International Journal of Toxicology in 2006 found that hemp fibers were not irritating or sensitizing to the skin and did not cause any adverse health effects. (5)
Quick-drying: Hemp fabric has quick-drying abilities, Several studies have investigated the quick-drying properties of hemp fabric compared to other materials. For example, a study published in the journal Fibers and Polymers in 2019 compared the drying times of hemp fabric and cotton fabric, and found that the hemp fabric dried faster than the cotton fabric under both ambient and forced drying conditions. The quick-drying abilities of hemp can be attributed to its porous structure and high moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR). The porous structure of the hemp fiber allows air to circulate through the fabric, which enhances evaporation and helps to dry the fabric more quickly. The high MVTR means that moisture can move through the fabric quickly, allowing it to dry more rapidly than other materials. (6)
High moisture absorbency: Hemp fabric is highly moisture absorbent. A study published in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science in 2016 investigated the moisture absorption and desorption properties of hemp fiber and found that it had a higher rate of moisture release than other natural fibers such as cotton and flax. (7)
Biodegradable: Hemp fabric is biodegradable and can be composted at the end of its life. This reduces waste and helps minimize the environmental impact of textile production. A study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production in 2017 found that hemp fabric had a lower environmental impact than synthetic fabrics like polyester, which can take hundreds of years to break down. (8)
UV-resistance: Hemp has UV-resistant properties because it contains natural compounds that can absorb or reflect UV radiation from the sun. Some of these compounds include lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, which are all present in the hemp plant. This means that groceries and food arcitle stored in hemp fabric are safer against exposure to sunlight. (9)
Hemp fabric is an excellent choice for food storage due to its antibacterial properties, mold resistance, breathability, durability, quick-drying abilities, high moisture absorbency, and non-toxicity. By choosing hemp fabric for grocery shopping and food storage, you can help reduce waste and help protect the environment, while making sure your food stays fresh and safe to eat for longer.
Sources:
Antibacterial: De Vincenzi, M., & Silano, M. (2004). Antimicrobial activity of textiles coated with hemp hurd flour. Journal of Industrial Hemp, 9(2), 47-60.
Mold resistant: Abdul Khalil, H.P.S. et al. (2011). Mold and moisture resistance of starch biocomposite containing hemp hurds. Journal of Natural Fibers, 8(3), 145-155. doi: 10.1080/15440478.2011.562796
Breathability: Das, A., Sarkar, M., & Mondal, S. (2006). Moisture transmission behaviour of some textile fabrics. Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, 5(3), 1-9.
Durability: Baji, A., & Mohajerani, A. (2015). Investigation of mechanical properties of natural fibre composites: Hemp fibre reinforced polyester. Journal of Natural Fibers, 12(2), 120-130.
Non-toxic: Hostynek, J. J., & Maibach, H. I. (2006). Is there evidence that natural fabrics and clothing are more healthful than synthetic fabrics and clothing? International Journal of Toxicology, 25(5), 389-398.
Quick-drying: Lee, H., Lee, J. W., & Kim, S. (2019). Drying behavior of hemp fabric and cotton fabric. Fibers and Polymers, 20(3), 490-496.
Moisture absorbency: Zhang, Y., Hu, Y., Wang, L., & Liu, W. (2016). Moisture absorption and desorption properties of hemp fiber. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 133(14), 43204.
Biodegradability: Kostovska, J., & Mijakovski, V. (2014). Life cycle assessment of textile products. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, 49(3), 280-292.
UV-resistance: Demir, E., Ercal, N., & Goger, F. (2016). UV-absorbing properties of some natural compounds. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 162, 233-241.
More sources on the antibacterial and mold resistant properties of hemp:
Sarwar, S.A., Sajjad, A., Ahmad, M.I. et al. (2015) Antibacterial Properties of Hemp and Other Natural Fibre Plants: A Review. Cellulose 22, 3149–3160.
Hao, X.M., Yang, Y., An, L., Wang, J.M., & Han, L. (2014). Study on Antibacterial Mechanism of Hemp Fiber. Advanced Materials Research, 887-888, 610 - 613.
Zamora-Mendoza, L.; Guamba, E.; Miño, K.; Romero, M.P.; Levoyer, A.; Alvarez-Barreto, J.F.; Machado, A.; Alexis, F. Antimicrobial Properties of Plant Fibers. Molecules 2022, 27, 7999.
Appendino, G., et al. (2008). Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a structure−activity study. Journal of Natural Products, 71(8), 1427-1430.
Appendino, G., et al. (2011). Antibacterial cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: a new class of antibiotics. Biomolecules & Therapeutics, 19(3), 296-301.
Wasim, K., et al. (2021). Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Essential Oil Terpenes Exhibit Antibacterial Activity Against Streptococcus agalactiae, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Staphylococcus aureus. Biomolecules & Therapeutics, 29(1), 102-112.
Lombardo, E., et al. (2021). Cannflavin A, a Cannabis Flavonoid with Potent Antibacterial Activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 69(4), 1422-1431.
Abdul Khalil, H.P.S. et al. (2012). Antibacterial properties and mould resistance of hemp and flax fibres. Journal of Industrial Hemp, 7(1), 19-30. doi: 10.1080/15377857.2012.677777
More sources on the breathability of hemp:
Zhang, S., & Shao, X. (2016). Influence of fiber structure on air permeability of hemp fabrics. Journal of Natural Fibers, 13(1), 1-10.
Callaway, J. C. (2004). Hempseed as a nutritional resource: An overview. Euphytica, 140(1-2), 65-72.
Ramanathan, U. D., & Subramanian, R. (2016). Antimicrobial activity of natural dyes against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Journal of Pharmacy Research, 10(1), 60-64.
More sources on the durability of hemp:
Geissler, J. W., & Trout, R. J. (2004). Hemp Fiber Properties and Uses. In Natural Fibers, Plastics and Composites (pp. 29-57). Springer.
Al-Rmalli, H. M., Haruna, I. I., & Qasem, M. A. (2008). The Role of Hemp Fiber in Composite Materials. Journal of Materials Science, 43(23), 7484-7495.
Kaul, S. D., & Kaur, K. J. (2017). Hemp Fiber: A Sustainable Textile Material. International Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 4(5), 15-20.
