A Guide to Hemp Materials

The hemp stalk gives two main materials. The outer bast fibre is long and strong. The woody core, called hurd or shiv, is light and absorbent. Most hemp products start from one or the other.

Fibre: fabric, rope and paper

Bast fibre is separated from the stalk, cleaned and spun. Pure hemp cloth feels a little like linen: crisp at first, softer with each wash. Blends with cotton, wool or recycled fibres soften faster and drape better.

• Good for: work trousers, canvas bags, towels, upholstery, rope and twine.
• Watch for: wrinkling, slow drying in thick weaves, and labels that say hemp when the fabric is mostly something else.
• Care: cool or warm wash, line dry, iron while damp if you want it smooth.

More detail: is hemp fabric durable?

Hurd: walls, insulation and bedding

Hurd mixed with a lime binder and water sets into hempcrete, a lightweight, breathable infill used around a structural frame. It is not load-bearing on its own. Hurd also makes absorbent animal bedding and garden mulch, and hemp fibre is pressed into insulation batts.

• Good for: wall infill, renovation of older breathable buildings, insulation.
• Watch for: long drying times, local building rules, and the need for a builder who knows the material.

Read what hempcrete is and how it is used.

Seed: oil and food

Hemp seed is pressed for oil used in paints, finishes and cooking, and the seed is eaten as a food. We touch on finishes here and leave nutrition to others.

Judging the eco claim

Hemp grows quickly and often needs fewer pesticides than many crops, but the full impact depends on farming, processing, dyeing and transport. A well-made item you keep for years usually beats a cheaper one you replace. Our note on hemp and water use explains why simple comparisons can mislead.

Hemp growing and processing rules vary by state and country.