Have you ever come home after a long day and been super relieved to take off your underwear? Or had to throw out a bra because it was falling apart after just a few months of use?
The fashion industry has been relying on synthetic fabrics because of how cheap they are to produce. But they trap heat and moisture down there and are treated with harmful chemicals that make them less-than-ideal to be close to our most intimate regions.
They are also difficult to recycle and don’t biodegrade in nature. Enter: hemp underwear. Here are a few reasons your next underwear purchase should be hemp:
Hemp is antimicrobial
If you want a fabric that you know is safe for your sensitive areas, look no further than hemp.
Hemp has naturally antimicrobial properties, which means nothing synthetic is added and you get an amazing benefit, au naturel.
There are some studies (inconclusive as of yet) that indicate hemp underwear can reduce the duration and occurrence of yeast infections. Sign us up, please!
Lots of companies have begun infusing silver into their underwear to make them antimicrobial, but there is evidence that this can be harmful when leached into the water supply.
Hemp is a super breathable fabric
Stand aside, cotton. Hemp is more breathable than cotton and can absorb more sweat while still feeling dry to the touch. This makes it a great option for the sporty among us who still want to feel fresh and dry while working out.
Polyester, which is a common underwear fabric, traps moisture, which increases the likelihood of yeast infections. Big no-no from the gyno for polyester. Big yes-yes for hemp.
Hemp is one of the most sustainable fabrics for clothing
The hemp plant doesn’t need pesticides or fertilisers to grow, meaning there is very little soil pollution. In fact, it regenerates the soil, so farmers can plant on the same area of land many times over. The same cannot be said for cotton.
It also grows densely which uses up less land, and isn’t a very thirsty plant. For 1kg of cotton, farmers use up to 20,000 litres of water. For 1kg of hemp, you only need 1,200 litres of water. Hemp grows really quickly - harvests are ready in about four months, which is also great for farmers who are cash-strapped.
Hemp can grow anywhere around the world in almost any climate. If hemp becomes more mainstream, the world can have many local hemp farms that supply hemp fabric without the carbon-intensive process of long distance shipping, with a bonus of creating jobs for local farmers.
Hemp also absorbs large amounts of CO2 in the growing process (more than traditional forests!), making it a carbon-negative fabric.
Hemp gets softer each time you wash it
Every time hemp is washed, it reveals new fibres, so it gets softer and more comfortable with each wash. We love this fabric for this reason alone - it actually gets better with time. Say goodbye to throwaway culture and say hello to hemp.
Hemp is one of the strongest fabrics on earth
Forget about flimsy and sagging underwear that loses its shape after a few washes. Hemp is the strongest natural plant fibre in the world - up to 5 times stronger than cotton and holds colour well. Your undies will be beautiful for years - guaranteed.
Lingerie and underwear is notoriously difficult to look after well, but you don’t need to give hemp fabric any special treatment for it to last years and still look and feel great.
There are so many more reasons why hemp is such an amazing fabric. At Magi, we make our underwear with a hemp and organic cotton blend, meaning you can rest easy knowing your privates are safe and the planet hasn’t been harmed in the process.