Toxic shower curtain warning

By Geoffrey Lean, Environment Editor

We hope that the introduction of our purely hemp range of stylish hemp products, such as our biodegradable hemp shower curtains, hemp mix and match homewares, including curtain panels, tablecloths, runners, napkins and cushion covers plus hemp baby throws/blankets and unisex hemp bags will help form this bridge between awareness and the chance to buy alternatives that are not only more sustainable but actually perform well and look great too. We also offer a growing range of hemp fabrics by the metre in our own attractive, contemporary colours.

We are proud to announce that our hemp shower curtains and hemp curtain panels are being used by Woking Borough Council at their Oak Tree House, a showcase for the Woking Low Carbon Homes Initiative, renovating an existing property to the highest sustainable standards. The house is open for education purposes, and public display, after which it will be donated to a family at the top of the council's waiting list. It is envisaged as a model for future new house-build programmes across the UK.

We are also pleased to have supplied our DOC25H6 hemp fabric and cushion covers to the UK Green Building Council, which they have used for their furniture as seen at Eco-build 2010, Earls Court. Our hemp canvas is also being used for various other applications such as sun shades, beanbags, dog cushions, as well as for exhibition stands and banners.

More Information

Hemp is one of the most eco friendly fabrics available. Unlike cotton, the plant needs little help to thrive and has a relatively short growth cycle, as well as needing less water to grow. In fact it is a weed-like grass, growing so prolifically and tightly spaced that it has no use for herbicides as it outgrows other weeds. It is naturally resistant to most pests, so there is also no need for pesticides. With its deep root system it grows without negatively affecting the soil and can therefore be grown consecutively for several years. In fact, growing hemp adds more than it takes out of the land, unlike cotton which depletes the soil of its nutrients. There is no wonder that hemp has been grown for centuries, it’s just somewhat surprising that its production ever declined.

With a little bit of research you will find that hemp can be dated back to 8000 BC, where the fabric was discovered in a tomb in Mesopotamia. Hemp paper can be dated back to 770 AD in China. In more recent times, Columbus used hemp on his ships and the first Levis were made from hemp denim. Hemp also makes a good building material. A restoration and conservation specialist says that lining walls with a hemp/lime mixture makes for a healthy house that doesn’t grow toxic mould, while a report on a social housing project in Suffolk concluded that hemp houses use less energy to build, create less waste and take less fuel to heat, though they do cost 10% more to build than conventional brick and block houses*. The benefits continue. Hemp seeds are highly nutritious while its oil is highly moisturizing for the skin.

Hemp was once the crop of choice in America before it became confused with its rather more narcotic cousin, and was banned. However, containing only a trace of THC (the illegal part), smoking it would not even bring a smile to your face. Jefferson and Washington were both hemp farmers. The Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution were written on hemp paper. Americans were told to “grow hemp for victory” during World War II as its benefits were well known and much needed at that time.

Sadly however, this was before hemp finally lost its battle against the propaganda of less worthy adversaries, the same chemicals and cotton crops that now blight their, and our, lands. Many Americans are campaigning against this unjust ban as they recognise the huge benefit that this crop could bring back to their Country.

Hemp fabric is very strong and durable and is known to be naturally resistant to mould and bacteria. The word canvas actually used to relate only to hemp. It blocks UV rays more effectively than other fabrics, is very absorbent and, with its insulative qualities, keeps you cool when its hot and warm when its cool. It also allows the skin to breathe. Hemp has been grown for centuries in China as a sustainable and most efficient crop, it is also grown in Romania. We are keen to support both of these Countries, as they have vast experience, gained over very many years, in growing and producing quality hemp fabric and where many of the general population still need to be accommodated with work. If such a resourceful, eco-friendly crop and products can be encouraged, it offers us all a good alternative to less sustainable industries for the benefit of the environment, consumers and of course, the inhabitants.

Our contemporary hemp range shows the versatility and elegance of hemp fabric. We currently use a stylish and flowing, ‘linen style’ hemp fabric for our mix and match homeware and interiors range and for the baby throws, whilst using a denser weave for our hemp shower curtains, which absorb the water, stopping it from spraying through. Our great hemp bags are made from a hemp canvas, which we also sell by the metre, along with other hemp fabrics in many great colours. We are continuously designing more fabrics to add to our range, with great colours for increased choice. See our new reusable shopping bags as an eco-friendly, stylish alternative to the plastic throwaway and our unisex courier style bags, around town and satchel style bags for their vibrant yet practical design.

Thank you for your interest in hemp and our purely hemp collection. Please do contact us for further retail or trade enquiries. 

Resources

**Natural Life Magazine March/April 2006 - Hemp For Houses by Rolf B. Priesnitz

*The Independent, July 2008 - Geoffrey Lean, Environment Editor.

Hemp Fabric Care