Yes, hemp is antimicrobial and low-maintenance. No, that doesn’t mean you can treat it however you want. The care is simple and absolutely worth doing correctly. Here’s what matters:

#1) Wash cold with like colors.
Hot water will shrink hemp, and a full dryer cycle will shrink it even faster. If you’re counting on your shirt keeping its length and sleeve fit, follow the care label.

#2) Fluff briefly, then line dry.
This is the most important update: hemp does best when you keep it out of the dryer. A 5–10 minute fluff is fine to relax wrinkles, but after that it needs to hang or lay flat. A full dryer cycle will cost you length—hemp tightens the way linen does, and heat locks it in.
If you want consistent fit, line drying is the safest method.

#3) Iron is fine.
Use the setting on your label and rely on steam. Knit hemp rarely needs ironing; I only do it in production, and I wear my own pieces daily.

#4) Use the right detergent.
This applies to every fiber, not just hemp. Dish detergents can leave faded spots, and many specialty cleaners aren’t meant for clothing at all. If the product doesn’t clearly say it’s for garments, I wouldn’t trust it. And never use liquid bleach.

#5) Stains & deodorant: what to know.
Hemp is a high-performing fiber—low-input, sustainable, durable, and it takes dye beautifully. That rich color comes from excellent dye uptake, and the flip side is that it can grab certain stains just as well.

The basics:

• Deodorant first, shirt second. Aerosols and heavy cream formulas can leave residue or oil marks on natural fibers. Make sure it’s fully on your skin and fully dry before the shirt goes on.

• Wear an apron. The same quality that makes hemp hold deep, even color makes it eager to absorb kitchen splatter, coffee drips, and turmeric streaks. An apron stops the problem before it starts—something our grandmothers were right about.

• Treat stains promptly. I keep a Tide pen on hand, but use whatever stain remover you trust. If you have a trick or product you swear by, send it to me—I’m a laundry nerd and I want to hear it.

Bottom line: prevention is easiest, but if a stain happens, quick action takes care of it.

#6) Decide if it even needs a wash.
Hemp is antimicrobial, so it often just needs a night of fresh air instead of a full wash. As customer Amy B. of Alaska put it:

“…I really do love the ability to just ‘air it out’ overnight without having to worry about tossing it in the wash. I do way too much laundry as it is! Plus, I hate that synthetic fabrics are getting harder to keep clean and don’t biodegrade, so this is a great opportunity to wear something I don’t have to feel conflicted about when trying to do better for our family and our world.”

I’ve also tested a range of detergents and DIY cleaners—vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, plain hand soap—with good results when diluted with cold water. Just confirm your product is safe for colored garments, and again: no bleach on colors.

In short: read the labels, use common sense, protect your garments from heat, and you’ll get long, reliable wear. Hemp stays fresh longer than most fabrics, and caring for it isn’t complicated—it’s just intentional.