Hemp clothing needs to be laundered, but not as often. Antimicrobial means it stays clean longer. But that doesn’t mean we treat it any old way.
The right way is easy, but please, do it right. Usually it is as simple as reading the care label. Here is the skinny for washing hemp:

#1) Wash cold with like colors. Simple enough. Most hemp clothing can go in the washer. (My line at Threads of Eden is designed to be machine-washable, and that is my ongoing promise to you.) Customer feedback confirms that hot water and dryer will shrink your garment. If you are counting on that inch or two, please follow care instructions!

#2) Fluff and hang (because it can shrink and wrinkle). Simply fluff 5-10 minutes in the dryer, and lay it flat (or hang) to dry. Or, you can skip the dryer completely and air dry. I like to use it to release any wrinkles from washing.

#3) Iron is fine, just use the setting indicated on your label. Steam is your friend. (Knit hemp garments like the Classic Shell do not need ironing. At least, I never do it except during production, and I wear these suckers every day.)

#4) Use the right detergent! This goes for any fiber, not just hemp. A few detergents (and non-detergents) that may damage your clothes are: dish detergent; undiluted can leave a faded spot. Other detergents include things that are not designed for clothes, or only specific garments. (If it doesn’t claim to be good for what you are washing, I cannot guarantee it is safe to use.)

#5) Another stain culprit is deoderant, and again, this is not just for hemp clothing. Watch those aerosoles! I love Native deoderant spray, but I make sure it goes on my skin, and dries, then the shirt goes on. Apply deoderant *with your shirt off* and you’ll be fine. Greasy deoderants can leave… grease stains.

#6) Don’t be scared of stains. Just spray and wash your cares away, like normal. Real like customer Anne W. from Minnesota says of the Classic Shell, “Actually, I have already put it to the test because my 2 year old son squeezed a very plump cooked blueberry right in front of me, and I ended up with blue-purple stains all over the front a couple days only after I got it. We were on our way out the door, so I didn’t have time to treat it immediately… and it wasn’t until the following night that I got around to it. But the stains came out completely! I was so thankful!”

#7) Maybe this should be #1), but really consider if it needs to be washed, or just aired. Customer Amy B. from Alaska says of the Classic Shell, “…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 have tested with good results a variety of detergents and DIY cleaners like vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, or plain hand soap. These are fine, especially if diluted with cold water. *Read the detergent claims to make sure it is for colored garments, etc. Obviously, we don’t put bleach on colored garments. Etc.

In short, use your common sense, read the labels, and laundry is easy. Especially when hemp stays clean for multiple wears!