About Hemp

More absorbent. Naturally antimicrobial. One of the most sustainable fibers on the planet. 

What Is Hemp Fabric?

Hemp is a natural plant fiber harvested from the stalks of the hemp plant. It is one of the oldest cultivated crops in human history and one of the strongest natural fibers known. When woven into fabric, hemp produces a dense, durable textile that is exceptionally absorbent and gets softer with every wash.

In cloth diapering, hemp is rarely used on its own. The raw fiber is stiff and absorbs moisture slowly, which makes it less practical as a standalone diaper fabric. But when blended with cotton, it becomes something special. Cotton absorbs moisture quickly. Hemp holds significantly more of it. The blend gives you the speed of cotton with the capacity of hemp, in a fabric that is softer, stronger, and more absorbent than either fiber alone.

That is why we offer a 55% hemp/45% organic cotton blend option on many of our products.

Why Hemp Matters for Cloth Diapers

Hemp's real advantage in a diaper is absorbency. A hemp and cotton blend can hold substantially more liquid than pure cotton, which means fewer leaks, longer wear between changes, and better overnight performance. The fiber also becomes more absorbent over time as it is washed, so your diapers actually improve with use rather than wearing out.

Beyond absorbency, hemp has natural properties that make it well suited for a product that sits against a baby's skin:

Naturally antimicrobial. Hemp fiber contains natural oils that resist the growth of mold, fungus, and bacteria. This means less odor between washes and a lower risk of the skin irritation that can come from bacterial buildup in a damp diaper.

Breathable. Like cotton and wool, hemp allows air to circulate through the fabric. It does not trap heat the way synthetic materials do, which helps keep your baby's skin dry and reduces the conditions where diaper rash develops.

Temperature regulating. Hemp keeps your baby cooler in warm weather and warmer in cool weather, similar to wool. This makes it a comfortable year-round diaper fabric.

Incredibly durable. Hemp is the strongest natural fiber available. It resists stretching, tearing, and pilling. A hemp blend diaper will hold its shape and performance through hundreds of wash cycles and often lasts through multiple children.

Biodegradable. When a hemp blend diaper finally reaches the end of its life, the natural fibers break down. Unlike synthetic cloth diapers made with polyester or microfiber, hemp does not leave behind microplastics.

Hemp vs. Cotton for Cloth Diapers

Many families keep both in their stash. Cotton for daytime when changes are frequent and you want a trim fit. Hemp blend for overnight, naps, and longer stretches when you need the diaper to hold more.

Our Hemp

Babee Greens offers a 55% hemp/45% organic cotton blend option on our Growing Greens One-Size Fitted Diaper, diaper contour doublers, and other products.

We chose this specific blend ratio because it provides the best balance of absorbency, softness, and performance. The hemp component delivers superior moisture capacity and natural antimicrobial protection. The organic cotton component provides quick absorption, immediate softness, and the skin-safe purity of a GOTS-certified fiber.

Our hemp fabric is imported, as hemp textile production does not currently exist at scale in the United States. The organic cotton in the blend is USA-grown and milled. The finished products are cut and sewn by hand in our workshop in Asheville, North Carolina.

Like all Babee Greens products, our hemp blend diapers are free from synthetic fibers, chemical dyes, bleach, and fabric softeners. We use 100% unbleached cotton thread, latex-free elastic, and CPSIA-compliant resin snaps. Nothing touches your baby's skin that we have not carefully considered.

Hemp as a Sustainable Crop

Hemp is one of the most environmentally responsible crops you can grow. A single hemp plant produces roughly three times as much usable fiber per acre as cotton, and a full crop reaches maturity in about 100 days.

Hemp requires no pesticides or herbicides. The plant has no significant insect predators, which means it can be grown without chemical intervention. Its deep root system prevents soil erosion, removes toxins from the ground, aerates the soil, and returns nitrogen to the earth, improving conditions for whatever crop follows in rotation.

Hemp also uses significantly less water than conventional cotton. In an industry where environmental impact matters, choosing hemp is one of the most straightforward ways to reduce your footprint.

When you choose a Babee Greens hemp blend product, you are choosing a fiber that is better for your baby's skin, better for the planet, and built to last long enough to make a real difference in both.

Feel the Difference

The most common feedback we hear from parents who try our hemp blend is that they wish they had started with it sooner. The extra absorbency transforms overnight diapering and gives parents confidence during long car rides, naps, and any situation where a diaper change is not immediately available.

Parents of heavy wetters especially notice the difference. If you have been dealing with leaks or waking up to wet sheets despite frequent changes, a hemp blend diaper with a hemp doubler is often the solution.

The fabric does feel slightly different from pure cotton out of the package. It is a bit firmer and has a more textured hand. Give it five or six washes and it softens considerably. By the tenth wash, most parents say it feels just as soft as cotton but noticeably more substantial.

Our Growing Greens One-Size Fitted Diaper is available in both 100% organic cotton and the hemp/organic cotton blend. Not sure which is right for you? Our starter kits are a great way to try the system, or contact us and we will help you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hemp safe against my baby's skin?

Yes. Hemp is a natural, hypoallergenic fiber with antimicrobial properties that help resist bacteria and fungal growth. Our hemp blend also includes organic cotton, so the fabric touching your baby's skin is a combination of two gentle, chemical-free natural fibers. Many parents find that hemp blend diapers cause less irritation than pure cotton or synthetic alternatives.

Why is the hemp blend diaper more expensive than the cotton version?

Hemp fiber costs more to produce and process than cotton. The raw material is more expensive, and the resulting fabric is denser, heavier, and more absorbent. The price difference reflects the material cost and the significantly higher performance you get in return, particularly for overnight use and heavy wetters. Many parents find the hemp blend pays for itself by eliminating leaks and extending the time between changes.

Does hemp take longer to dry?

Yes. The denser weave that gives hemp its superior absorbency also means it holds onto water longer during drying. Plan for a longer dryer cycle or additional line-drying time compared to pure cotton. Many parents find that separating doublers from diapers and drying them individually speeds up the process.

Do I need to prep hemp diapers differently?

Hemp requires the same prep as cotton: at least five washes in hot water before first use, with detergent in one of those cycles. However, hemp takes longer to reach its full absorbency potential. You may notice absorbency improving through the first 8 to 10 washes. Full instructions are on our how to wash cloth diapers page.

Should I choose cotton or hemp?

It depends on how you plan to use them. Cotton is softer from the start, dries faster, and fits trimmer under clothing, making it a great everyday daytime diaper. Hemp holds more liquid and lasts longer between changes, making it ideal for overnight, naps, and heavy wetters. Many families use both: cotton during the day and hemp at night.