A question that gets asked a lot: "Is Hemp itchy?" Maybe it’s because Hemp fibre has 8X the tensile strength of cotton and people assume that stronger means itchy? Maybe because Hemp was traditionally used for rope, sails and paper (not the snuggliest of subjects) itchy imagery overtakes? Perhaps it’s just because Hemp clothing has a reputation for being a bit course?

True, Hemp fibre is long and strong, so it can come across as coarse if not dealt with right, but stopping Hemp being seen (and felt) as itchy was one of the most common misconceptions Rood was keen to correct. So unless you own a Rood Product and know already, here we go...

To stop Hemp being itchy we first had to get a good idea of what 'soft' was. Market research showed us these popular answers. Not all of them practical. Bunny Rabbits (best not worn). Feathers (can tickle). Cashmere (hard to goat a heard of). Clouds (more an image than a feeling). Teddy bears (we're working on a Hemp one).

With the idea of ‘soft’ established, how did we find a Hemp that’s not only not itchy, but as soft on your skin as it is on mother nature? We teamed up with international scientists and experts who told us about enzyme washing. This is a process that gives Hemp a softer feel by breaking down the cellulose molecules. Cellulose is a type of sugar that makes up the walls of Hemp cells and can cause it to feel stiff. Enzymes are biodegradable, environmentally friendly and do not require any additional detergents to wash with. What a wonderful kind of wash!

So next time someone asks you if Hemp is itchy, why not pull out your Rood T-Shirt and show them otherwise!