Why We Love Hemp: The Most Sustainable Fabric in Your Nappy Drawer

Choosing cloth nappies means thinking carefully about two things: what sits against your baby’s skin, and what does the hard work on absorbency but the benefits of hemp cloth nappies is crazy good. Bamboo and organic cotton get plenty of well-deserved attention in conversations about reusable nappies, but hemp is quietly earning a reputation as one of the best natural fabrics you can choose. It is tough, highly absorbent, remarkably sustainable and surprisingly gentle on delicate skin. For eco-conscious Australian parents who want a nappy that performs as hard as it works for the planet, hemp deserves a serious look.

Here is what makes hemp such an impressive choice, from the paddock to the change table.

How is hemp grown and why is it better for the environment?

Hemp’s environmental story starts long before it ever becomes fabric. It grows in almost any conditions, needs next to no chemical help, and goes from seed to harvest-ready in about 100 days. That’s fast. It’s one of the most renewable fibres available to anyone making fabric today.

One hemp plant also produces around three times the usable fibre per acre that cotton does. That efficiency matters more than people realise — it means we get more fabric out of less land, with a lot less pressure on the soil growing it.

Hemp has no known insect predators either, so it can be grown without herbicides, fungicides or pesticides. For a fabric that’s going to sit against your baby’s skin for hours at a time, that’s a genuinely big deal.

And here’s the bit I love most: hemp actually improves the soil it grows in. Its deep root system controls erosion, pulls toxins out of the ground, gives the soil a disease break before the next crop, and aerates it as it grows. It even replenishes nitrogen and nutrients along the way. So the paddock is often in better shape after a hemp crop than before it.

Fast growing, low chemical input, and it leaves the land better than it found it — from a sustainability standpoint, hemp is genuinely hard to beat.

Why is hemp blended with organic cotton?

Hemp is impressive on its own, but the real magic happens when it’s blended with organic cotton — and it comes down to how the two fibres behave once they’re wet.

Hemp holds more moisture than cotton overall, but it takes its time absorbing it. Organic cotton is the opposite — quick to grab moisture at the surface. Put the two together in a fitted nappy, insert or booster, and you get the best of both: cotton catches the wetness fast at the surface, while hemp is quietly storing a much bigger volume further into the fabric. Less pooling against your baby’s skin, and a nappy that keeps performing for hours.

That’s exactly why hemp is such a go-to for  our cloth nappies and boosters for heavy wetters. A well-fitted hemp nappy can genuinely go up to 8-10 hours, (sometimes the switch to night nappies is needed is their output is more than the hemp fitted) which makes it a great option for medium wetters, or day time heavy wetters. (Remember to add your waterproof cover over the top).

If you already love your current nappy system but need more capacity, adding a hemp booster is the easiest upgrade — no need to overhaul your whole routine.

One more thing worth knowing: because hemp holds moisture in the fabric itself rather than locking it away in synthetic gels (like most disposables do), your child can actually feel when they’re wet. That awareness genuinely helps down the track when you get to toilet training — it’s one of the quieter benefits of natural fibres that doesn’t get talked about enough.

Is hemp good for baby’s skin?

Performance is one thing, but comfort matters just as much when a fabric is sitting against delicate skin day and night. Hemp does really well here too — and not just because it’s grown without chemical pesticides.

Hemp fibre breathes naturally, which helps air circulate around the skin and keeps nappy rash at bay. It also carries natural anti-fungal and antibacterial properties, so it helps keep moisture and odour in check on its own — which matters a lot in a nappy, where warmth and wet fabric can otherwise turn into the perfect storm for irritation.

For bubs who already deal with sensitive or reactive skin, every layer counts. A fabric that breathes, resists bacteria naturally, and skips the chemical residue gives you one less thing to worry about.

If you’re wondering whether hemp feels rough against skin — it can, at first. A brand new hemp insert or nappy will feel firmer than a synthetic fabric straight out of the packet. But like a good pair of jeans, it softens properly with every wash, while holding onto its strength and absorbency the whole time. Most parents tell us their hemp nappies just keep getting better the longer they’re in the stash.

How does hemp compare to other natural fibres?

Hemp gets compared to cotton a lot, so it’s worth putting them side by side. Both are natural, breathable and plant-based, but they behave quite differently once they’re wet.

Hemp has also come up in research into natural nappy materials, often alongside kenaf (another plant fibre). Studies into baby nappy development keep pointing to the same things cloth nappy users have known for years — softness, absorbency, breathability, and natural antibacterial properties. Plant fibres really do the job beautifully.

Hemp’s bast fibres are also some of the longest natural soft fibres out there — longer, stronger, more absorbent and more mildew-resistant than a lot of alternatives. That’s exactly why hemp boosters and fitted nappies hold up so well to the constant wash-dry-soak cycle that comes with cloth nappying.

Bamboo is another favourite around here, and it brings its own strengths to the table too. If you’re weighing up the two, we’ve gone through bamboo versus hemp fitted nappies in more detail to help you land on the right one for your bub. Or just try both in the Fitted Nappy Pack to kick start your decision. 

We’ve been doing this for more than 22 years now, and hemp is one of those fabrics I keep coming back to. In fact, it was the original fabric we ever used in our best cloth nappies. It’s sustainable to grow, surprisingly gentle once it’s had a few washes, and tough enough to handle everything a busy household throws at it.

Whether you build your whole stash around it or just add a couple of boosters for overnight and heavy wetting, hemp earns its spot in the nappy drawer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hemp more absorbent than cotton?

Yes. Hemp absorbs more moisture than cotton overall, which gives it outstanding capacity for cloth nappies. It does absorb more slowly, so hemp is at its best when paired with a quicker layer such as organic cotton, or when used in night nappies and boosters where long-lasting absorbency is the priority.

How long can a hemp nappy last overnight?

Because hemp is so absorbent, a well-fitted hemp nappy can last up to 12 hours. That makes it an excellent choice for medium wetters and for families who want to avoid middle-of-the-night changes. The slow, steady absorption helps hold moisture away from the skin through long stretches of sleep.

Do hemp nappies soften over time?

Yes. Natural fibres like hemp soften with repeated washing and general wear. A new hemp insert can feel firmer than synthetic options, but after a few washes it becomes much more supple against your baby’s skin. Hemp keeps its strength, durability and absorbency as it softens, which is why many parents say hemp nappies get better with age. You can soften them by using SOFT 2 in 1 Detergent or popping them in the dryer with Wool Dryer Balls to keep them fluffy. But honestly, they soften against the skin anyway.

Why is hemp blended with organic cotton?

Hemp is highly absorbent but takes up moisture slowly, while organic cotton absorbs more quickly. Blending the two gives parents fast surface wetness control alongside a large overall capacity. That is why hemp and organic cotton are such a popular pairing in fitted nappies and boosters, particularly for heavy wetters and overnight use.