After years of searching, I finally found some good hemp fabric that is soft enough to use for hankies. These hankies are not quite as silky-soft as my bamboo hankies, and a little more earthy-feeling than the cotton. But after using them in our home for several months, we decided we really like them (my daughter even picks them out from the rest to hoard the hemp hankies in her room!). They do soften a little more after being washed several times. They feel more durable than the bamboo hankies, like they might last for decades! And they are extremely absorbent.
If you're not sure which hankies in my shop you would like best, I encourage you to try the hanky sampler pack.
The handkerchief is the age-old tool for combating sniffles and tears. Unfortunately, it has been largely replaced in modern times with paper tissues. It’s time to fire your box of Kleenex! Experience true comfort for your poor nose with these hemp hankies. They are so much better than their paper counterparts because they are soft, sturdy, and so much more absorbent. Their reusable nature makes them better for your budget and your planet. My little hankies are the perfect size to use once or twice. Stack clean hankies in a basket and toss used ones in the dirty clothes. These hankies are easy to wash, just toss them in with any load.
The Facts: Size: 7x7 inches (18x18 cm)
Quantity: 6, 12, or 24
Fabric: Two layers of 55% hemp/45% organic cotton jersey (t-shirt knit)
Color: natural
Thread color: natural (Custom sizes and thread colors are available, just send me a conversation.)
Now you can travel with your hankies! My hanky bags have pockets for stashing clean and dirty hankies separately. It is perfect to carry with you in your purse, diaper bag, backpack, or car. Hanky bags sold separately.
Washing instructions: Hemp is sturdy and able to be washed and dried in hot temperatures. The fabric has been pre-washed and pre-shrunk, but hemp and cotton may continue to shrink a tiny bit more. To avoid more shrinkage, you may want to wash in cool water and tumble-dry medium. Hemp fabric (like all natural plant fibers) will increase in absorbency after it has been washed 5-10 times to remove the natural oils. Small amounts of bleach may be used when necessary. Choose a scent-free detergent and avoid all fabric softeners and dryer sheets. These chemicals coat absorbent fibers and make your towels and wipes less absorbent. They also pollute the air in your home and neighborhood. Yuck!
Why Hemp? If you are not familiar with the hemp fiber, it is something you should read more about! Hemp is amazing for textiles as it is more absorbent and more durable than cotton. It also has anti-microbial properties which fight mildew and other germs. The industrial hemp plant is great for our planet as it produces more fiber per acre than cotton. It can also be grown without the pesticides that conventional cotton uses. Hemp has been used to make fabric for centuries. The first pair of Levi Jeans and the first American Flag sewn by Betsy Ross were both made from hemp! It was also used to make ropes and sails on ships since it could endure the harsh elements much better than cotton can.
The story behind my perfect little hankies: For most of my life, I was a great consumer of paper facial tissues. Any time I had a cold would involve a lot of nose blowing until I had used up every box in the house, forcing my mom to go out and buy more. Garbage cans were always overflowing with used tissues (eww!). As I started my own family, I decided to use cloth diapers on my children. This led to an interest in other reusable products for the home, like cloth napkins and handkerchiefs. I first bought men’s handkerchiefs and stacked them folded in a basket. I found that they were too large and too thin for my liking. I started cutting up jersey fabric (old t-shirts work well) and used those instead. I liked them because they were softer and more absorbent than the handkerchiefs, but my husband still complained that they were still too thin. I made them even thicker by sewing two layers of fabric together, and we pronounced it perfect! Now we don’t have to stock up on boxes of Kleenex, and we never run to the store in the middle of the night for more tissues when we all have colds. When our hanky supplies run low, we just toss another load in the wash.
All items are sewn and packaged by me in my smoke-free and pet-free home.
"These are amazing! I have a couple of "snifflers" at home and wanted something to reduce tissue use that was as soft and comfortable as they are... These go above and beyond! Very nicely made, and absorbent."
-Catrina Lynn on Etsy
"Love these! Great quality, soft, absorbent, and the perfect size. Will be buying more."
-Joan Cleary on Etsy
United States