Environmental benefits of Bamboo Clothing

Bamboo fibre is a revolutionary fabric that provides unrivalled advantages such as strength, adaptability, and luscious softness. However, more improvement of the manufacturing process is required to justify the "green" claim for a green product.

Clean Air

Bamboo gives us clean air to breathe, uses carbon dioxide and because bamboo forests are so dense, it releases 30% more oxygen into the atmosphere than trees. Some types of bamboo bind up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide from the air per hectare.

Requires less energy and water

It takes much less energy to grow and care for bamboo than other similar trees and plants used for fibre production. Bamboo plantations require very little maintenance. Bamboo also requires very little water and can survive drought and flood conditions.

Can be grown without pesticides

Bamboo can be grown without pesticides and chemicals because of its own antibacterial agent.

Can be harvested sustainably

Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world and therefore a high-yield, renewable resource. It can be selectively harvested annually and is able to complete

100% biodegradable

Unlike synthetic fibres, which contain petroleum additives, bamboo clothing is safe for municipal waste management programs, either to landfill or by incineration.

Properties of clothing and textiles made from bamboo fibres

Bamboo fabric is used in a wide variety of clothing items such as shirts, dresses, socks, and pants and is ideal for active clothing because of its antimicrobial properties. Bamboo is often mixed with 30% cotton to add structure to the garments. Bamboo is also used for sheets and pillowcases because its soft fibre gives it a silky feel; Bamboo panels feel warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Other properties and advantages of bamboo fibres:

Reduced allergy

The naturally soft and organic fibre properties of bamboo do not irritate the skin and are therefore ideal for people with skin sensitivities or other allergies and dermatitis. However, some people can still experience chemical sensitivities depending on the manufacturing process used to make the fibre.

Breathable

The porous properties of the bamboo fibre explain its breathability; Clothing made from bamboo withstands the grip in hot weather or when exercising.

Thermoregulation

The nature of the bamboo fibre ensures that you are warm in winter and cool in summer. Bamboo clothing also has excellent absorbent properties, making it ideal for warm summer days.

Antibacterial

Bamboo fabric contains a natural antimicrobial agent, Kun, that prevents bacteria from growing on it, which means it stays odor-free.

UV protection

Bamboo naturally provides additional protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.

Due to its antibacterial and UV-resistant properties, bamboo fibre clothing is particularly suitable for performance and movement.

Absorbs moisture

A bamboo fibre cross-section shows several micro-holes that allow the bamboo fabric excellent absorption. This allows the bamboo fabric to quickly absorb and evaporate human sweat. Bamboo fibres are four times more absorbent than cotton.

Textile development

Several different garment manufacturing processes can be used to convert plant bamboo into fabric, with different environmental costs. Mechanical methods of breaking bamboo into pulp are the least harmful, but also the most expensive. Chemical processes are more common and can pose a hazard to workers in processing plants and the immediate vicinity of processing plants.

Chemical processes that cause environmental concerns focus on the use of solvents that "cook" bamboo leaves and stems in a solution from which the fibres are extracted. A common process called "alkalinization by hydrolysis with multi-stage bleaching" is not considered sustainable or environmentally friendly.

Don't be fooled by false claims

The soft "bamboo" fabrics available on the market today that are made with harsh solvents are actually viscose. Also, there is no evidence that bamboo rayon retains the antimicrobial properties of the bamboo plant, as claimed by some vendors and bamboo clothing manufacturer. Even if bamboo is the "plant source" from which rayon is made, no traces of the original plant remain in the finished product.

As the market attractiveness for bamboo clothing grows, manufacturers are working to process bamboo fibres using certifiable and environmentally friendly methods. These newer processes include closed-loop systems like the lyocell process used in making Tencel and so on. 

Textile and clothing care made from bamboo

In general, bamboo fibre clothing can be machine washed in cold water with a mild soap on a gentle cycle. Manufacturers often advise against using fabric softeners or bleach. Although bamboo fabrics have minimal shrinkage, it is best if the clothes can be hung up to dry. (Bamboo clothing dries faster than most other fabrics.) Since bamboo clothing is naturally crease-resistant, ironing is not always necessary.

Since bamboo fibres for various textiles are often mixed with other fibres (e.g. cotton, lycra, elastane, polyester), it is essential to follow the clothing manufacturers guidelines for recommended cleaning methods.