Bamboo - Not Just for Pandas Anymore
- Bamboo fabric is as beautiful and versatile as the plant itself.
According to a recent Global Market Insite, Inc.(GMI) poll, 90% of Americans are concerned about the environment. So perhaps it’s not a coincidence that the latest high-tech fiber to hit American retail outlets also happens to score well on the sustainability scale.
Naturally Sustainable…
Bamboo is a family of grasses native to China and other parts of Asia. The bamboo species used to create textiles is Phyllostachys heterocycla pubescens or Moso bamboo. It is a fast-growing perennial, which means it does not require the erosion-causing tillage used for many fiber crops. It needs no chemical pesticides or fertilizers, and little to no irrigation (good news for water table quality.)
Bamboo is also valuable as a carbon sink. A field of bamboo absorbs up to 30% more of the greenhouse gas than an equivalent stand of trees. It pumps out far more oxygen, too, and could become an important tool in the fight against global warming.
…and Luxurious, Too!
Its benefits don’t stop there. Bamboo has natural antimicrobial properties, which remain in the fabric even after repeated washings. Unlike cotton, it is naturally wrinkle-resistant and does not require chemical anti-wrinkle treatments such as formaldehyde. It is breathable and cool in summer, a good winter insulator, highly water absorbent with good wicking properties, easy on sensitive skin, and produces less lint than cotton. Bamboo fabric is exceptionally soft with a nice drape and can be made to resemble silk.
So what’s the catch?
Well, you can make bamboo textile mechanically in a process similar to traditional hemp production, but more often it’s produced (like rayon) with the aid of harsh chemicals such as sodium hydroxide. Look for bamboo fabric produced with a “closed-loop” system, where the chemicals are retained for reuse rather than being released as waste. And it’s also a good idea to purchase textiles approved by Oeko-Tex, Soil Association, SKAL, KRAV or a similar organic or sustainable certification organization.
If you’re looking for bamboo fabric for sewing or crafts, check out the Bamboo Fabric Store They offer 100% bamboo and bamboo blend fabric (samples, too!) as well as stuffing, quilt batting and socks.
Look for more on bamboo clothing in future posts!
