Is Bamboo Clothing Environmentally Friendly?

Right now there is a big increase in the popularity of bamboo clothing but is it really environmentally friendly. In this article we discuss the many benefits and some disadvantages of bamboo clothing.

Sustainability of Bamboo Products

Bamboo is one of the most prodigious plant species.

It is highly temperature tolerant and grows profusely once its roots develop.

Bamboo has become the new “go to” eco friendly source for a broad range of products.

It is important to know the natural properties of bamboo that make it so ideally sustainable and worthwhile as a substitute for synthetic fabrics and textiles.

The first and most important property of bamboo is that it reduces the amount of disposables that cause pollution.

Bamboo promotes eco friendly sustainability.

Today, thousands of products are made from bamboo such as furniture, children’s toys, skateboards, kitchen spoons and ladles and it is sturdy enough to use for floor boards, flooring, decking, poles, moulding and bamboo clothing.

Bamboo products are now making there way into our everyday lives given the work done my major governments including the UK around classification of textile clothing for importation and exportation.

Given what we know today it’s easy to imagine that switching from plastics to sustainable bamboo will have a positive impact on the environment.

Bamboo Fabric Facts

Bamboo is so resourceful for use in the garment industry that many top fashion designers are already adding bamboo fabrics to their designer collections.

The basic bamboo fabric facts that prove bamboo clothing is environmentally friendly include bamboo fabrics are biodegradable, anti microbial, adapts to body temperature and wicks away moisture and perspiration. It is also colour fast and hypoallergenic.

Note that in order for bamboo fabrics to be eco friendly, it is important to read the labels on these fabrics.

Bamboo fabrics made from bamboo fibre should be processed without chemical dyes and in a natural biodegradable, organic solution.

How is Bamboo Fabric Made?

Bamboo fabric is made through a viscose process in which the inner pith, bamboo leaves and bamboo trunk are used to extract cellulose.

This is the known as the extraction process.

Next is the soaking process where crushed bamboo fibres soak in a natural, biodegradable organic solution to break bamboo fibres down into a pulp-like, viscose substance.

The third step in how bamboo is made is washing these fibres and spinning them into yarn that will be woven into fabric for clothing.

Bamboo Fabric Benefits

It can be said that bamboo fabrics have many advantageous personal and global benefits.

For individuals, choosing bamboo fabrics shows a personal sense of environmental responsibility for sustaining the earth’s natural resources.

The global benefits of bamboo fabrics are that air, water and soil are not compromised by increasing levels of toxic textiles and processing chemicals that contribute to increased illness and unsustainable pollution.

An added benefit is less fabric care and maintenance.

For instance, bamboo clothing can be laundered in cold water and dried in the clothes dryer on a cool temperature setting.

This is a bonus in the reduction of energy and water use.

This reduces energy by decreasing the use of hot water and fuels that supply heated water such as electricity, natural gas or oil.

Thus bamboo fabric is also cost-effective since consumers pay less in energy and maintenance costs and, since it grows in abundance, it is also cost-effective for clothing manufacturers and retailers.

Disadvantages of Bamboo Fabric

Bamboo fabrics tend to wrinkle easily and has a higher level of shrinkage than cotton and other synthetic fabrics.

Since bamboo should be laundered in cold water and dried in a cool temperature, this may be considered a disadvantage for certain individuals.

Also, special laundering instructions include not laundering bamboo fabrics with bleach.

These fabrics should be laundered with a mild detergent.

Is Bamboo Clothing Really Any Good?

The question, Is bamboo clothing environmentally friendly is easy to answer given that bamboo is a natural, organic plant found in nature.

Most buyers of clothing for adults and children want to know is bamboo clothing is as good as clothes made from other materials.

Our research of the top product review sites shows that in review after review, customers love the idea that bamboo clothing is long wearing and holds shape and fit after many washes.

Other customer reviews give bamboo clothing high marks for its anti bacterial qualities that are appreciated by those with sensitive skin.

As to fit, many custom reviews claimed tops, socks, leggings and sweatpants

“fit perfectly.”

Of all product review sites that provided customer reviews on bamboo clothing, the one comment from nearly all customers who purchased bamboo apparel, the most frequent claim was that bamboo clothing has a

“comfortable, super soft, warm and cosy feel to the fabric”

Conclusion

The overall evaluation of bamboo clothing features to keep in mind include:

• Environmentally friendly
• Cost-effective for individuals, manufacturers and retailers
• Offers great comfort and fit
• Low clothing maintenance and care
• Energy efficient
• Energy savings

With all of these advantageous features, it is easy to understand the current trend in the UK toward the growth of the bamboo clothing industry.

Bamboo clothing is definitely here to stay.