Bamboo FabricWhat is Bamboo Viscose or Bamboo Rayon fabric?
- A virtually cushion soft fabric that feels marvellous next to the skin.
- Bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial and resistant to mould.
- It is thermal-regulating (2 - 3 degrees cooler in hot weather & warmer in cold).
- It has natural moisture wicking properties and absorbs water 3 - 4 times better than cotton.
- It is antibacterial, anti-fungal and antistatic.
Shop here for a wide selection of bamboo products.
How is viscose from bamboo fabric made?
Rayon is a manufactured regenerated cellulose fiber. It is produced from naturally occurring polymers, it is neither a truly synthetic fiber nor a natural fiber; it is a semi-synthetic or artificial fiber.
-Wikipedia
This explains that the structure of bamboo is so jumbled around in processing you can hardly call it bamboo when it is finished. This does not negate the fact that “bamboo” is the raw material that is utilized to create the fabric.
So is bamboo viscose is not a natural textile?
For all you natural textile die-hards out there viscose from bamboo is still on your side.
- Bamboo is still the world`s fastest growing grass with shoots averaging 24-36 inches or more in a 24 hour period.
- Bamboo grows without any pesticides or chemical fertilizers and requires less irrigation.
- It biodegrades in normal soil conditions.
It seems intuitive that if you must consume, diversify your resources and utilize highly renewable raw materials. The processing argument is moot given that all fabric production causes harm including the processing of organic cotton.
Where does bamboo fabric come from?
The best bamboo fabric comes from China just like the loveliest silk comes from China. It’s grown organically and there are no starving or homeless Pandas as a result of the commercial production. Bamboo fabric is made with Moso bamboo and Panda’s don’t eat this species. Until recently, only one company in China produced the world’s supply of bamboo yarn. There other companies now coming up with innovative ways to produce the fabric. As long as the demand remains it is likely that more.
Is viscose from bamboo fabric really “eco-friendly”?
When you see made in China on your bamboo clothes you can be rest assured you have not committed any mortal environmental sins greater than what you can possibly avoid. If your lovely bamboo item says made in Canada . . . India, U.S.A, Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, or Germany for that matter, it probably still came from China. Made in Canada could mean you’re buying something that caused more greenhouse gases because the raw materials, or yarn, or fabric were shipped from China all over God’s green earth to be sewn before it was then re-routed to your purchase destination.
Shirtseed isn’t pro China production. Its pro information. Please also be aware that this same import/export fact is true for most organic fabrics. China exports the most clothing so it produces the most raw materials to make that clothing. Its just how it is. When stores start selling clothing made from flax fabric, or hemp fabric that is grown in Canada, then you have you have your greenest choice but if you wait around until then you are going to get very cold or very unstylish.
Two great books to read:
- Travels of a t-shirt in a global economy: Pietra Rivoli
- Big Cotton: Steven Yaffa
How do you care for viscose from bamboo?
- Bamboo can be washed in the washing machine in cold water, and tumble dried at a low temperature but is better hung up to dry.
- Bamboo jersey dries faster than cotton jersey when hung out to dry.
- Bamboo towels longer to dry in the dryer than cotton towels. They hold a lot of water. Hang your laundry. It’s better for your bamboo clothes, more eco-friendly and easier on the energy bills!
- For that reason we highly recommend hanging all bamboo fabric items to dry.
