Bamboo has received a lot of attention recently and is often portrayed as an eco friendly alternative to silk or cotton. It is softer, more breathable, antibacterial and temperature regulating.
It also absorbs color very well and will hold up over time. Just make sure you choose a brand that uses the best technology to produce their bamboo fabric such as mercerization instead of using harmful chemicals.
Softness
Bamboo fabrics are incredibly soft, which makes them gentle against skin. They also have excellent elasticity and stretchiness. Bamboo fibers are much longer and softer than, for example, conventional cotton fibers. This results in a much smoother feel to the fabric and a softness that gets softer with each wash. Bamboo also has micro-gaps that help to wick moisture away from the body, which is especially useful for people who suffer from itchy skin.
Because bamboo is a very fast-growing plant, it’s a more sustainable and earth-friendly material than other textiles. It requires less water to grow and does not need pesticides or fertilizers, which is good news for people who are concerned about the environment. Bamboo is also anti-bacterial, which is a major benefit for those suffering from illness or cancer.
Besides being hypoallergenic, bamboo fabric has been shown to provide natural UV protection. This is important because harmful UV rays are a leading cause of skin cancer. Bamboo fabric also repels common allergens such as dust mites. It is claimed that bamboo clothing can keep you cooler in summer, and warmer in winter – which is perfect for those who often feel overheated.
The best bamboo clothing is made using a process known as mercerization, which gives the bamboo a silky soft feeling and helps to retain color. This is a more sustainable process than the process used to make rayon from bamboo, which uses large amounts of energy and chemicals.
Breathability
Bamboo has long been used as structural material for buildings and paper in ancient books, but the tall green stalks can also be milled and woven into soft, stretchy activewear. Bamboo viscose is soft and smooth on the skin, doesn’t require any fabric softener or special washing care, and is breathable — wicking moisture away from the body to keep you cool and dry.
The secret behind bamboo clothing’s incredible breathability is its micro gaps and holes that allow air to pass easily through the fibers. This makes the fabric more lightweight and breathable than other cotton or synthetic materials that can trap heat and make you feel clammy. This breathable quality of bamboo fabric also helps regulate your body temperature, so you won’t get too hot or too cold when you’re wearing the garments.
Another benefit of bamboo fabric is its odor-fighting properties. This is due to the fact that bamboo fibers naturally inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria — those unpleasant organisms responsible for offensive body odors that can linger in other activewear fabrics even after you’ve washed them.
The best way to ensure your bamboo clothing is odor-fighting and antibacterial is to choose a brand that uses only organic bamboo fiber and natural dyes. Also, look for a brand that mercerizes the bamboo viscose to make it stronger and more durable. This process reduces the amount of harsh chemicals used to produce the fabric and protects the environment by limiting chemical exposure.
Antibacterial
Many people choose bamboo clothing because it is naturally antibacterial. It prevents odor from building up in the fabric, meaning you can wear it for longer periods of time without needing to change your outfit. This is especially helpful for people who are prone to sweating, such as those who workout, or anyone who suffers from conditions like eczema.
However, there is some debate over whether bamboo really has antibacterial properties at all. The theory is that bamboo rayon (the most common type of bamboo fabric) undergoes a very intensive chemical processing treatment, which may remove any natural antibacterial properties that the bamboo plant has. According to textile expert Sandra Roos, this antibacterial capacity could simply be a result of the fabric containing trace elements of zinc, which helps prevent bacterial growth, and has nothing to do with bamboo itself.
Bamboo is a sustainable material, which makes it perfect for making soft-to-the-touch bamboo pajamas, sheets, and towels. These fabrics are easy to care for, and can be washed in cold or warm water depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.
This means that bamboo clothing can be washed as often as other, less expensive garments made from synthetic materials. This also allows for a greener, more sustainable approach to laundry, which reduces the amount of polluting chemicals in your home.
Temperature-regulating
Bamboo fiber is soft and hypoallergenic, making it the perfect material for women’s clothing. It’s often compared to silk or cashmere, but is much lighter and more affordable. It’s also incredibly breathable, absorbing moisture and wicking it away from the body to keep you cool and dry throughout the day. This means it’s an excellent option for women who enjoy sweating when working out or spending time outdoors in the summer.
The natural thermal properties of bamboo fabric make it a great choice for winter as well. The micro-gaps in the bamboo fibers help retain the heat your body creates, keeping you warm without overheating. Bamboo is also able to wick away moisture, allowing it to evaporate faster than other fabrics and leaving you feeling fresh.
In addition to its temperature-regulating properties, bamboo fiber is naturally antibacterial and odor-fighting. This is due to the presence of a natural substance called bamboo Kun in the fiber, which kills bacteria and prevents them from growing on the surface of the fabric. This keeps your clothes smelling fresh and clean, even after many washes.
Many brands offer sustainable women’s clothing made of bamboo. Cariloha, for example, produces bamboo viscose with a GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certificate, which ensures that no harsh chemicals were used during production. Another popular brand is ONNO, which offers a line of bamboo rayon shirts and pants that are both eco-friendly and stylish. Their ONNOcell fabric is a blend of 70% lyocell from organic cotton and 30% organic bamboo fiber and features a GOTS certification as well.women’s bamboo clothing