Learn more about Bamboo Fabrics

Features of bamboo fabric

 

Anti-Bacterial

One of the many reasons that bamboo fabric is becoming more popular is due to the anti-bacterial properties that it has. When growing, bamboo requires very little to no pesticides, an attribute which scientists have discovered comes from an anti-bacterial bio-agent called bamboo kun. This makes products made from bamboo fabric, a popular choice for people with allergies. With the fabric unable to host the bacteria and allergens trigger people with allergies, makes bamboo fabric a healthy alternative to other fabrics.

Breathable and Absorbent

Many people who have worn clothing made of bamboo fabrics claim that it has helped to keep them cooler as the breathable fabric doesn't cling to the skin. The absorbent fabric also wicks away moisture, keeping the skin cool and dry. These insulating characteristics also make bamboo fabric warm in colder months. Win-win.

Economical and Ecological

Bamboo fabric is one of the most economical and ecological products in the world today. Bamboo does not require the large amounts of water, pesticides and attentive care that other fabrics such as cotton require in order to be produced. The fibres used to make the fabric don't need to be sprayed with chemical additives either. 100% biodegradable, it takes just over a year for bamboo fabrics to biodegrade.

The Process

Ever wonder how such soft fabric is made from something as strong and tough as bamboo? The following steps should help you to understand the process a bit more...

1 - It all starts with harvesting mature bamboo plants, this occurs at the time the stalks are between 2-4 years old.

Bamboo is considered a weed in some places and grows naturally in many parts of the world which naturally makes bamboo resistant to insects and diseases, unlike other cultivated plants that require harmful pesticides to grow.

The bamboo stacks are cut as cleanly as possible to enabling the shoots to grow faster.

Fun fact: some species of bamboo can grow as much as 2 to 4 feet per day!

 

2- After harvesting, it's transported to a nearby factory to be chopped up into smaller chips, which is easier to transport.

3- Most bamboo manufacturers use an eco-friendly soaking solution to extract the cellulose from the chips and convert them into pulp. The liquid solution follows the "Global Organic Textile Standard" of approval. 

The chemicals in the soaking solution are kept in a closed-loop system which allows for it to be recycled over and over. 

Fun fact: Bamboo is one of the most environmentally friendly plants in the world! Compared to cotton, bamboo uses 1/3 of the amount of water to grow.

4- Once soaked in the solution, the bamboo pulp will begin to break down. The pulp is drained and pressed, recycling the solution for the next batch. This forms parchment like sheets which are easier to handle, better for storing and much lighter to transport.

5- Once the sheets are completely dry, they're ground up and spun into bamboo fibre. Manufacturers use a process to separate and spin the fibre into threads and create a basic weaving yarn referred to as Bamboo Viscose.

6- The bamboo viscose is then sold to our garment supplier, who help make our oulo designs a reality.