Om Bamboo

Bamboo is the new variety in the fashion industry. In fact, there is not much difference when talking about properties between wool and bamboo. Where the difference really comes into play is in how sustainable bamboo actually is.

BAMBOO AND SUSTAINABILITY

• Bamboo is related to grass and is one of the earth's most sustainable resources, it requires almost no irrigation and can be grown completely without the use of pesticides.

• Bamboo is considered to be the fastest growing plant in the world and some varieties grow by up to 30 cm per day and for the same reason can be harvested several times a year without having to be replanted.

• Bamboo is good for the soil and is used to improve soil quality on soils with poor soil quality as it leaves the soil richer in nutrients. Bamboo also has a positive effect on the CO2 level, as bamboo absorbs more CO2 than trees per m2 This means that clothing made from bamboo fibers (certainly under the right conditions) is one of the most sustainable items available within the clothing industry.

ADVANTAGES AND FEATURES

• One of the biggest benefits of clothing made from bamboo fibers is the antibacterial properties. This is because bamboo grows naturally and does not need pest control, and this effect persists in the finished textile. This also means that the clothes are particularly suitable for sensitive skin and allergy sufferers.

• Bamboo also regulates the body's temperature with the same effect as natural wool, so it feels cooler when it is hot and vice versa. This makes it comfortable to use in any weather.

• Something else that can also be said about bamboo is that the bamboo fibers have a fantastic ability to transport moisture away from the body and this, together with the antibacterial effect, helps to reduce odors such as sweat. Bamboo lets the skin breathe and does not stick to the skin when you sweat. It is very comfortable, which is why bamboo is also popular for sportswear, e.g. yoga clothes, just as it is also widely used for socks and underwear.

• Bamboo textiles are extremely soft, smooth and feel luxurious.

It sounds like you can't do anything wrong with bamboo and it's sustainable up to both ears... or is it!? Because one thing is how the plant grows , but how the plant is treated afterwards is a completely different matter. Although bamboo in itself is a sustainable material, and has the potential to be used to produce the most sustainable clothing imaginable, it all falls or stands when it comes to the production of the textile itself.

When turning bamboo into textiles, the bamboo must be converted into textile fibres. This is usually done by softening the fibers in a fairly heavy amount of chemicals. These are both dangerous for people to work with, and they are bad for nature if they are discharged into the system after use. Exactly in the same way as in conventional textile production. All of a sudden, bamboo is no longer sustainable, at least not when talking about clothes. And where do we stand with our good faith that, now we finally made a difference?

It is important to look at the way the clothes have been produced. Now you're probably thinking, "how do I figure it out, and buying clothes shouldn't be so difficult." - you're absolutely right, that's why I'm here some little tricks and guidelines that can help you.

Viscose bamboo is often a very chemical process when it comes to making textiles. The only reason you choose to use bamboo here, instead of another type of wood, is because bamboo is much cheaper. The reason why bamboo is cheaper to produce is because it is considered to be the fastest growing plant in the world and for the same reason can be harvested several times a year without having to be replanted.

A more sustainable way to produce bamboo fibers is by using the Lyocell/Tencel method. There are a number of conditions that must be met in order to be allowed to use this designation and in this process fewer and less toxic chemicals are used in the softening process itself.

Another clue is that when you see brightly colored, often neon-coloured bamboo textiles that claim to be sustainable, you should probably think twice, as some rather harsh dyes have probably been used in the production.

WASHING OF BAMBOO TEXTILES

Bamboo should normally be washed with cold water on a gentle cycle in the machine wash. You should also be careful not to iron the garment with an iron that is too hot, as it can easily leave burn marks on the material. Using excessively high temperatures in the tumble dryer can risk having a shrinking effect on the bamboo clothes - just like with hot washing.