Sunday, August 31, 2008

The Benefits of Bamboo Fabric


Bamboo fabric is a great alternative to traditional textiles found in the US, such as cotton and polyester. The popularity of bamboo fabric has been growing rapidly due to the simple fact that it is superior to traditional fabrics. It is stronger and more absorbent than cotton, making it useful as clothing. It has the appeal of natural fabrics like hemp or wool, but does not cause allergic reactions. Bamboo clothing will suck up moisture from the skin and allow it to evaporate. Actually, it holds 3 times its weight in moisture making it a highly desirable fabric for socks. It is soft to the touch and does not require chemical additives to increase softness. The commercial and household uses of bamboo fabric are practically unlimited. It can be used for anything from clothing to bedroom linens to furniture upholstery, and more!

Studies have shown that bamboo fabric also has mild antibacterial properties. The plant's natural
protection from germs is retained in the fabric and converted into a valuable benefit to humans. This keeps unpleasant odors from building up in the fabric and can even kill potentially infectious microbes. Here are just a few of its unique benefits.
  • Lightweight
  • Strong
  • Naturally Soft
  • Holds 3X its weight in moisture
  • Antibacterial Properties
  • Produced Organically



So what's keeping you from buying bamboo fabric? Well its not cheap in the United States...Yet. The vast majority of bamboo fabric production takes place in China. The Chinese have been producing bamboo fabric for centuries, and are developing new ways to streamline its production. Americans have only recently become interested in bamboo as an alternative textile. Not only is it an improvement from traditional textiles, but it is also great for the environment. A bamboo grove provides an incomparable level of environmental benefit than say...a cotton field. Bamboo grows rapidly without the use of pesticides or non-organic fertilizers. In fact, a bamboo grove can colonize an area, pound for pound, 5 times faster than a typical pine forest. So looking to trying out bamboo fabric the next time you buy new linens. You won't be disappointed...And neither will our planet.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

The Bamboo Press - Complete Bamboo is Online

CompleteBamboo.com was launched today. This will be a great resource for anyone interested in growing or learning about bamboo. We hope to cover many more topics in the coming months and add a whole bunch more content. The bamboo species list which is currently in the works will be perhaps the most comprehensive on the web. A huge thanks goes out the Jungle Supply Company of Sacramento, California. Your contributions are greatly appreciated. There is still plenty of work to be done. Check back often...