The benefits of Bamboo

What is all the hype about bamboo? Bamboo is popping up in cloth diapers and other clothing more and more. Although a bit sensitive to work with (often drives me to the brink of insanity) it poses many benefits to the environment, it is a strong and versatile textile and buttery soft to boot!

Bamboo fabric is most commonly found as a fleece or velour. It is made of bamboo grass. During processing, it is heavily pulped until is separates into thin threads of fiber. Unbleached, it represents the look of unspun cotton yet because its properties are smooth and round it remains buttery soft. Bamboo grass has been found to be a very resilient and hearty plant. It grows quickly and abundantly without the use of pesticides or herbicides so it leaves almost no negative footprint on the environment.

Bamboo is highly absorbent. It can take in 3 times its weight in water and offers excellent wicking properties. The material pulls moisture away from the skin allowing it to evaporate so its wearer stays drier than with other materials. Bamboo fabrics also offer beneficial insulating properties. It can be easily warm in many climates as it helps to keep the wearer cooler in hot weather and warmer when it is cold.

Bamboo has also been found to have antimicrobial properties. Bamboo has been shown to kill odor causing bacteria leaving the wearer smelling fresh longer. It effectively reduces bacteria on the skin and has been shown to retain its antimicrobial properties after multiple washings.

Ten great things to remember about bamboo:
1) Its thin and strong
2) It is very absorbent, taking in up to 3 times its weight in water
3) It has antimicrobial properties
4) It is a hearty and abundant plant which is easily grown without pesticides or herbicides
5) Does not leave a negative footprint on the environment
6) It has insulating properties which help to keep its wearer warmer or cooler in any climate
7) It has excellent wicking properties allowing its wearer to stay drier than other absorbent materials
8) It dyes well and holds color without bleeding
9) It is nearly as soft as silk
10) It is a perfect candidate for cloth diapering as all of the above benefits are highly sought after in a cloth diaper material

Reference:
"What is Bamboo Fabric"