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What is bamboo fabric?
Does this sound surprising? It’s actually very common! Many textiles from viscose rayon to lyocell are made out of bamboo cellulose. They are the hottest commodity in many sustainability projects. South-East Asians and Indians have produced such textiles for decades. India even has annual festivals surrounding this industry, such as the Kerala Bamboo Festival.
Why bamboo?
Bamboo is ideal for fabric production. It has antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-odour properties due to an anti-microbial agent present in it called ‘bamboo-kun’. It is an excellent body-temperature regulator since it is highly water-absorbent (even more than cotton!). This is also why it is often used in premium bedding. Such fabrics are also hypoallergenic, so anyone can wear them. Most bamboo textiles are very soft. Lyocell is even called ‘artificial silk’! These fabrics are certainly an environment-friendly alternative to cotton. It’s 2020, and sustainable fabrics are here to stay.
How is it made?
These fabrics are made from cellulose, which is obtained using crushed bamboo pulp. There are no artificial chemicals used in this process, which is another benefit of using these fabrics.
Another good thing about bamboo crops is that they’re usually grown pesticide-free, so this process is completely natural from start to finish.
To learn more about the process, read this article.
These fabrics are so soft and absorbent that they’re used even in diapers, makeup removers, and pillows these days!
Top bamboo clothing brands like NatureFab use viscose for their products, which is extremely soft.
Caring for the fabrics
Every fabric has different properties and a different care routine. When buying a fabric, it is important to know what to do, and more important to know what not to do. Washing machines themselves have multiple settings for different fabrics. From washing to drying to ironing, we have got your back! Here is how you can care for all your bamboo fabrics, and not just the clothing you wear:
How to wash bamboo fabrics
- Temperature: In most cases, it is best to wash your products with lukewarm water, or even cold water. Try to maintain a temperature of less than 35 degrees celsius. Using colder water will prevent shrinkage, though it is not usually a problem.
- Method: Most of these fabrics can be washed in a washing machine, but it is better to hand-wash more delicate fabrics, especially those used for diapers or inner-wear, or those that are thin.
- If you are using a machine, be sure to set the setting to a gentle cycle.
- Try not to dry-clean them.
- If you are using a machine, be sure to set the setting to a gentle cycle.
- Soap: Use a very gentle detergent, or a non-bleach powdered. Please do not use any kind of chlorinated products or bleach.
- Stain removers: Use gentle stain removers before washing
- Disinfectants: For items such as diapers, pillows, makeup-pads, etc. you can disinfect it. Use phenolic disinfectants. Pine oil works as well.
- Bleeding: These fabrics can bleed colour if they are darkly stained in the first wash. For the first few times, be sure to separate dark and light colour fabrics while washing.
How to dry bamboo fabrics
Bamboo fabrics are very water absorbent, so it takes a long time for them to dry. Be sure to allocate a good amount of time for drying.
There are 2 ways:
- Sun-drying the cloth gently. It is a better idea to lie them down flat instead of hanging them on a clothesline. When washed, bamboo is heavy due to all the water it soaks up. Hanging it could cause it to droop and stretch the cloth more than usual. This goes especially for all knitted articles.
- Delicate settings in dryers. Dryers are generally not recommended unless there is a very gentle setting on it. Do not use higher temperature settings in dryers.
How to iron bamboo fabrics
It’s very important to iron fabrics properly so as to prevent any damage to the clothing items.
Do not use high heat at any cost. Burnt fibres will not hold together, creating tears in the clothing. In most cases, the fibres turn a yellow colour that might or might not be saved with stain remover. If there is extensive heat damage, the fabric will be burnt and cannot be used again.
If you do use an iron, use a very cool setting and gently rub it over the fabric. Please make sure not to be overly aggressive or leave the iron on the fabric for too long. With hemp blends, it might be advisable to make the cloth a bit wet (damp) before ironing so that you get better results.
Dyeing the material
Natural dyes work really well with bamboo fabrics, since they are very absorbent in nature. There are also some dyes that are for natural fabrics only. One can use these on bamboo items too. Please do not use any harsh dyes.
Storage
Store completely dry items only. If you have shirts or sweaters, try to hang them so that they do not crease. Rough handling, including nicking them or stuffing drawers could cause the fibres to break off. Do not make any marked creases on the clothes.
However, if you have any jersey-knit cloth items, fold them instead of hanging them. This will prevent any sort of stretching when it comes to the fabrics.
Our favourite bamboo fabric brands
Here is a selection of brands that are at the top of their game, and the products they make the best:
Clothing – NatureFab
An Indian company dedicated to sustainable fashion, NatureFab produces some of the best bamboo clothing items around! NatureFab specialises in selling the softest T-shirts and leggings in a wide range of colours. 
Committed to producing high-quality bamboo clothing ranges, they have now branched out to underwear for women. Shop their selection at https://naturefabstore.com/ now, for sustainable clothing options at an affordable price range. Join the fashion revolution!
Towels – BambooGreens
Here is another Indian offering in the market! BambooGreens is a pioneer in the field of bamboo products, having made mats, tables runners, and the like. They have now upped their game to produce hand towels and bath towels. They love the eco-friendly nature of these products, so they want to expand their range. Shop their bed and bath towel collection here!
Diapers – Bamboo Nature
Bamboo Nature is a company that focuses exclusively on diapers for little children. The diapers work well because bamboo is hypoallergenic, antifungal, and antibacterial. Where regular diapers are creating toxic waste all around the world, these disposable diapers are biodegradable and just as good as regular diapers. Head to http://www.bambonature.in/products now to learn more.