What is bamboo clothing?

Although bamboo looks like a tree, it is actually a species of grass. Growing nearly a meter a day, it is the fastest growing plant in the world. Bamboo is best known for its robust, hollow stems that are suitable for making furniture, fences, scaffolding, as well as clothing. In addition, bamboo is the giant panda's only source of food. But don't worry, a different kind of bamboo is used for clothing, namely Moso bamboo.

How is bamboo clothing made?

Bamboo can be processed into textiles in several ways. The most common method is to make bamboo viscose. To do this, the harvested bamboo stalks are first pulverized into a paste. Treating the paste chemically allows the cellulose to pull out. This is spun into fibers to make bamboo yarn. You can then weave this yarn into any garment you want, such as basic T-shirts and boxer shorts.

Properties of bamboo clothing

Bamboo clothing has grown in popularity among men in recent years. For example, its fabric is naturally soft and feels comfortable on the skin. Thus, bamboo underwear is mainly known for its high wearing comfort. Because bamboo fibers have microscopic holes, clothing made of bamboo is breathable and wicks away moisture quickly. Bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic, making it suitable for people with sensitive skin or allergyën. In addition, it does not retain odors even with heavy use. The downside is that bamboo clothing is prone to wear and wrinkles. So it is wise to follow the instructions on the label and store the garments carefully.

Is bamboo clothing sustainable?

Bamboo reaches full maturity within a few months. This makes it a renewable and sustainable resource. In addition, bamboo grows without the use of pesticides and fertilizers, making its environmental impact significantly lower compared to other crops such as cotton. On the other hand, chemicals are required to turn bamboo stalks into suitable fibers. Nowadays there are environmentally friendly chemicals to make the process more sustainable, but this is still not always the case.