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Bamboo You: Bamboo Fabric

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Bamboo Fabric

One of the current catch phrases found in the news on a daily basis is "sustainability." Can we find products that we can use that raw materials can be produced in quantities that will not deplete the whole or imbalance the environment. Few raw materials have the potential for true sustainable production and consumption as bamboo. It is a highly versatile grass, with a tremendous growth rate and ability to survive in a both temperate and tropical environments. It's woody fibers produce products that are both strong and beautiful, such as in bamboo flooring or cutting boards, "cane" poles and bamboo fly fishing poles, each being prized for their strength and grace under pressure.

Now, the latest manifestation of bamboo uses though has to be in the textile industry. Bamboo can be processed into a fine, silk like fiber or yarn, both of which produce some amazingly soft and durable clothing, bed linens, towels, and even socks and underwear. Bamboo fabric is both hypoallergenic and naturally anti-microbial, so your clothes will be more stain and odor resistant.

Ecological sustainability may be a topical buzzword, but the ethics of such sustainability can help carry the resource demand that we place on our planet. Using bamboo woods and bamboo products in our daily lives can have a major impact on the pace of deforestation of hardwood forests, in favor of faster growing bamboo forests. However, until bamboo rises in public demand, we will still have a high reliance on cotton for our fabrics, while our hardwood demands are met by oak, pine, and maple.

Consider trying bamboo fabrics in your wardrobe or linen closet. They look and feel great, and have a positive effect on our environment.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

New Balance has started to make running clothes out of bamboo. its great for running I've found and it feels great

Kerri Sturtevant said...

I bought a bamboo velour cloth diaper for my daughter. It is SO soft!