About Bamboo

Bamboo fabric has a number of beneficial properties not found in other types of fabric, and also being a sustainable resource, bamboo fabric is the perfect choice for baby's clothing.

Bamboo - What is it? 

Bamboo technically is a grass. It is one

of the fastest growing grasses in the world, at a growth rate of 30cm-1m per day depending on the species and conditions. Bamboo grows most abundantly in Eastern Asia. Bamboo does not require pesticides, herbicides, or irrigation to grow, it thrives in its natural environment. It continually sends up new shoots after harvesting without the need for replanting. It can be harvested every 4-5 years, as opposed to 25-70 years for commercial tree species.  Bamboo removes CO2 from the atmosphere and produces over 30% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees.

Bamboo Fabric Properties

Softness Bamboo fabric is extremely soft. It has been compared to the feel of cashmere, and has a natural sheen. Bamboo fibre at the microscopic level has a smooth round surface which makes the fabric incredibly soft and luxurious. The garments will keep baby snug and comfortable.

Antibacterial

The bamboo plant grows without the need for chemicals or pesticides, no bugs or insects attack it. This antibacterial, antifungal agent is referred to as "bamboo kun". There has been much debate as to if this property remains in the fabric. As a relatively new fabric more research and evidence will emerge over time and will hopefully resolve the debate. 
 

Breathable and Thermal Regulating The individual bamboo fibres have cross sections filled with micro-gaps and micro-holes which make the fabric breathable and thermal regulating (baby will stay cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter). It is also anti-static so will not cling to baby's skin.

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world, mainly because it has extraordinary water absorbency which helps it to grow fast. As fabric it retains this property. It is 3-4 times more absorbent than cotton. It 'wicks' away moisture from the body which then evaporates, keeping baby naturally drier and more comfortable. 


Hypoallergenic and non-irritating

The natural fibre properties of bamboo discussed above:

• Softness
• Breathable and Thermal Regulating
• Wicks away moisture

Make bamboo fabric naturally hypoallergenic and non-irritating to the skin. This is the perfect fabric for baby’s sensitive skin, especially for those with eczema, allergies, dermatitis or other skin sensitivities.

Environmentally Friendly

Bamboo is a sustainable resource. It is inherently organic as it is grown without pesticides or chemicals, is 100% biodegradable and naturally regenerative. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing and prolific plants in the world. It can be harvested in 4-5 years. We recently visited the bamboo forests in Southeast China, it was a wonderful experience to see how naturally it grows in such a vast area. Bamboo reduces greenhouse gases. The plants absorb five times the amount of carbon dioxide (a primary greenhouse gas) and produces about 30% more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees

 
Sustainable Production

Bamboo is a prolific, highly renewable raw material.
Our bamboo is grown on plantations that are managed by our supplier in strict accordance to the international organic standard of OCIA this ensures the bamboo is of 100% natural growth and produced without any chemical pesticides or chemical organic materials.  The bamboo is grown on plantations and none of the fibre comes from tropical forests. The process of making bamboo is similar to that of making rayon and is therefore called rayon from bamboo, viscose from bamboo, or bamboo rayon. This process uses chemicals, principally sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide known also as caustic soda the chemical is used in food production, soap making, production of paper and other fabrics. Caustic soda is approved for use on textiles under the Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS). The fabric is dyed using azo-free environmental-protecting dyestuffs. Our bamboo fabric also has Oeko Tex 100 certification, this is an assurance that our fabric has been independently tested to contain no harmful levels of chemicals which can be detrimental to human health. The International Oeko-Tex Association, a grouping of 14 well-known textile research and test institutes in Europe and Japan, with representative agencies and contact offices in over 40 countries worldwide, is responsible for the independent test for harmful substances according to the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. Please see www.oeko-tex.com for more information on this. The garments are manufactured to our specifications by our supplier, a specialist in eco-fabrics, based in China. The factory has been independently audited and provides good working conditions for employees who are cared for. Snooky visited the factory in Feb 2010, we met the factory workers and management who were at the time making our latest order. The factory employs less than 50 people and it is located in a small village. Protecting the environment and pursuing social values are important to the manufacturer's business philosophy.

Bamboo Combined with Organic Cotton

We have mixed bamboo with organic cotton for a number of reasons. Adding organic cotton to bamboo results in: A more durable garment Minimal shrinkage Gentle machine washable Retains its shape better The fabric still maintains all the benefits of bamboo Our organic cotton has been independently certified organic by Control Union.

For more information about bamboo fabric look at the following links:

www.buyorganic.com.au/articles/bamboo-clothing.htm
www.bamboofabricstore.com
www.bamboofabricstore.com.au/properties.htm
www.bamboocentral.org
www.bamboohomeusa.com/bamboo-facts-studies.php