[NaturalDCFrench] Duvet Cover Midnight Natural French Linen Texture

How is bamboo fabric made?

One thing you might be wondering when you snuggle into your soft, smooth bamboo bedding is how is bamboo fabric made? Bamboo starts its journey deep in the forests of South Asia where it grows quickly, before undergoing a process that transitions into the beautiful, eco-friendly fabric we know and love.

Let’s take a closer look at this process, its abundant benefits and how you can ensure you’re choosing the most natural, sustainable fabric for your home.

How does bamboo become bamboo fabric?

For the plant to become a fabric, the first step involves the bamboo leaves and soft inner pith of the plant being crushed so that the cellulose can be extracted. These bamboo fibres are then soaked in a natural enzyme solution, washed and spun into a yarn that is woven into bamboo fabric.

Bamboo fabric can come under a few different names. If you use bamboo products some of these may be familiar: bamboo rayon, bamboo linen and bamboo viscose. These names are determined by slight variations in the manufacturing process.

Bamboo fabric can be made with a closed-loop production process to ensure minimum impact on the environment and that the final fabric is as natural as possible, organic and chemical-free. Any solvents (and water!) used in a closed-loop process can be reused, reducing waste and producing a higher-quality fabric. This is exactly how we produce our newest addition, bamboo lyocell.

This process retains many of the plant’s incredible properties and can be used to create a wide range of premium products. From the softest bedding and most absorbent towels to the fluffiest duvets, it’s no wonder bamboo has become the trending fabric of the 21st century.

Is bamboo fabric better than cotton?

Cotton has long been a bedtime and wardrobe favourite, although many cotton lovers are now switching to bamboo. So how do the two compare? In terms of sustainability, bamboo relies on a third less water than cotton – and unlike cotton, no pesticides or fertilisers are used for it to grow. Bamboo also outgrows cotton, with some varieties reaching up to 4 ft per day, making it one of the world's fastest-growing resources.

And as for the comfort factor, bamboo provides a smooth, soft texture and is incredibly breathable whereas cotton has a slightly coarser, more rough texture. The benefits of bamboo fabric do not stop there, so let’s take a look at the wonderful benefits the fabric provides for both your comfort and the environment.

[SlateGrey] SlateGrey Bamboo and French linen Bedding Set Texture

What are the advantages of bamboo fabric?

Sustainable – Bamboo has unparalleled eco-friendly credentials. It is the fastest growing plant in the world, relies on little more than sunshine and water to grow, and is biodegradable. It has such a minimal impact on our planet, making it the perfect choice for the eco-conscious consumer.

Highly breathable and thermoregulating – The fabric is highly breathable and thermoregulating, making it perfect for cosy Winters and hot Summer. It reacts to your body temperature to keep you both snug and fresh. Your beautiful bamboo products can be used all year round, making them a great investment for you and the planet.

Super-absorbent and durable – No wonder it makes the best, warm and cosy towels. Bamboo fabric is ultra-absorbent and incredibly durable making it perfect for creating long-lasting bedding and homeware. This only makes it even more sustainable, as you won’t be contributing to landfill thanks to products that actually last.

Hypoallergenic and antibacterial – For those that suffer from allergies or have sensitive skin, bamboo fabric is ideal. It is both hypoallergenic and naturally antibacterial, keeping bedtime fresh and gently warding off allergens.

So, so soft (and gets softer with every wash) – Once you have felt the soft, smooth texture of bamboo, it’s hard to settle for anything else. Whereas some fabrics fade, go bobbly and lose their softness over time, bamboo gets softer and softer with every wash – a win for you and the environment.

How do you choose the most natural bamboo fabric?

With so many different labels and confusion around how bamboo is made, it can be a challenge to know if you are choosing a fabric that is really natural, organic and eco-friendly. To put your mind at rest here are the certificates, practices and manufacturing standards to look out for when shopping for bamboo products!

Oeko-Tex 100 – Check if the fabric you’re choosing is certified to Oeko-Tex Standard 100; this will ensure it is organically grown and chemical free.

Dyes – Ensure any dyes used are natural and toxic-free like Avitera®SE dyes. This way you can be sure they comply with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Group’s restricted substances list. Panda’s bedding dyes reduce water and energy consumption by up to 50%, salt consumption by 20% and overall cycle time by 25%. Now that’s good to know!

Recycling – Recycling plays a big part in creating a more sustainable world; to help with this, we collect our memory foam items at the end of their use and ensure they are disposed of (or reused) responsibly.

Packaging – Ensure your bamboo products arrive in packaging that is recyclable, like cardboard or kraft paper.

Production process – When choosing brands, look for those who take a holistic approach to their production process as well as the efforts and initiatives they go to in order to make it as eco-friendly as possible. Panda’s production process is eco-friendly from forest to front door and we continue to look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint whilst making exceptional products you can rely on.

[ForestGreen] Signature Plus Bamboo Full Bedding Set Lifestyle Image

Bamboo is certainly here to stay!
If you are looking to make your home more sustainable while not compromising on luxurious comfort, it could be time to get all wrapped up in what is fast becoming the world's favourite fabric.