Eco friendly bamboo gives cotton a run for its money

Online, October 7, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Bamboo fabric is particularly effective for those with sensitive skin and skin disorders, it is known as the breathing fibre. It may be the end of smelly feet too as socks made from bamboo have a deodorising effect due to the natural bacteriostatic bioagent of the fibre.

DID YOU KNOW?

FACT

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world, mainly because it has extraordinary water absorbency which helps it to grow quickly.

FACT

It's 30% more absorbent than cotton. It 'wicks' away moisture from the body which then evaporates, keeping wearers drier and more comfortable. Organically grown clothing made from bamboo has particular natural anti-bacterial functions, bacteriostasis and deodorization value.

FACT

Bamboo is remarkably breathable. In the heat, bamboo is naturally cool to wear. It has much better moisture absorption and ventilation than cotton. It's also very warm in cold weather, because of the same micro structure; as a base layer, warm air gets trapped next to the skin.

FACT

Bamboo is antibacterial, antifungal and anti-static. In the wild, bamboo thrives naturally without using any pesticides or fertilisers. It is seldom eaten by pests or infected by pathogens. Bamboo has a unique anti-bacteria and bacteriostasis bio-agent - "bamboo kun". This substance bonds tightly with bamboo cellulose molecules during the normal process of bamboo fibre growth. This natural feature is retained in fabric form.

FACT

Bamboo takes up far more greenhouse gases and releases far more oxygen than cotton its nearest rival. It grows naturally without the need for pesticides or irrigation.

Cotton requires vast amounts of pesticide, fertiliser, irrigated water and cheap labour - even the organic variety is water intensive. It uses around 20% of the world's insecticides and 10% of the pesticides. It takes roughly one-third of a pound of chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers) to grow enough cotton for just one T-shirt.