Why Bamboo?

The Amazing Bamboo

The uniqueness of bamboo cultivation is that during the harvest the plant remains as a "habitat" for birds and other organisms. The flora and fauna therefore remain intact. Did you know that there are more than a thousand species of bamboo, of which the fussy panda bears only consume a few species? The bamboo grass grows up sometimes to one meter per day and is therefore an attractive 100% natural raw material for environmental enthusiasts. Read the benefits of bamboo below.

The history of Bamboo clothing

Bamboo has been used in various forms for thousands of years, particularly in Asian cultures. Historically, bamboo was primarily utilized for structural elements like bustles and corset ribs. The modern use of bamboo for fabric and clothing began in the 20th century. The first significant development in bamboo textiles occurred at Beijing University, where researchers developed a process to create usable bamboo fabric in the early 2000s. This innovation allowed bamboo to be transformed into soft, breathable, and eco-friendly textiles, which have since gained popularity in the fashion industry for their sustainability and comfort.

 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is bamboo used in clothing?

Bamboo is incredibly soft, breathable, and possesses anti-bacterial properties. It is also a highly sustainable and eco-friendly material, making it an excellent choice for clothing.

2. How is bamboo clothing made?

Bamboo clothing is made by processing the bamboo plant into a pulp. This pulp is then dried into sheets, which are milled into a soft, fluffy material. It’s then spun into yarn and woven or knitted to make clothing.

3. Is bamboo clothing biodegradable?

Yes, bamboo clothing is biodegradable. When discarded properly, it can decompose and return to nature over time, leaving minimal environmental impact.

4. Is bamboo clothing suitable for sensitive skin?

Absolutely. Bamboo clothing is hypoallergenic and softer than many traditional fabrics, making it perfect for people with sensitive skin. Its natural thermo-regulating properties also make it suitable for all seasons.

5. How to care for bamboo clothing?

Bamboo clothing should be washed in cold water, using a gentle cycle with similar colours. It’s preferable to use a gentle detergent and avoid bleach. To dry, line dry or tumble dry on low heat. Iron on low heat

6. Are there different types of bamboo fabric?

Yes, the most common are bamboo viscose, bamboo lyocell, and bamboo linen. Each type has different properties and uses, but all retain the core benefits of bamboo.

7. Are bamboo clothes better than cotton?

Bamboo and cotton have their unique attributes. However, bamboo stands out for its sustainability, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties, making it an increasingly popular choice.

8. What types of clothes can be made from bamboo?

A wide variety of clothing items can be made from bamboo, including t-shirts, dresses, underwear, socks, sweaters, and even bathrobes. Its versatility makes it a popular fabric choice for manufacturers.

9. What about bedroom and Bathroom essential?

A multitude of products such as Beds, Blankets, Pillows, Towels, Bathmats etc. are manufactured from Bamboo.

What is bamboo lyocell

Bamboo Lyocell is a type of fabric made from bamboo pulp. It's known for being eco-friendly, soft, and gentle on the skin. Here's a bit more detail:

• Eco-Friendly Fabric: Bamboo Lyocell is produced using a closed-loop process that recycles water and solvents, making it more environmentally friendly than other bamboo fabrics.
• Soft and Gentle: This fabric is often compared to silk or high-quality cotton due to its softness.
• Hypoallergenic: It's great for people with sensitive skin as it's hypoallergenic.
• Antibacterial: The production process allows the fabric to retain bamboo's natural antibacterial properties.
• Versatile Use: You'll find Bamboo Lyocell in a variety of products, from clothing to bedding.

It's a semi-synthetic Fiber, meaning it's made from natural materials but involves chemical processing to create the final product. This makes it a sustainable and comfortable choice for many applications.

CleanBamboo® is ettitude's unique, patented fabric that no other company can make. Unique due to the process, CleanBamboo® is bamboo lyocell, which never uses caustic soda or other harmful chemicals like the traditional viscose. Additionally, ettitude only uses regenerative plants for our Fibers and fabrics. It is the first ever fully traceable and a closed loop system for bamboo. Not to brag, but ettitude is the healthiest fabric you can buy. Sleep easy knowing you're wrapped up in something luxurious, better for you and better for the world.        

 What's the difference between Bamboo and Bamboo viscose?

A word from our sourcing agent.

You’ll notice that whenever we describe the fabric our clothes are made of, we call it bamboo viscose. The viscose process is the way the bamboo pulp is turned into a fabric, and this uses chemicals.

Bamboo is one of the most sustainable crops on the planet but one of the criticisms of bamboo viscose is that it’s not as eco-friendly as it might first appear because of this chemical process. 

Every clothing business has a chemical footprint, but we believe all clothing manufacturers should ensure safe chemistry and zero water pollution to protect the local population as well as wildlife and its habitat.

As part of our goal to be impact positive, we are reducing any remaining pollution from our textile processing to zero. To do that we’ve traced back through our entire supply chain to ensure we know exactly who is making our fibre and dyeing and finishing our fabrics. When it comes to the viscose process, our sourcing agent visited both of the viscose producers used by our suppliers. We know for ourselves exactly how our bamboo viscose is made, and we have made a commitment to only work with textile manufacturers who have responsible chemical management systems and waste treatment practices and who invest in the technology needed to make things better.

We don’t shy away from the realities of bamboo viscose because – despite these chemicals – it is still one of the most sustainable fibres available and it’s a planet-friendly alternative to conventional viscose, cotton & polyester.

What is viscose when talking about bamboo fibre?

Viscose, when talking about bamboo fibre, refers to a type of semi-synthetic fabric made from bamboo pulp. Here's a bit more detail:

What is Bamboo Viscose?

Bamboo viscose, also known as bamboo rayon, is a fabric derived from the cellulose of bamboo plants. The process involves breaking down the bamboo into a pulp, which is then dissolved and reformed into fibres. This creates a soft, breathable, and durable fabric that is often used in clothing, bedding, and other textiles2.

How is it Made?

The production of bamboo viscose involves several steps:

1. Harvesting: Bamboo is harvested and cut into small pieces.
2. Pulping: The bamboo pieces are soaked in a chemical solution to break down the fibres into a pulp.
3. Dissolving: The pulp is dissolved in a solvent to create a viscous solution.
4. Extruding: This solution is then extruded through a spinneret to form fibres.
5. Spinning: The fibres are spun into yarn and woven into fabric.

Benefits of Bamboo Viscose

• Softness: Bamboo viscose is known for its silky-smooth texture, making it comfortable to wear.
• Breathability: The fabric is highly breathable, which helps regulate body temperature.
• Moisture-Wicking: It has excellent moisture-wicking properties, keeping you dry and comfortable.
• Eco-Friendly: Bamboo is a fast-growing, renewable resource, and the closed-loop process used in making viscose can be more environmentally friendly4.

Considerations

While bamboo viscose has many benefits, it's important to note that the chemical process used to produce it can involve harmful substances. However, many manufacturers are adopting more sustainable practices to minimize environmental impact.

What about mixing Spandex with Bamboo for elasticity

Mixing Spandex with bamboo fibre can contribute to the microplastics problem. Here's why:

Microplastics from Synthetic Fibers

Spandex, also known as elastane or Lycra, is a synthetic fibre made from polyurethane. When garments made from synthetic fibres like Spandex are washed, they can shed tiny plastic particles known as microfibers. These microfibers can end up in waterways and oceans, contributing to microplastic pollution.

Environmental Impact

While bamboo fibre is a natural and biodegradable material, the addition of Spandex introduces non-biodegradable elements. This means that even if the bamboo part of the fabric decomposes, the Spandex fibres will persist in the environment, potentially causing harm to marine life and ecosystems

What is Bamboo lyocell

Bamboo Lyocell is a type of fabric made from bamboo pulp. It's known for being eco-friendly, soft, and gentle on the skin. Here's a bit more detail:

• Eco-Friendly Fabric: Bamboo Lyocell is produced using a closed-loop process that recycles water and solvents, making it more environmentally friendly than other bamboo fabrics.
• Soft and Gentle: This fabric is often compared to silk or high-quality cotton due to its softness.
• Hypoallergenic: It's great for people with sensitive skin as it's hypoallergenic.
• Antibacterial: The production process allows the fabric to retain bamboo's natural antibacterial properties.
• Versatile Use: You'll find Bamboo Lyocell in a variety of products, from clothing to bedding.

It's a semi-synthetic fibre, meaning it's made from natural materials but involves chemical processing to create the final product. This makes it a sustainable and comfortable choice for many applications.

Cotton, although natural, not as environmentally friendly

Cotton cultivation is water-intensive

Most crops take a season to mature

Pesticides Are Often Required

Low Carbon absorption

High chemical usage during manufacturing