Emuparadise

Bamboo is a super soft fabric that feels like silk on the skin. It also doesn’t irritate skin and is naturally hypoallergenic. Bamboo can also be highly sustainable as it requires no pesticides to grow and is able to regenerate soil with its roots.

However, most clothing marketed as bamboo is actually made using bamboo rayon which has its own environmental downsides and represents workplace hazards. The good news is that some brands use ethically produced bamboo textiles.

Softness

Although bamboo textiles like rayon, modal and lyocell are not synthetic fabrics, they aren’t entirely natural either. The production process uses a lot of chemicals such as sodium hydroxide, carbon disulfide and sulfuric acid that are toxic to workers and can cause health issues in the environment.

The good news is that bamboo rayon can be made through a more environmentally friendly process, but it’s important to read product descriptions carefully to find out what method of production was used to make the garment you’re buying. Also, look out for brands that use OEKO-TEX certification and a closed-loop system to keep water from entering the ecosystem untreated. This makes it easier to recycle and lessens the amount of microplastics that get washed into waterways and are ingested by marine life.

UV Protection

Bamboo clothing is incredibly soft next to the skin and breathable. Unlike cotton which absorbs and holds on to sweat, bamboo fabrics are designed for the outdoors with anti-odor properties that will keep you fresh all day.

Our bamboo fabrics are woven with natural UV protection, filtering up to 97.5% of harmful sun rays. This makes bamboo clothing the perfect choice for those who love to spend time outdoors as it can protect against harmful rays and sunburn.

Our ONNO fabric, made with 70% viscose from bamboo and 30% organic cotton is GOTS certified. This means that the fabric meets strict standards of toxic chemicals used during the textile production process and is environmentally friendly. The mercerization process is also sustainable and uses less water than other synthetic fabric processes.

Breathability

Bamboo requires very little water to grow and no pesticides or fertilizers, unlike cotton which uses vast amounts of chemicals. The fabric also has a moisture-absorbing structure that keeps you feeling fresh and dry longer, meaning you’ll need to wash your clothing less often.

Look for brands that use a minimal amount of chemicals in their processing to avoid toxic pollutants like sodium hydroxide, carbon disulfide and sulfuric acid. Also, check that they’re transparent about where their bamboo comes from and how it’s grown.

Cariloha is a great example of an ethical brand that offers a wide range of bamboo viscose clothing, bedding, and bathroom towels while working with small family-owned partner factories. Their bamboo lyocell is GOTS certified, OEKO-TEX and PETA approved. The company has also created a closed-loop system that captures the liquid used in manufacturing and recycles it.

Insulation

Bamboo does not require the extensive irrigation and chemical spraying that cotton does, making it more sustainable. The plant is also naturally able to absorb and release carbon dioxide, which improves air quality.

However, it’s important to note that most of the benefits listed above are offered by only certain types of bamboo fabric. The most sustainable bamboo fabric is natural bamboo, or moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens). This type of fabric is processed mechanically, rather than chemically, and does not contain any toxic chemicals.

Other types of bamboo fabric, such as rayon, are chemically processed with carbon disulfide, resulting in water pollution and potentially harmful effects on human health. For this reason, it’s best to purchase bamboo shirts from brands that use organic cotton and ethical bamboo viscose.

Hypoallergenic

Bamboo fibres are naturally hypoallergenic meaning they don’t irritate the skin like other fabrics. They also don’t attract and hold on to odours the same way as other materials. Bamboo is antibacterial and has natural elements that kill bacteria and fungus. This means that bamboo clothing stays fresher and odour free longer than other fabrics.

Bamboo shirts are breathable and moisture wicking making them cooler than cotton alternatives. Bamboo fibres have microscopic holes that let air flow through the fabric and help keep you cool and comfortable. Bamboo also has thermoregulatory properties which helps you to feel warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s hot.

Many brands of sustainable bamboo clothing use the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 label to ensure that no harmful chemicals are used in the production process (like sodium hydroxide, carbon disulfide or sulfuric acid). This protects workers’ health and allows them to work with fewer chemicals.