In an ongoing effort to help preserve the environment, more and more people are becoming interested in bamboo clothing, which is environmentally friendly. Bamboo clothing is made of breathable, quick drying, anti-bacterial (odor free) and anti-bromic (deodorized) material. The clothing is stylish, comfortable, and available in many sizes and colors.
Bamboo is super soft yet durable. Unlike other antimicrobial fabrics, which require a chemical treatment (and are often irritating and hyperallergenic to the skin), bamboo fiber fabric is naturally antimicrobial and requires no harmful chemicals. Bamboo apparel is hypoallergenic because the organic and natural fiber properties make it non-irritating to the skin, making it a pleasant alternative for anyone with skin sensitivities or other allergies.
People always ask, “Is bamboo better then cotton?” Bamboo is the new cotton. “It has all the properties that you physically want out of cotton and then some. Bamboo is more antibacterial than [other fabrics like] cotton or wool, which are very absorbent and hold moisture in. Because bamboo wicks moisture away, it’s great for your circulation and skin.” LAtimes.com, September 25, 2005. Bamboo fiber is softer than the softest cotton, has a natural sheen to the surface and feels similar to silk or cashmere. However, it has a very high soil release value and is so durable; you can throw it in the washer and drier. Due to bamboo fiber’s cross section which is composed of a matrix with various microscopic gaps, bamboo fiber is more breathable, comfortable and thermal regulating than cotton, wool or any other synthetic fiber thereby keeping you cooler, drier and more comfortable all day. This unique microstructure allows bamboo apparel to absorb and evaporate perspiration faster than any other fabric. It’s nice not to have your clothes sticking to your skin in the hot summer or during exercise!
Bamboo apparel is good for our ecosystems because bamboo does not require pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizers, and does not involve the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The chemicals used on cotton crops are linked to ground and surface water contamination, and even the pollution of drinking water. Pesticides are also the greatest crop contributor to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which contribute to low level ozone and smog formation, increasing the green house effect.
Further, bamboo fibers are biodegradable, unlike synthetic textile fibers. Synthetic textile fibers are also made from non-renewable petroleum, and can even emit harmful gasses when incinerated. Almost all polyester/cotton blend fabrics are finished with formaldehyde, a carcinogen, added to make fabrics wrinkle free.
As far as bamboo being fashionable, it drapes like silk, it feels as soft and good as silk, but it is more practical because it is durable and much less expensive and versatile. Imagine that, clothing that looks good, feels good, and is good for the environment!
Article written by YogaFit staff. YogaFit Inc. is the largest yoga education program in the U.S. For more information on YogaFit’s bamboo clothing line, please contact Vanessa or Skylar at 310-320-0110, ext. 228 or 229, or visit www.yogafit.com.