Bamboo Fabric: Good for the Planet, Good for Fashion

By: Dorris Bogus

People are discovering the comfort and flexibility of clothing made of bamboo.It's natural moisture wicking and antimicrobial properties help to keep the body cool and dry, making it ideal for fitness and lifestyle apparel. Available in a variety of colors, bamboo fiber is easy to maintain—machine wash in cold water, line-dry or machine-dry on a low heat setting. It drapes well on the body and is easy to sew. The apparel industry loves bamboo because the fabric can be used in a variety of categories including fitness apparel, casual wear, formal wear and lingerie. organic http://organicclothing.blogs.com/

Bamboo is a natural plant fiber that is harvested most abundantly in India and China. It grows rapidly and requires little or no pesticides or water to grow. Bamboo plants also release lots of oxygen into the air. A grove of bamboo releases 35 percent more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees. Bamboo's impact on our planet's resources is minimal, making it a very sustainable plant fiber. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo_textiles

There are many ways to process the bamboo plant. One process uses water and enzymes to soften the fibers which has less of an impact on the environment, workers in the manufacturing plants and is the most eco-friendly method. A chemical method may seem to potentially harm the environment, but most reputable manufacturers (certified by Oeko-Tex) will use a closed-loop system, which uses large amounts of water to filter out the chemical for reuse instead of being disposed of in the earth. The water is also filtered and reused in the process. In contrast, the production of one cotton T-shirt-requires a vast amount of chemicals, insecticides and water.

Dorris Bogus is the Founder of KaMIT Sport, a North Texas-based women’s line of active wear clothing. For more information, visit KamitSport.com.