Bamboo Fiber: Bamboo pillows and blankets. Bamboo fiber

19.07.2019

V recent times Textiles with bamboo fiber filling are in great demand, including for the production of eco-friendly pillows and blankets. Often, opinions about the origin of the fiber differ: some consider it to be an artificial fiber, while others claim it is natural. However, bamboo fiber is considered to be one of the most natural man-made fibers. The manufacture of textile accessories from bamboo began only at the end of the 20th century. However, in such a short time, he managed to win the favor of a huge number of lovers of bamboo blankets and pillows.

Features of production:

Mechanical method - a feature of this approach is the processing of raw materials manually by pulling the thread, without the use of chemical components. This fiber processing method is very laborious and costly. The fiber produced by this method is suitable for true connoisseurs of environmentally friendly products. On products from this type of production, you can find the marking "bamboo linen", or more simply, bamboo linen.
Chemical - this method is very similar to the production of viscose, well known to us, where a finished fiber is obtained using chemical treatment. It is absolutely harmless, since as a result of production, all chemical components are thoroughly washed. On such products you can find the marking "bamboo viscose" or bamboo viscose, but often manufacturers indicate on their products simply "bamboo" and it becomes almost impossible to understand what type of production this product belongs to.

Unique properties and benefits of bamboo fiber:

Environmental friendliness It should be noted that bamboo is a weed plant, and the absence of fertilizers has a beneficial effect on its natural composition. In addition, all chemical impurities used in the production of bamboo fiber are completely washed out of the yarn.
Antibacterial - a very remarkable fact is that bamboo is practically not damaged by pests due to the presence of bactericidal substances in it, which also remain after it has been processed. And due to its hypoallergenicity, it is perfect for people with delicate skin and allergy sufferers.
Air permeability - due to the voids and notches in the fiber formed during production, excellent conditions for air exchange are created.
Strength - bamboo has long been famous for its strength, and in Asian countries, paper was made from bamboo fiber, some compared it in strength to steel. Bamboo fiber is durable both dry and wet.
Easy to clean - bedding does not require much maintenance, so it can be safely machine washed. Such products perfectly retain their shape and will delight with their unpretentiousness for a long time.

Bamboo fiber pillows

Bamboo fiber has not so long been used in the production of pillows, but even in such a relatively short period of time, they were able to fall in love with a large number of buyers. Due to their antibacterial ability to kill harmful bacteria and fungi, these pillows have become simply indispensable for people with allergies, besides, the presence of amino acids found in bamboo fiber has a beneficial effect on the skin. The big advantage of these pillows is that they do not accumulate odors, which means your sleep will be sound and carefree.

Bamboo Fiber Blankets

Bamboo blankets have good air exchange and high thermoregulation at any time of the year, besides, they are very light and airy. Do not forget about the high wear resistance of bamboo fiber, so this blanket will delight you for a long time.

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on Earth. Some varieties of bamboo can grow 1 meter per day.

Bamboo Bedding Care:

bamboo accessories are highly durable, so they are washed not only by hand, but also in the machine;
dry cleaning is also used to care for pillows and blankets. When washing in a typewriter with special means, it is worth setting the temperature to no more than 30 degrees and not pressing hard, no more than 400 revolutions;
dry cleaning and the use of bleaching agents for bamboo is strictly prohibited;
products with bamboo filler should be laid horizontally when drying and away from sunlight;
it is better not to iron bedding bamboo products. In this case, the iron can "close" the pores of the bamboo, and the fiber can lose its properties;
bamboo supplies are stored in a ventilated area.

Bamboo: the most natural of man-made fibers

The result of innovations in the textile industry is the constant renewal of its assortment. One of the relatively recent developments in this area was bamboo fabric, which immediately aroused interest among fans of natural materials. However, those who want to figure out what it is, are very surprised to learn that this textile is most often a type of viscose. And at the same time, bamboo fiber has amazing characteristics that especially attract adherents of naturalness and a healthy lifestyle.

Bamboo grows in hot climates and has a number of unique properties. First of all, it is unpretentious, it can be grown without the use of chemicals, and besides, its herbaceous stems contain many substances useful for the human body. Bamboo grows more than a meter per day and does not die after cutting, which makes the cultivation of this plant very profitable. Its fibers, like other biological residues, decompose with the help of microorganisms, without polluting the natural environment.

Like all artificial (not to be confused with!) Materials, bamboo fiber is made from cellulose. To obtain it, the crushed stems of this plant are used, which can then be processed in two ways:

Softening with enzymes, resulting in the formation of rather long and slightly rough threads, reminiscent of flax. Such bamboo fibers are quite expensive, but they are as close to natural as possible, are considered the most environmentally friendly and are labeled "bamboo linen";
The alkalinization reaction, for which sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide are used. The result is a pulp. It is pressed through filters of various thicknesses to obtain regenerated bleached fiber. This material is a type of viscose and is labeled "bamboo viscose (rayon)". Although the production itself is classified as harmful, the threads obtained in this way do not contain any toxic reagents, since at the end of the technological process residues of chemicals are washed out of them.

The most common is bamboo fiber obtained by the second method.... It is used as an additive to cotton or as an independent raw material.

Bamboo viscose fabric is soft, highly hygroscopic, breathable and able to regulate body surface temperature. In addition, this textile also has such properties as:

strength (compared to conventional viscose);
hypoallergenic;
antibacterial and antifungal effect, which lasts up to 5 washing cycles (material from raw materials obtained by a mechanical method);
good breathability;
the ability to absorb large amounts of moisture;
softness, elasticity, silky shine;
UV protection;
pleasant sensation on contact with the skin;
the ability to create a comfortable temperature at the body surface;
low crease;
ease of washing;
no shrinkage;
maintaining an attractive look up to 500 wash cycles;
preservation of nature.

It is not surprising that a variety of bamboo products, which first appeared in 2000, have already gained recognition and are in great demand among customers. They are slightly more expensive than cotton, but they are very pleasant to wear.

Bamboo things cool in the heat and warm in the cool, the skin under them never sweats or chafes.

The structure of the fibers allows dyes to penetrate deeply into their structure, so products made from them can be dyed in the brightest colors, and they will not fade over time.

What to sew from bamboo?

The features of the material also determine the scope of its application. Since bamboo fabric absorbs water very well, it is used for towels, bathrobes, and various bathing accessories. It is also used to make bedding sets that resemble satin, and bamboo fiber is used to make filler for pillows and blankets. This bed turns out to be very comfortable and is especially recommended for allergy sufferers, since it is not only environmentally friendly, but also does not collect dust. Safe natural bamboo fiber filler is also recommended for children's toys. Knitted fabric from these threads is widespread. It is used for socks, T-shirts, underwear, etc., often mixed with cotton, elastane and other materials.

It is also important that fabrics made from these fibers can be given any texture - linen, denim, silk, jacquard, etc. This contributes to their widespread use for the manufacture of a wide variety of wardrobe items - from baby bodysuits to evening dresses. Such bamboo clothes are not only comfortable and safe, but also beautiful. In addition, it washes well, wrinkles a little and retains its appearance for a long time. A special area where bamboo products are widely used is medicine. This highly absorbent antiseptic fabric is used for dressings, disposable towels and other accessories. Overalls for medical workers are also sewn from it.

How to care for

When purchasing a thing that contains bamboo threads, you must immediately familiarize yourself with the washing and ironing rules indicated on its label and follow them exactly. In general, it is assumed that this material can be washed by hand or in a gentle machine mode at a temperature of 30 degrees. You should use mild detergents without bleaching, and it is better not to use the spin mode. It is not necessary to iron things that are well straightened during drying, but if necessary, this is done in the "Silk" mode, without steaming or splashing with water.

Mixed products, in which the proportion of bamboo does not exceed 70%, can be washed at 40 degrees and wrung out at a speed of no more than 400, the same applies to denim items. However, it must be remembered that such fiber dries much longer than cotton. In addition, during storage, it is better to keep things in dry places, providing good air access.

Bamboo-filled pillows and blankets should be regularly ventilated, they are not afraid of sunlight and artificial heat sources, if the temperature does not exceed 30 degrees. If necessary, washing it is carried out in a gentle mode with a low speed, without using bleaches and conditioners. To dry, the pillow or blanket must be placed horizontally, it is desirable to provide air access to the bottom side. You need to store such bedding in a dry and warm place, without packaging (this also applies to new products), regularly ventilating and whipping.

"New man-made fibers for the manufacture of fabrics - Bamboo and Lyocell"
BAMBOO FABRICS
REFERENCE

Bamboo is a tropical and subtropical herb with an extensive root system that grows naturally in Asia and the Americas. It has a special structure - hollow inside with horizontal cross-sections.

Bamboo is the most prolific and fastest growing plant in the world. It grows one centimeter per day, and the growth of some species in certain periods of the year reaches 1 m per day. Some types of bamboo grow up to 22 meters per month. Almost all bamboo grows to enormous sizes (up to 38 meters).

Bamboo blooms very rarely - once every 25 years, very abundantly and at the same time in large areas.

Its sprouts can easily break through any obstacle that stands in its way. This plant is unusually strong. It is stronger than steel at break.

The plant becomes suitable for processing within 4 years after planting, while the age of the trees used to produce other types of cellulose fiber (for example, viscose) is on average 30-40 years.

Unlike most trees, cutting down bamboo does not destroy the plant itself or damage the topsoil. This allows the plant to recover quickly. After pruning, the bamboo will immediately sprout new stems.

It is also important that the natural resources of bamboo are practically inexhaustible. Bamboo is ubiquitous in the tropics and subtropics. In Asia, this plant is considered a weed. China - the kingdom of bamboo - ranks first in the world in terms of the area of bamboo groves, stocks and annual harvest of bamboo.

There are over a thousand documented uses of bamboo.

It began to be cultivated as a raw material for the textile industry relatively recently, due to the remoteness of its growing area.

LEGENDS
Numerous beliefs and omens are associated with bamboo. In China it symbolizes longevity, in India it is a symbol of friendship. In the Philippines, peasants believe that bamboo attracts happiness.

Since bamboo has very straight growth and fresh green shoots and foliage, it is considered a symbol of purity in Japan. Together with pine branches and sakura blossoms, bamboo is a symbol of the Land of the Rising Sun. At the end of the year, bunches of pine branches and bamboo shoots (kadomatsu) appear on every front door in Japan, which, according to the Japanese, attract happiness to the house in the coming year.

In some cultures of Asia, it is believed that all of humanity originated from the internodes of bamboo shoots. And in Japan and Malaysia, there are beliefs about a young (and very tiny) girl who lives in a bamboo trunk and appears if you cut a shoot.

According to the Eastern teachings of Feng Shui, bamboo is a symbol of health, longevity, eternal youth, great and indomitable vitality and energy, resistance to adversity (thanks to its properties, it can grow rapidly and overcome obstacles). And the Chinese character, consisting of two bamboo sticks, symbolizes longevity.

BAMBOO FIBER
Bamboo fiber - an innovation in textile production, one of the most promising developments - was invented by the Japanese. It has attracted the attention of scientists all over the world, as it meets all the requirements of modern consumers. More recently, only wealthy people could afford clothes made from the revolutionary new bamboo fiber. Now bamboo fiber is widely known as a natural, environmentally friendly, high-quality and safe product of the textile industry of the XXI century.

PRODUCTION
Bamboo fiber - one of the types of regenerated cellulose fiber - is not obtained directly from a plant, like linen or cotton, but, by analogy with viscose, from cellulose produced from a plant (and therefore, in terms of fineness and whiteness, it resembles classic viscose).

In addition to the fact that the raw materials for the production of bamboo fiber initially lack any agricultural chemistry, chemistry is also not involved in the transformation of bamboo into fabric - the fiber production process is completely based on a simple physical effect: steaming and boiling, so it does not harm the environment.

In the production of bamboo fiber, the technology of mercerization is often used - treatment with a soda solution. Mercerized bamboo acquires a softness and characteristic silky sheen. Such fabric is the most durable and hygroscopic.

APPLICATION
The specific properties of bamboo fiber make it possible to use it in the production of a wide variety of fabrics - from costume to linen, from fashionable "silk" to denim. But bamboo is best suited for the production of shirts and blouses. "The ideal suit for winter should be made of wool, and the ideal summer suit should be made of bamboo."

Not only clothes are also made from bamboo, but also home textiles and bedding.

PROPERTIES
Environmental friendliness
Bamboo is the most viable natural resource, its cultivation does not require the use of fertilizers and pesticides, which has a beneficial effect on the environment.

In addition, the rapid growth and absence of pollution in the places where bamboo grows do not allow the accumulation of harmful substances in its trunks.

Also, bamboo fiber is decomposed by microorganisms in the soil, so that the environment is not polluted.

The appearance and quality of bamboo fabrics
In terms of subtlety and whiteness, bamboo resembles classic viscose, it is soft and silky.

Bamboo fabrics have a light natural shine and a spectacular appearance, so they look more chic than cotton ones.

The bamboo fiber fabric is very noble. It is softer than the softest cotton and very pleasant to the touch, reminiscent of silk and cashmere in quality.

Bamboo clothing is very light, lighter than cotton, and gives a feeling of weightlessness.

Breathability (above cotton)
Due to the special structure with natural elongated "voids" in the horizontal section, experts call bamboo fiber "breathable". Bamboo fiber has excellent breathability, allowing the skin to breathe freely.

Hygroscopicity
Bamboo fiber has an unusually porous structure (a structure of micropores and micropertures), which makes it much more hygroscopic than cotton: moisture is instantly absorbed by the fabric (absorbed many times faster than cotton) and evaporates, providing an optimal level of moisture. Thus, a person wearing bamboo fiber products practically does not sweat, the fabric does not stick to the skin and dries quickly.

Thanks to this, clothes with bamboo fiber create an excellent microclimate, regulate (equalize) body temperature. This is especially important in hot weather. Studies show that at high temperatures, wearing bamboo fiber clothing feels as if the air temperature is 1 to 2 degrees cooler. And in winter, such fabrics, on the contrary, warm. This property gives incomparable comfort to bamboo products.

Antibacterial properties
Bamboo fiber has unique properties - antibacterial or bactericidal (reduces inflammation of the skin), deodorant (prevents odors) and stops the growth of bacteria. Bamboo does not rot or decompose by pathogens.

Studies have shown that, unlike other antimicrobial fabrics that require special chemical treatment, bamboo fabric has natural antimicrobial properties (bamboo itself is practically not attacked by pests in nature) due to a natural antibacterial agent associated with a cellulose molecule from bamboo. The ingredient that prevents bacteria from growing is called "bamboo kun". Test results show that more than 70% of the bacteria placed on bamboo fiber have been killed naturally. Bamboo retains its antibacterial properties during fiber production. It has also been shown that even after 50 washes, the fiber retains its antibacterial properties with suppression of bacterial growth by more than 70%.

Good for your health
Research has shown that the amino acids found in bamboo have a beneficial effect on human skin, improving its energy balance.

Hypoallergenic
Thanks to their natural antibacterial properties, bamboo fiber products are suitable for people with allergies and asthma.

Crease resistance
The peculiarity of this fiber is that it is twice as dense, and therefore heavier than cotton. The extra weight of the bamboo fiber fabric does not wrinkle and minimizes creasing. At the same time, bamboo fabrics drape perfectly and are comfortable to wear.

Strength
In Asia, bamboo is traditionally used in handcrafting paper. Many old manuscripts have survived thanks to the fact that they were written on bamboo paper, which is particularly durable.
Some varieties of bamboo have a tensile force equivalent to steel.
With the modern production process, it has become possible to obtain bamboo fiber for the production of yarn and fabric. The bamboo fiber from which yarns and fabrics are made is very durable! High dry and wet strength.

Wear resistance
Bamboo fabrics have good wear resistance and wash resistance. They retain their unique properties even after repeated washing and drying.

Antistatic effect
Bamboo fiber has a natural anti-static effect.

Color fastness
Naturally, bamboo fiber is creamy, pale yellow in color, but easily dyed in other colors. In the process of use, bamboo fabric does not lose its original color up to 500 washes.

UV protection
Another distinctive feature of bamboo fiber is UV protection. Bamboo reduces the harmful effects of the sun.

MIXED FABRICS WITH BAMBOO FIBER
Due to its hygroscopic properties, bamboo fiber has become actively used in sports fabrics, especially in two-layer ones (on the front side - polyester, on the inside - bamboo). Bamboo fabrics go well with both luxurious and even the most basic materials.

Just 50% bamboo is enough to change the properties of the usual cotton fabric.

When 33% silk is added to the bamboo fiber, a new fabric is obtained that resembles in its properties a mixture of silk and luxury cotton - extremely light to the touch and very comfortable.

Artificial fiber LYOCELL® (TENCEL®)

Lyocell® is a man-made fiber made from eucalyptus wood pulp using an organic solvent N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide. This is a new generation viscose fiber.

The production is practically waste-free, does not harm the environment, and the fiber itself is environmentally friendly and does not cause allergies.

Lyocell® was first produced in 1987 (88) in the UK by Courtaulds Fibers UK at the S25 pilot plant. And in 1991 it was presented to consumers as a type of viscose. In 1997, a lyosel plant was put into operation. In 1998, Hefel Textil AG introduced Micro-Lyocell products to the world market for the first time.

Lyocell has various commercial names:

It has been produced in the USA since 1993 by Lenzing Inc under the Tencel® trademark;
in Russia - Orcel® (VNIIIPV - RF, Mytishchi).
Now the only manufacturer of this fiber is Lenzing Inc (USA).

Lyocell is the most luxurious cellulose fiber available. It has great innovation potential - it enables textile manufacturers to develop options that feel and visually match silk, wool or cotton. It is believed that Lyocell fabrics can be a serious competitor to fabrics made from natural fibers.

Sometimes a thread is made from 100% Lyocell, but this is a very expensive material. In the production of Lyocell it is usually used in different formulations, for example, lyocell with elastane, lyocell with modal and elastane (modal).

PROPERTIES
Lyocell fiber and materials based on it are more similar in physical properties to cotton than to viscose.

Lyocell appearance and quality
Lyocell fabrics have the appearance of natural fabrics, are pleasant to the touch and give a feeling of great comfort - they are warm, light and delicate. Lyocell has a softer and more pliable surface than wool or cotton.

High aesthetic performance: Lyocell has a smooth, homogeneous texture (at the same time does not slip), looks like dense wet silk and has an ashy shade, slightly velvety and has a slight soft shine inherent in natural silk, while touching the skin like cotton.

Lyocell stains well.

Hypoallergenic
Lyocell is an environmentally friendly, pesticide-free fiber with a smooth surface. Thanks to its unique bactericidal properties, it provides hygiene by limiting the growth of bacteria. All this is very good for people with sensitive skin and therefore does not cause allergies.

Strength
The fiber has high tensile strength, both dry and wet. When wet, it is three times stronger than viscose. Stronger than cotton.

Elasticity
It has good elasticity and resilience characteristics, and is more elastic than cotton.

Crease resistance
Low creasing when worn (less creasing than cotton, rayon or linen). Hanging a Lyocell dress in a bathroom with warm, humid air will smooth it out.

Air permeability
Like other cellulose materials, Lyocell is highly breathable, i.e. breathes well.

Hygroscopicity
In terms of hygroscopicity and moisture yield, it surpasses cotton (absorbs and removes moisture by 50% more than cotton) or silk, but is inferior to wool, viscose, flax.

Lyocell's excellent moisture exchange keeps the body dry and keeps the garments looking after frequent washes. Maintains an optimal humidity level depending on the ambient temperature: dry and warm in winter, dry and cool in summer.

Hygiene
The dry climate in which eucalyptus grows naturally inhibits the formation of various bacteria. Therefore, Lyocell also has a slight antibacterial effect. Thanks to these unique bactericidal properties and regulation of air humidity, Lyocell limits the formation of dust, the growth of bacteria; prevents the spread of mites and mold.

Coloration
It can be beautifully colored, and deep tones are especially beautiful, retains color fastness.

Exploitation
Non-pilling, high resistance to washing.

Lyocell was awarded for its unique properties by the Austrian Federal Ministry for the Environment and was awarded a gold medal in 1998.

NEGATIVE PROPERTIES
Like other natural materials, it is susceptible to mold;
Has a tendency to shrink;
Due to the high orientation of macromolecules, the fiber has a reduced wear resistance and deformability.
CARE REQUIREMENTS
Machine wash at 40 ° C is acceptable, ironing is desirable from the wrong side.

My acquaintance with bamboo happened thanks to the site.

After that, I involuntarily began to pay attention to bamboo fiber products in stores.
After some time I asked my wife what she knew on this topic. She took out a small "bamboo" towel she had bought from the store from the closet. Light, delicate and silky, very pleasant to the body - the first impression. I immediately decided to order. The most affordable prices were for Ali. I already wrote about the first experience of buying towels.

But he did not calm down. I ordered it from another seller. This one does not seem to be fooled. Anyone who has ever felt a bamboo towel, I think, will determine with closed eyes where is bamboo and where is cotton.
First, let's see in what form it came.

A towel weighing 370 grams came. The seller promised 390. But I think that this is a variation within the manufacturing error.

Could there be a bamboo towel. Remember wood shirts? I mean viscose.

Material from Wikipedia.

Bamboo fiber is regenerated cellulose fiber made from bamboo stem. Its fineness and whiteness resembles viscose, has a higher strength.
There are two methods of making bamboo fiber from bamboo, each of which is preceded by chopping the bamboo.
Chemical treatment - hydrolysis-alkalinization. Caustic soda (NaOH) converts bamboo pulp into regenerated cellulose fiber (softens it). Carbon disulfide (CS2) is used for hydrolysis-alkalinization combined with multi-phase bleaching. This method is not environmentally friendly, but is used most often due to its fiber production rate. Toxic process residues are washed out of the yarn during subsequent processing.
Mechanical processing (the same as when processing flax and hemp). The bamboo pulp is softened by enzymes, after which individual fibers are combed out of it. This is an expensive method, but environmentally friendly.

Naturally, the second method disappears due to its high cost.
Can a fabric be made of wood? Although bamboo is grass. But, firstly, the fabric is made even from wood (viscose). I wore a viscose shirt and am very pleased. Viscose has absorbed the best qualities of cotton (absorbs sweat well, breathes) and synthetics (wears well, iron well and does not wrinkle like cotton). The luster of viscose fiber products is comparable to silk, for which they are called "artificial silk". And why is bamboo worse?
But in order to understand what bamboo fiber is, let's get acquainted with what kind of fibers there are in general.
Classification of textile fibers
The fiber is a flexible, strong body, the length of which is many times greater than the transverse dimension.
Textile fibers are fibers that are used to make yarns, threads, fabrics and other textiles. The classification of fibers is based on their origin (production method) and chemical composition.

Bamboo, like viscose, is a chemical fiber, but unlike synthetics, it is artificial, that is, it is made from plant material by means of chemical processing. Synthetic fibers are (usually) made from oil and gas.
If my opinion is interesting, after getting acquainted with a bamboo towel, there is no desire to return to cotton. Stop by the store and feel for cotton and bamboo towels. And you will feel the difference. They also sell mixes with different percentages of cotton and bamboo fiber. Naturally, these towels lose their softness in proportion to their cotton content.
Bamboo fiber is a type of cellulose fiber. Therefore, in terms of subtlety and whiteness, it resembles viscose. But unlike classical viscose, the fabric based on bamboo fiber has a higher strength, increased hygroscopicity, a characteristic silky shine, amazing softness.
I will not rewrite what the internet writes. There are some truth and marketing gimmicks. I will carry out my tests, I will share my impressions of my purchase.
.

I will not repeat the author's experiences (copyright infringement). You can easily read them in the specified review. Just add my own. The experiment will involve
5 towels. All towels, after washing, are not ironed, therefore they do not possess presentability. So, here are the samples.
1) Bamboo towel purchased offline.
2) A bamboo towel that I bought in China, about which a review.
3) Terry towel from the times of the USSR.
4) Microfiber towel (synthetic) from China, reviewed in the previous review.
5) Wafer towel from the times of the USSR.

I washed all the towels in the washing machine and wrung them out at 1000 rpm. Then he hung it on the glassed-in balcony with the sash open. The average temperature on the balcony is 31 degrees, humidity is 50%. Here's what happened.

Moisture Retention Ratio is the wet weight divided by the dry weight.
It clearly shows how much moisture a towel can hold per unit of weight. If we go to numbers, then every 100 grams of bamboo fiber can hold about 80 grams of water (this should be clearer). This is after a spin of 1000 rpm.
As you can see from the last line of the table, a microfiber towel showed itself worst of all during the tests. Well, bamboo comes first. Moreover, the test results showed that the towel purchased offline is no different from the monitored towel purchased in China.
The drying speed does not depend on the material, but completely depends on the amount of remaining moisture. That is why "bamboo" dries the longest.
If anyone has doubts, do your own experiments. I have already decided and ordered two more. Well, at the end for those who like to track tracks.

When I was studying, the USSR knew nothing about bamboo fiber. Therefore, I am studying the topic with you.

I came across this fiber when I bought a towel in the Crimea. There I read a brochure about bamboo fiber. I used a towel, washed it without conditioner. I sat and thought that in Moscow I would not have time to buy them and went back to the store. I bought it in different colors and sizes. Bright orange to white. I brought it home. I have been using it for seven years. They are still pleasing, and I have no complaints about the fiber.

Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world. Bamboo blooms very rarely - once every 25 years, very abundantly and at the same time in large areas.
Its sprouts break through any obstacle that gets in its way. This plant is unusually strong. It is stronger than steel at break.

Numerous beliefs and omens are associated with bamboo. In China, it symbolizes longevity,
in India is a symbol of friendship. In Japan, it is considered a symbol of purity.

Cultivation of bamboo as a raw material for the textile industry has become relatively recent.

Bamboo fiber - an innovation in textile production, one of the most promising developments - was invented by the Japanese. It attracted the attention of scientists all over the world, as it meets all the requirements of modern consumers.
Now bamboo fiber is widely known as natural environmentally friendly,
high quality and safe product of the textile industry of the XXI century.

PROPERTIES of bamboo fiber

Environmental friendliness

Bamboo is the most viable natural resource, its cultivation does not require the use of fertilizers and pesticides, which has a beneficial effect on the environment.

In addition, the rapid growth and absence of pollution in the places where bamboo grows do not allow the accumulation of harmful substances in its trunks.

Also, bamboo fiber is decomposed by microorganisms in the soil, so that the environment is not polluted.

The appearance and quality of bamboo fabrics

In terms of subtlety and whiteness, bamboo resembles classic viscose, the fabric is soft and silky.

Bamboo fabrics have a light natural shine and a spectacular appearance, therefore they look more chic than cotton ones.

The bamboo fiber fabric is very noble. It is softer than the softest cotton and very pleasant to the touch, reminiscent of silk and cashmere in quality.

Bamboo clothing is very lightweight, lighter than cotton, and gives a feeling of weightlessness.

Breathability (above cotton)

Due to the special structure with natural elongated (voids) in horizontal section, experts call bamboo fiber (breathable). Bamboo fiber has excellent breathability, allowing the skin to breathe freely.

Hygroscopicity

Bamboo fiber has an unusually porous structure (a structure of micropores and micropertures), which makes it much more hygroscopic than cotton: moisture is instantly absorbed by the fabric (absorbed many times faster than cotton) and evaporates, providing an optimal level of moisture. Thus, a person wearing bamboo fiber products practically does not sweat, the fabric does not stick to the skin and dries quickly.

Antibacterial properties

Bamboo fiber has unique properties - antibacterial or bactericidal (reduces inflammation of the skin), deodorant (prevents odors) and stops the growth of bacteria. Bamboo does not rot or decompose by pathogens.

Studies have shown that, unlike other antimicrobial fabrics that require special chemical processing, bamboo fabric has natural antimicrobial properties (bamboo itself is practically not attacked by pests in nature) due to a natural antibacterial agent associated with a cellulose molecule from bamboo. The ingredient that prevents bacteria from growing is called bamboo kun. Test results show that more than 70% of the bacteria placed on bamboo fiber were killed naturally. Bamboo retains its antibacterial properties during fiber production. It has also been shown that even after 50 washes, the fiber retains its antibacterial properties with suppression of bacterial growth by more than 70%.

Good for your health

Studies have shown that the amino acids in bamboo have a beneficial effect on human skin, improving its energy balance.

Hypoallergenic

Thanks to their natural antibacterial properties, bamboo fiber products are suitable for people with allergies and asthma.

Crease resistance

The peculiarity of this fiber is that it is twice as dense, and therefore heavier than cotton. The extra weight of the bamboo fiber fabric does not wrinkle and minimizes creasing. At the same time, bamboo fabrics drape perfectly and are comfortable to wear.

Strength

In Asia, bamboo is traditionally used in handcrafting paper. Many old manuscripts have survived thanks to the fact that they were written on bamboo paper, which is particularly durable.

Some varieties of bamboo have a tensile force equivalent to steel.
With the modern production process, it has become possible to obtain bamboo fiber for the production of yarn and fabric. The bamboo fiber from which yarns and fabrics are made is very durable! High dry and wet strength.

Wear resistance

Bamboo fabrics have good wear resistance and wash resistance. They retain their unique properties even after repeated washing and drying.

Antistatic effect

Bamboo fiber has a natural anti-static effect.

Color fastness

In its natural state, bamboo fiber is creamy, pale yellow in color, but it is easily dyed in other colors. In the process of use, bamboo fabric does not lose its original color up to 500 washes.

UV protection

Another distinctive feature of bamboo fiber is UV protection. Bamboo reduces the harmful effects of the sun.