Many eco-friendly people are aware of “sustainable” items like reclaimed wood and sustainably grown forests, or wind farms designed to provide long-term energy solutions. Are there
People are wearing plants? Actually, bamboo is able to be easily converted into a soft and silk-like material that offers tremendous durability and the ability to be machine washed on a regular basis.
It is also a material being used to make bath towels too. This is because it is incredibly absorbent in addition to being remarkably soft, and is naturally anti-microbial and hypo-allergenic as well. An added benefit is that it doesn’t require dyeing or bleaching in order to provide a pleasing “natural” color.
Is it a material that is safe for children and babies too? Actually it is an ideal option for children because of the natural anti-microbial properties of the fabric. Children with sensitive skin will find that bamboo is incredibly comfortable. The thing to remember, however, is that the fabrics must be washed in non-irritating or non-allergenic detergents too.
Many people also find that bamboo socks are remarkably comfortable and warm as well. This is because it is static free – so no clinging pants or skirts – it naturally wicks away moisture, and the fabric eliminates any odors from athlete’s foot too!
Bamboo is a superior material to cotton because it can be sustainably grown and harvested, it will not exhaust the soil in the same way that cotton farming will, and it is one of the fastest growing plants available. It has many excellent naturally occurring properties, and requires not fertilizers or pesticides in order to thrive. It can be used in “dressy” garments, but is equally valuable in athletic apparel too, and when a garment has reached the end of its life it can be tossed into a compost pile as well!
This article appears in Jun 24-30, 2010.