Better Bedding, Part IV

Posted by Joyce Benson   Add a Comment

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My fourth top pick of better bedding is made from bamboo, a fast-growing grass that can be processed into a soft, smooth fabric. Although bamboo is a rapidly renewable grass that doesn’t need pesticides or fertilizers to grow, sometimes turning the plant into fabric is less sustainable.

Harsh chemicals are still sometimes used in processing bamboo into fabric. Newer manufacturing facilities are usually better and use a process similar to that of lyocell production. According to Organic Clothing, “Amine oxides are non-toxic, weak alkalines that act as surfactants and help break down the cellulose structure of the bamboo. Hydrogen peroxide is added as a stabilizer and the solution is forced through spinnerets into a hardening bath which causes the thin streams of viscose bamboo solution to harden into bamboo cellulose fiber threads. The hardening bath is usually a solution of water and methanol, ethanol or a similar alcohol. The regenerated bamboo fiber threads can be spun into bamboo yarn for weaving into fabric.” The chemical manufacturing processes utilize a closed-loop system that captures, reclaims, and reuses almost all of the chemical solvents used in manufacturing instead of releasing them into and polluting water ways.

Bamboo fabrics are hypoallergenic, have inherent antimicrobial properties, and have a wonderful silky feel. It also keeps you cool and dry when it’s hot, and warm when it’s cold. It is machine washable too with minimal shrinkage. It’s also more wrinkle-resistant than cotton.

(Photo courtesy of Elite Linens.)

Tag(s): Bed and Bath, Gift Ideas, Going Green

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