Bamboo: the Basics

Bamboo is best known for three things: its wood-like texture; the rapid rate at which its rhizome-dependent structure allows it to grow, and its strength. Its texture enables it to be reliably used for building and food. It’s one of the fastest -growing plants in the world, which means it is highly replenish able as a natural resource. Its compressive strength is comparable to brick or hardwood; and its tensile strength is on par with that of steel.

If bamboo is like brick and steel, how can it be used for towels?

The simplicity of the answer may surprise you. Bamboo’s fibres are what do the trick. Bamboo towels may comprise of 100% bamboo fibres, or a combination of bamboo fibres and cotton. The latter offers superior durability and texture. When used to make a textile (a type of cloth or fabric), bamboo fibre is analogous to Rayon; a semisynthetic textile created by synthesizing regenerated cellulose.

Are there any benefits to using bamboo towels? If so, what are they?

Bamboo towels have lots of benefits. Given how quickly bamboo grows, and the amount of oxygen it releases into the atmosphere, using bamboo towels is an ecologically effective option. Bamboo towels thermo-regulate themselves, keeping you cool in the hot summers and warm in the cold winters. In terms of the environment, they’re fully sustainable and biodegradable, making them an easy choice for environmentally conscious people.

The benefits of bamboo towels don’t stop there. They are hypoallergenic, which means they tend not to cause allergic reactions or worsen one’s allergies. They are naturally antibacterial, antifungal, antistatic and anti-irritant, in other words, they resist bacteria, fungus, static electricity and skin irritation. An antibacterial and bacteriostatic bio-agent known as ‘Bamboo Kun’ is primarily responsible for bamboo towels’ antibacterial properties. These properties stand both the test of time and repeated washes in a washing machine. Lastly and perhaps most importantly to many, they are incredibly comfortable and silky soft!