At Earthly Threads, we often say bamboo is more than just a plant. It’s a promise. A promise of comfort, sustainability, and conscious living. But with so much buzz around bamboo fabrics, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. What’s real? What’s popular? Today, we’re peeling back the layers to explore the common and uncommon truths about bamboo.
Truth #1: Bamboo Viscose Is Not the Same as Raw Bamboo
Common Misconception: Many believe bamboo clothing is made directly from the bamboo stalk, but that’s not entirely accurate.
The Truth: Most bamboo apparel, including Earthly Threads garments, is made from bamboo viscose, which is a semi-synthetic fiber created through a chemical process. The bamboo is first pulped and then processed using solvents, such as sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide, to form viscose fibers. While this process sounds complex, it transforms bamboo into an incredibly soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic textile.
Why It Matters: This process is what gives bamboo clothing its signature drape and luxuriously soft touch. Responsible manufacturers, like ours, ensure that this process is done safely and with sustainability in mind.
Truth #2: Bamboo Fabric Incredibly Absorbent and Thermoregulating
Common Knowledge: Bamboo is breathable.
Uncommon Truth: Bamboo viscose can absorb up to 3 times its weight in water, making it one of the most effective moisture-wicking fabrics available.
That’s why it’s such a game-changer for pajamas, loungewear, and bedding. Bamboo responds to your body when you’re a hot sleeper, navigating hormonal shifts, or just crave breathable fabric against your skin. It keeps you cool in summer and insulates warmth in winter. A study in the Journal of Tectile and Apparel, Technology and Management found that regenerated bamboo fabrics exhibited "superior water vapor and air permeability: compared to cotton and viscose rayon, improving breathability and overall comfort. No more night sweats or stuffy sheets.
Truth #3: Bamboo Is One of the Most Renewable Plants on the Planet
Known Fact: Bamboo grows fast.
Did you also know that bamboo can grow up to 3 feet in a single day, requires no pesticides, and regenerates from its own root system, so there's no need to replant. Compared to cotton, bamboo uses approximately one-third less water, according to data from the World Wildlife Fund.
This makes it a sustainable alternative for eco-conscious consumers looking to reduce their footprint without compromising comfort.
Truth #4: Bamboo Fabric Is Not Always Organic
While bamboo as a plant can be grown organically, the term organic doesn’t always apply to the final fabric unless it has certified organic processing practices.
Look for certifications like OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 or GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) to ensure that bamboo products are free from harmful chemicals and produced under responsible conditions.
Earthly Threads only works with suppliers who meet these rigorous standards, so you can rest easy knowing your clothes and sheets are clean, gentle, and safe.
Truth #5: Bamboo Requires Some Care (It’s Easy)
Though bamboo fabric is naturally durable, it thrives when treated with love. So, when treating it, make sure to:
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Wash in cold water
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Use a gentle, eco-friendly detergent
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Avoid fabric softeners and bleach
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Line dry or tumble dry on low
A 2015 study in the Textile Research Journal showed that bamboo viscose retains its softness and structural integrity best under low-heat conditions, making gentle care the key to its longevity. At Earthly Threads, we see care as an extension of connection to your clothing, comfort, and the planet.
The Essence of Bamboo
Bamboo’s journey from hardy stalk to silky-soft fabric is more than a process, but also a transformation. It carries with it the strength of nature, the innovation of science, and the warmth of intention. At Earthly Threads, we don’t just celebrate bamboo for what it is. We honor what it becomes in your life: something soft, breathable, ethical, and endlessly comforting. Its purpose is to elevate your lifestyle through sleep and comfort.
Whether you’re curled up in our bedding, stepping into our loungewear, or gifting a moment of softness to someone you love, you choose more than fabric. You choose the truth behind the threads.
Sources:
OEKO-TEX®. (n.d.). Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX®.
https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/oeko-tex-standard-100
Shen, L., Worrell, E., & Patel, M. K. (2015). Environmental impact assessment of man-made cellulose fibres. Journal of Cleaner Production, 108, 862–872.
Toms Guide. (2023). What is OEKO-TEX Standard 100?
https://www.tomsguide.com/features/what-is-oeko-tex-standard-100
WWF. (n.d.). The impact of textiles on water. https://www.worldwildlife.org
Yusuf, M., & Khan, M. A. (2012). A comparative study of regenerated bamboo, cotton and viscose rayon fabrics – Part 1: Selected comfort properties. Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, 7(4).
