BAMBOO: PLANT-BASED/ANIMAL-FRIENDLY/VEGAN YARN

Where does bamboo yarn come from? Bamboo yarn is derived from the bamboo tree native to the Asian continent and is used to make a variety of cloth materials. There are several different types of bamboo yarn, but most claim to be 100 percent treated bamboo, cruelty-free and eco-friendly yarns. The reasons for this enthusiasm is two-fold: first, bamboo has been used naturally for many years in China, Japan and the other nations of Asia, and creating products from the bamboo allows the cultures to keep their heritage intact and make use of the same materials they have had for generations.

ECO-FRIENDLY SUSTAINABLE YARN

Most importantly to lovers of this naturally produced fiber, bamboo as a plant is considered environmentally sustainable, as it requires no pesticides to enhance its growth and is one of the most easily replenishable plants in the world, growing swiftly as long as there is a dependable source of water nearby. The products made from bamboo are durable and biodegradable, one of bamboos neatest characteristics.

BAMBOO YARN IS MADE LIKE PAPER

How is bamboo yarn made? Bamboo yarn is created through a distillation and bleaching process that is very similar to how paper products are made from other kinds of trees. The wood and leaves of the bamboo tree are harvested and ground into small parts. These parts are then steeped in a mixture of water and chemicals until they become soft, and then shredded apart until the individual fibers of the bamboo are released and form a pulp. This pulp is easy to manipulate and can be bonded again into many different shapes, but first it must be processed. The pulp is run through several filters that take away unwanted contaminants and unnecessary pdivs and then put through a bleaching process that turns the pulp white. Once the pulp is whitened, it can be dyed with a variety of different colors, bonded again into long fibers and wound into yarn.

BAMBOO YARN IS BREATHABLE AND SWEAT-RESISTANT YARN

What are the special qualities of Bamboo Yarn? As a fabric, bamboo, when the fiber is treated correctly, becomes soft and flowing, with a tendency to take on color well and strong water permeability. This means towels made from bamboo yarn can easily absorb liquid. Clothes made from the same are both breathable and sweat-resistant. Bamboo yarn is also used to make mats, stockings, bed clothes and undergarments. Other types of bamboo yarn go to making surgical clothes, masks and other types of medical cloth. This is due, in part, to the qualities of the naturally present chemical in bamboo wood known as "bamboo kun," which resists pests and bacteria. Advocates of bamboo claim that these chemical continue into bamboo yarn and help fight bacteria in its diverse forms.