No, bamboo isn’t a tree, but a grass that relates to integrity and noble character. It remains green during the winter, withstanding wind and snow.
Bamboo- what you need to know
The giant grass that acts as trees in the forest eco-system is well known for its ability to produce wood. It grows larger than other non-woody relatives. It’s “naturally organic” and grows like a weed. It doesn’t need any irrigation, pesticides or fertilizers which gives it an amazing eco-advantage over cotton. There’s plenty of irrigation and pesticide required when it comes to growing cotton.
The basic info
- Bamboo grows in various climates, from cold mountains to hot tropical areas around the world. You’re not going to find it in the USA or Continental Europe, though.
- Its size ranges from 1-2 inches high to impressively high plants, 80 foot tall. Some species may grow 1.5-2 inches per hour.
- There are no less than 70 genera (this is the name for a group of plants that are linked through their common properties), divided in more than 1,400 species.
- It can take extremes of drowning and drought, giving 40% more oxygen than a regular hardwood forest (on the same size of land). It’s fundamental for maintaining the balance between carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere.
- It presents a wide spread root system and large canopy, being able to reduce rain runoff. This is going to reduce the risk for soil erosion.
Harvesting cycles- why are they so important?
Another great thing about bamboo is that it has a very short rotation period. The trees need 20-50 years before getting harvested, but bamboo gets mature pretty fast and may be harvested 2-3 years to 5-7 years.
The roots of bamboo (also known as rhizomes) are able to grow without stopping for more than 100 years.
In the case of regular trees, the roots system is going to die, releasing the stored carbon in the air.
On the other hand, when bamboo is harvested the roots keep on thriving, replenishing themselves. It’s going to take only a couple of years until they can be harvested once again. This is essential for the sustainability of bamboo and everything that is made with it.
Bamboo is cheaper to plant, grows really fast and doesn’t need much arable land space either. When it comes to harvesting, it involves less fossil fuel so its impact on the environment is less harmful as well.
How is bamboo used?
Bamboo has various uses especially in China, within various mountain communities. Bamboo is used as construction material, food, utensils, material for agricultural tools, music instruments. It’s also commonly used as ornamental plants.
What are its qualities?
Bamboo fiber presents amazing abilities which recommends it as a great material in the bedding industry.
Here are some of its qualities:
- It provides UV radiation protection
- It’s breathable
- It’s anti-bacterial
- It’s toxin free
- It’s cool and soft
- It’s anti-static
- It’s naturally hypo-allergenic
On top of everything else, bamboo is good for moisture absorption, providing efficient ventilation. The micro gaps and micro holes in the cross section explain why bamboo wicks moisture away from the skin better than other types of fabric.
- Note: Bamboo is a great help when fighting against pollution due to its high nitrogen consumption. It’s a reliable choice for the uptake of waste water from manufacturing, sewage treatment or livestock farming.
Why use organic bamboo sheets?
Even though the soft touch feel is going to seal the deal for many, the organic bamboo sheets do bring a lot more to the table:
- The breathability
Organic bamboo fabric is able to adjust to your body temperature. It’s made with millions of micro gaps in the fibers, which gives the thermoregulation abilities. The micro gaps are the reason for which the organic bamboo sheets are some of the most breathable options out there. You stay nice and cool during the summer time. During the winter times, organic bamboo sheets are going to keep you nice and warm instead, without losing their ability to allow air between your skin and fabric to circulate. This reduces the risk for overheating, which means better comfort when you sleep.
- The Price
One of the main reasons why everyone loves bamboo sheets are the prices. They start at around $30 and go up to $1000. Depending on the store you can also use a coupon codes which helps bring down the prices. For example, one of the best stores that are selling natural latex mattresses and organic sheets is MyOrganicSheets.com. The prices are pretty reasonable but if you use these coupons at SeePromoCode.com you can get up to 40% off on your total order.
- The softness & comfort
The soft touch feels and the amazing comfort when sleeping on organic bamboo sheets are bamboo’s selling points. Bamboo has a natural sheen and silky feel as the bamboo yarn is finer than cotton yarn. Bamboo feels light and has a one-of-a-kind feathery soft feeling attached to it. 300 thread count on bamboo fabric is similar to 1000thread cotton fine cotton sheet- but the breathability isn’t there in the case of cotton.
- The hypoallergenic & antimicrobial properties
Organic bamboo is the safest choice for anyone allergic to dust mites. When your cotton sheet is heating up, it’s also going to retain moisture a lot more than a bamboo sheet. More moisture means just the perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
It seems that bed mites may develop on cotton sheets a couple of hours after lying on them. On the opposite side, the organic bamboo is actually able to inhibit the growth of bed mites. This is why the organic bamboo sheets are going to remain fresh and odor-free for quite some time. Truth be told, they make just the right option for the crib bedding.
This is why you may not feel the need to wash your organic bamboo sheets as often as you wash the cotton ones. The less you wash them, the easier for you and the better it is for the environment. Let’s not forget that you’re also going to pay less on your electricity bill, which is always a good news.
- The vegan property
Organic bamboo sheets are made cruelty-free, so they’re vegan and animal-friendly. No animals are harmed throughout the process so you can sleep peacefully every night from now on.
- The easy maintenance
Organic bamboo sheets are great for wicking moisture away from your skin but they’re also odor-free. This means they don’t get dirty as easy or fast as the cotton sheets. You don’t need to wash them very often so they’re definitely easy to take care of.
- Their durability
Since you don’t need to wash them very often, they do impress with their long life span. As a matter of fact, the bamboo yarn proves better performances when it comes to elongation, hairiness and strength. When you’re getting organic bamboo sheets you’re making an investment for the long run, for sure.
What’s the final thought?
Organic bamboo is great for many things and does stand from the crowd when used as material for bedding. The silky soft touch feel is great and the impressive list of qualities recommend it as a great choice for your bedding any given day.