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Bamboo Clothes - What Are The Benefits? |
Babyjo use organic bamboo and organic cotton in all our garments. Babyjo is currently in the process of adding Fair Trade only cotton garments to the range and we will keep you posted! Why Bamboo? Our philosophy embraces sustainability, environment and a love of little people. When designing a range of clothing for our little people, we researched long and hard as to the best and kindest fabric to place next to their precious newborn skin. A wide variety of textiles are available today; cotton, organic cotton, polyester, wool, merino, soy and spandex/elastane to name a few. In line with our Company Profile, Bamboo ticked more sustainability, health, ethical and comfort boxes than any other fabric we researched. When choosing a fabric or garment, it is important to understand the process behind the end product almost everything we use these days has trace elements or heavy use of chemicals involved in the manufacturing process. On top of this, the growth process (especially that of cotton) can be classed as highly dangerous to workers, punishing on our environment and potentially damaging for the wearers health. Why use Bamboo? Bamboo is quickly renewable resource as it is the fastest growing plant on earth - talk about sustainable! It grows anywhere from 30cms 1.2m in a single day, and with sufficient rainfall it requires no additional irrigation. There is NO need to cut down our beautiful rainforests. The Chinese have been making paper from bamboo for over 1,500 years! Bamboo helps to reduce soil erosion. The rhizomes (roots) of the bamboo plant branch out from the stalk which helps to secure soil from erosion and retain precious soil moisture. This also helps to prevent silt from choking rivers and streams and affecting aquatic life. (Our) Bamboo has been grown in a certified organic environment. Bamboo has its own natural form of defense (Bamboo Kun) that prevents infestation from pests, a major factor in the growth and cultivation of bamboo. Our bamboo is proudly grown in an environment free of pesticides and insecticides and this has a lasting impact on not only the land, but the end user you. Bamboo fibre is considered a super sustainable textile, as it is made from a highly renewable resource. Bamboo does involve chemical processing to achieve the soft, lustrous fabric as an end result, however our bamboo is certified to global Oeko-Tex® standards, which means it must demonstrate that the fabric has no harmful chemical residue. Bamboo, due to its fibre structure has a highly breathable nature that wicks away excess moisture from the wearer a big factor in the management of eczema Bamboo is biodegradable - it decomposes back into our environment Is a much kinder option (for both the environment and the wearer) as a fabric! Did you know: Traditional Oriental belief holds that being in a bamboo grove restores calmness and stimulates creativity... no wonder bamboo groves were also a favourite dwelling place of the Buddha! Our Bamboo: Organically grown Eco friendly & Sustainable - fastest growing plant on the earth and it improves soil quality as well Biodegradable Softer than the softest Cotton imaginable Highly breathable, much more so than cotton 60% more absorbent than cotton. Wonderful for Eczema and allergy sufferers - Soothing to the skin Wicks away moisture to keep you fresh and dry Odour resistant - great for babies! Washes and irons beautifully Bamboo... Isn't it rough and scratchy? A common question (until you feel it) the idea of clothing made from bamboo conjurs up thoughts of scratchy, itchy clothing, however dont be mislead by your mind! Bamboo fabric is super soft, luxuriant and definitely something that you would be happy to clothe your bub in. It can best be described as a cross between silk and cashmere, lightweight, yet clever enough to keep bub warm in winter and cool in summer (thermo regulating). Is Bamboo antibacterial? Bamboo (the plant) has it's own antibacterial and antifungal properties, thanks to a natural substance in the plant (Bamboo Kun) which helps it to fight off disease and insects. Personal experience and client testimonials have highlighted that the finished fabric retains these properties, and we are excited to undertake independent testing so that we can verify this scientifically. Why is Bamboo good for allergy and eczema sufferers? Bamboo is more breathable than cotton, and so it is wonderful for Eczema and Allergy sufferers. There is a noticeable difference in the feel between bamboo and cotton, it is so soft and comforting - this can be attributed to the structure of the fibre, which is smooth and round - it caresses the skin, instead of rubbing on it. Bamboo fibre is also hypoallergenic when compared to other fabrics as it is not treated with a chemical antimicrobial during production (this is sometimes added to other fabrics to create antibacterial properties.) Bamboo absorbs moisture (limitation of water contact is important in managing eczema as it dries out the skin) and keeps baby's body fresh for hours. I have had great success keeping my daughter's eczema under control with bamboo clothing - you can also read of others experiences with bamboo and eczema, in our testimonial section or eczema trials. Why is Bamboo so good for the environment? Bamboo is said to be the fastest growing plant on earth. You may be surprised to find out that Bamboo is actually a grass, and not a tree. The type of bamboo used for making fabric (Moso) can grow anywhere from 30cms to 1.2m in a day (1-4ft) and is ready to harvest within 3-4 years! Because of its natural antibacterial properties, Bamboo does not require the use of fertilizers or pesticides to grow. With sufficient rainfall, there is no need for additional irrigation. Bamboo sends out an average of 4 to 6 new shoots a year, by way of natural regeneration of its extensive root system. Bamboo improves soil quality and aids in preventing erosion. When your bamboo clothing has finished its cycle as a garment, it can be returned to the earth to biodegrade a big plus for our planet! Where does babyjo bamboo come from? Our bamboo is originates from China, where the majority of bamboo for commercial use is grown. Unfortunately although bamboo is now being farmed in Australia (on a small scale compared to China!), there is currently no bamboo fibre production industry available for us to utilise. The director of babyjo, Amanda, hopes sincerely to see this change in her lifetime so we can have a fully self sustaining bamboo manufacturing industry in our own country. We have ensured that we have sourced a facility in China that employs very high environmental standards, and that uses effective waste water treatments to ensure that additives used in the process do not end up in the surrounding environment. Our company aim is to provide consumers with a high quality, sustainable product that offers and alternative to conventional cotton and synthetic garments. Whilst almost everything we use as consumers these days has some negative impact on the environment, Babyjo are trying to make a difference, one small step at a time. If you would like more information on the origin and manufacturing process of out bamboo please email amanda@babyjo.com.au as she is only too happy to chat with you abut it. What about Fair Trade? We wish! At this stage bamboo production is under a patent that is licensed out by 1 company, and in China they are yet to formalise any Fair Trade practices. Our bamboo factory is the best we can find in terms of a safe work environment, and we are continually pushing for Fair Trade in the bamboo industry. Babyjo is a member of The Australian Fair Trade & Investment Network AFTINET, who is a network of community organizations and individuals that has campaigned since 2000 for a fairer and more democratic global trade system, based on human rights and environmental sustainability. Babyjo is currently in the process of adding Fair Trade cotton garments to the range and we will keep you posted! What about the pandas? The giant panda is synonymous with bamboo, and it would be natural to feel concerned about their welfare. Thankfully, the panda does not like the variety of bamboo used for making clothing (Moso) and only eats the smaller varieties. Our bamboo comes from a company who reinvest some of their profit into the WWF, so we are happy to be making a difference to this important animal! |