Bamboo in towels typically refers to bamboo viscose (also called bamboo rayon) - fibre derived from bamboo pulp through chemical processing.
What "Bamboo Towels" Actually Are
Despite marketing, most bamboo towels aren't woven from bamboo fibres. The process:
- Bamboo is harvested and pulped
- Pulp is dissolved using chemicals (sodium hydroxide, carbon disulfide)
- Solution is extruded through spinnerets
- Resulting fibres are spun into yarn
The final product is regenerated cellulose - chemically similar to regular viscose.
Properties
Advantages: - Very soft (often softer than cotton) - Naturally antimicrobial - Good for sensitive skin - Reasonable absorbency
Disadvantages: - Less durable than cotton - Environmental claims are complicated - Chemically processed (not "natural") - May pill over time
The Environmental Question
Bamboo plants are sustainable - fast growing, no pesticides needed. But the viscose processing uses harsh chemicals and can pollute if not properly managed.
"Eco-friendly" bamboo claims are often oversimplified. Production method matters as much as the plant source.
Bamboo Lyocell
A more eco-friendly alternative using closed-loop processing that recovers chemicals. Rarer and more expensive than bamboo viscose.
Related Terms
- Bamboo viscose - Most common form
- Viscose - Processing method
- Cotton - Alternative natural fibre