Textile derived from bamboo cellulose, called "viscose from bamboo" or "rayon from bamboo" - is luxurious, soft and fabulous to wear. Smooth, with a bit of sheen almost like silk, it drapes well. But bamboo clothing is shrouded in a bit of the mystery and it stirred some controversy. Why?

FTC (Federal Trade Commission) restricts the exact nomenclature of the fabrics derived from a bamboo plant. Since the plant goes through the chemical process in order to create the yarn and fabric, the textiles extracted from bamboo cellulose are called "viscose from bamboo" or "rayon from bamboo". Here is the link to FTC rules www.ftc.gov/bamboo-textiles. In a letter to retailers www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/how-avoid-bamboozling-your-customers,FTC states "The truth is, most “bamboo” textile products, if not all, really are rayon, [....] there’s no trace of the original plant in the finished rayon product."

Our descriptions comply with these regulations. The actual words "rayon" or "viscose" mean really that it is regenerated cellulose fiber. The cellulose could be bamboo or wood pulp like in lyocell (Tencel®), Modal or MicroModal, using a similar process. Bamboo is dissolved into a pulp and reconstituted again using sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), a similar agent used in the manufacturing of soap or cotton. It is done in a closed loop so chemicals used are returned to the process.

From my PERSONAL experience, many of our customers with sensitive skin love the viscose of bamboo products. The textile is very soft and gentle to the skin. We find that it has a very good absorbency of water or sweat, which helps to keep the growth or bacteria and odor down, excellent for hot climates. We find the "viscose from bamboo" textile.

Environmentally, the bamboo plant, a fastest growing grass, minimizes CO2 and generates more oxygen than most plants. Its extensive root system naturally replenishes itself, so the plant is grown without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers and is not GMO. It needs very little water to grow.

So to offer you, the consumer, as many options as possible to choose what works for you, we carry many natural fibers. We support textiles that use replenishable resources and create the relative least harm to the environment while being safe and sustainable for our human needs.