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FAQs Bamboo Fiber vs. Cotton

FAQs: Bamboo Fiber vs. Cotton

The very basic difference between Bamboo & Cotton is the fact that the Cotton fibers grow on trees as a fiber ready to be used and the Bamboo fiber has to be extracted from the trunk and branches of the Bamboo Trees.

Cotton has been the standard fabric material for a long time, but bamboo fiber has become popular in recent years. We’ve been using cotton from 3000 BC, that started in the Indus Valley and cotton brings fantastic benefits when it comes to manufacturing your products, but what can bamboo fiber offer? 

Both fabrics bring their pros, and it’s essential to know how they stack up against one another to choose which one suits your needs best. Here is some vital information on bamboo fiber and cotton.  

How Bamboo Fabric is Made

Bamboo fibers can be made in two ways: Mechanically or chemically. 

The mechanical process involves crushing the bamboo plant into bits with the help of natural enzymes. Afterward, the bast fibers are combed out and rolled into a yarn. However the bamboo plant does not have much bast fiber, the process is labor intensive and cost prohibitive and is not used extensively simply because it is not feasible to do so. 

The chemical process is simpler, though not as environmentally friendly. The bamboo fibers are crushed, soaked in sodium hydroxide solution and other strong chemicals to separate the fibers, and then cooked and finally extruded into a bath of sulphuric acid to dissolve the remnants and then washed and then converted into fiber threads. 
All About Cotton

The Benefits of Bamboo Fiber

Once the bamboo fiber is manufactured into fabric, you can use it to make products that offer benefits such as these: 

  • Hypoallergenic: Bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic. By offering products made with bamboo fabric, you’re protecting your customers that suffer from skin sensitivities from rashes and other allergic reactions. However this is a claim as there is no testing data available to show that the bamboo fabric is actually hypoallergenic.

  • Breathability: If you choose to use bamboo fabrics for activewear, you’ll benefit from increased breathability. Bamboo fiber is cross-sectioned with tiny micro gaps, giving bamboo fabric great moisture absorption and ventilation properties.

  • Improved insulation: Bamboo fiber provides outstanding breathability in the summer and effective heat retention in the winter. If you’re looking for environmentally friendly and chemical-free bamboo fabrics, check out options like the ProECO Bamboo Fleece Fabric from Wazoodle Fabrics. This material is 100% eco-friendly and engineered to meet USA requirements—this is the highest quality-assured organic fabric on the market

  • Soft & Luscious: Bamboo fiber is very soft and silky. Since the fiber is not as durable, it is usually always combined with Cotton for durability and sometimes polyester for reduced shrinkage.

  • Biodegradable: Apparel made from bamboo is both compostable and biodegradable, meaning it goes back into the earth to become part of the sustainable life cycle. 

How Cotton is Made into a Fabric

Conversion of the cotton fibers which grow as fibers on trees and are plucked from trees to make them into a yarn is purely a mechanical process without the use of any chemicals whatsoever. Cotton fibers from trees are fed into a machine that separates the fibers from the seeds and other debris; this makes it easier to spin into yarn. The yarn is then knitted or woven into a fabric, and the final steps in the preparation process occur. 

Opting for organic cotton products such as the ProECO Stretch-FIT Organic Cotton Fleece Fabric from Wazoodle Fabrics is best to give your customers the highest quality products. Not only will they be able to enjoy softer beanies, blankets, sweaters, and activewear, but this fabric is 100% free of harmful chemicals and toxins. 

Besides this, the fact that Organic
Organic cotton uses less water and according to the WWF, it takes 2,700 liters of water to produce the cotton needed to make just one T-shirt. However, organic cotton produced without synthetic chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides, uses only 243 liters by comparison per Soil Association and thus significantly reduces water pollution.and the process also uses fewer greenhouse gasses.

Chemical-free products are a huge deal to consumers. They’ll feel better about using your products and feel more at ease in terms of their health.  

Benefits of Organic Cotton

Clothing and other products made from organic cotton provide benefits such as the following: 

  • Hypoallergenic: Organic cotton made without any chemicals from the growth of the plant to the making of yarn and then into the fabric helps those with skin allergies avoid rashes and allergic reactions. Organic cotton is also produced without any chemicals, especially when looking at fabrics from Wazoodle. Since Organic cotton is made without any chemicals, there is no possibility of an allergic reaction.

  • Comfort & Versatility: Organic cotton is a very comfortable to wear, versatile material, making organic cotton fabrics like our ProECO Organic Cotton great for baby clothes, backpacks, car seat covers, and jackets. Versatility is crucial if you want to reach a broader range of consumers and more because it is good for both warm and cold climates.

  • Unmatched Softness in Natural fiber: Among all Vegan and Naturally grown fibers, Cotton fabric is amongst the softest around, further cemented when using organic cotton fabrics. Your products will garner praise when you choose to use organic cotton, no matter what products you decide to create—you can never go wrong with softer products made from Natural fibers.

  • Fair cost: Organic cotton avoids the costs and after effects of using harmful pesticides / chemicals and more expensive genetically modified seeds used to grow the non-organic counterparts. More people are switching to organic products in an effort to help the environment and protect their health from products that will expose them to harmful chemicals.

  • Biodegradable - Cotton fiber biodegrades in 5-6 months and is compostable in 4 to 8 weeks. Since the organic cotton was grown without the use of pesticides and not processed with any chemicals, it does not leave behind any toxins when it degrades. On top of that, cotton is biodegradable, making it an option that you can feel good about.

Bamboo Fiber vs. Cotton: The Environmental Factor 

Both bamboo fiber and organic cotton have their benefits for the environment. Both Bamboo plants and Organic cotton don't use pesticides or fertilizers to grow, use less water to grow. Aside from sparing our environment from damaging chemicals, Organic cotton allows our products to last longer, reducing waste.

Fabrics like Wazoodle’s Zorb 3D Organic Cotton Dimple Fabric are made from 100% absorbent organic cotton layers, making it one of the best fabrics for sensitive skins. These layers make up a durable and reversible fabric, making them great for producing anything from towels to activewear. 

As far as bamboo goes, it’s a regenerative plant that doesn’t need to be replanted every year to produce—an acre of bamboo can yield up to 10 times more than an acre of cotton and requires less water to grow. This unique characteristic makes bamboo more self-sufficient than cotton, which gives it a slight edge over the traditional fabric option. 

However, the extraction process of converting the bamboo plant into the fiber is a chemical-heavy process using excessive amounts of water, and contributes heavily to the greenhouse gas emissions and takes away the environmental friendliness of the bamboo fiber.  

Bamboo viscose fiber is not as durable as cotton fiber. Bamboo has a wet strength of -100% while Cotton fiber has a wet strength of 1,100%. The wet strength is a measure of how well the fibers holding the fabric together can resist a force of rupture when the fabric is wet. This means that a product made out of 100% bamboo viscose will tear easily so all bamboo fabrics are made using a blend with cotton. The Zorb 3D Bamboo Dimple LITE Silver Fabric is made from 70% bamboo viscose fibers, making it an excellent fabric for fitness wear and bed liners. 

Get the Best of Both Worlds with Wazoodle Fabrics

If bamboo fiber and cotton sound like the best option for your products, look no further than Wazoodle Fabrics. Our ProECO Bamboo fabrics are mostly made up of 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton to provide durability and unmatched absorption, but we offer various other fabric options depending on your production goals. 

Check out our selection of fabrics and feel free to get in touch with us if you need help deciding on the best option for your needs—we’re always happy to help you pick out the perfect fabric!

Resources

https://ecoworldonline.com/why-choose-bamboo-fiber-products/

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