How Bamboo Clothing is Made: From Farm to Fabric

Key Takeaways

If you've been curious about bamboo-viscose clothing but haven't made the leap yet, you're in the right place. There's a reason so many people are making the switch — bamboo-viscose fabric is exceptionally soft, is lighter than you'd expect, and gets even softer with every wash. But what is bamboo clothing, and how exactly is bamboo clothing made?

In this article, we'll walk you through how bamboo moves from farm to fabric to one of the comfiest wardrobe staples you'll ever own.

Why More People Are Choosing Bamboo Clothing

Bamboo-viscose clothing refers to any garment made from fabric that comes from the bamboo plant. Once processed, bamboo fibers produce a soft, breathable material that's used in a wide variety of everyday clothing, including T-shirts, underwear, leggings, socks, and sleepwear. Not only is clothing made from bamboo versatile, but it also performs in ways that make it a step above everything else in your closet:

• Feels softer with every wash: Bamboo fiber clothing is naturally smooth and fine, creating a comfy feel that only gets better with each wash.
• Keeps you dry and comfortable: Bamboo pulls moisture away from your skin naturally, without chemicals, so you stay fresh and comfortable no matter what your day looks like.
• Fights odor naturally: Bamboo's natural properties help keep you fresher for longer.
• Holds up wash after wash: Bamboo-viscose fibers are strong and naturally smooth, so your clothing stays looking new.
• Wears well on the planet: Bamboo grows without pesticides or fertilizers, making it a choice that's as good for the environment as it is for you.

Where Does Bamboo Clothing Come From?

Bamboo-viscose clothing starts with the bamboo plant: a tall, fast-growing plant. Bamboo grows organically without the need for harmful pesticides, fertilizers, or extra irrigation, making bamboo one of the most sustainable materials in the textile industry. Once harvested, bamboo is spun into bamboo-viscose fibers to create a soft, breathable fabric you can wear every day.

How Does Bamboo Become Fabric?

After bamboo stalks are harvested, they go through a specialized process that breaks them down into fibers, spins them into yarn, and weaves them into soft, breathable fabric. The result comes in two forms: bamboo viscose and bamboo lyocell.

Bamboo Viscose

Bamboo viscose is one of the most commonly used bamboo fabrics used in clothing today. Made from the fibers of the bamboo plant, the stalks are broken down into a pulp using a closed-loop process, then transformed into a liquid and spun into fine threads for weaving into the soft, lightweight fabric you'll find in everyday essentials.

Bamboo Lyocell

Bamboo lyocell is a soft, breathable bamboo fabric that follows a similar process to viscose, with one key difference: Bamboo lyocell uses a less abrasive closed-loop system that recycles even more water and solution used to break down the bamboo pulp, making it one of the more sustainably produced fabrics available today.

Is Bamboo Clothing Right for You?

Bamboo fiber clothing is sustainable from the ground up, starting with a plant that grows without pesticides or fertilizers and ending with a fabric that's soft, breathable, and built to last.

If you're looking for clothing that performs better, feels better, and sits easier on your conscience, bamboo is worth trying. And once you do, it's hard to go back. Shop Cariloha's men's and women's bamboo collection and feel the difference for yourself.