Bamboo fabric offers incomparable health benefits. There is not any other fibre manufactured into textiles that can compare to bamboo fabric. Bamboo fabric has natural antibacterial properties and outstanding wicking and insulating abilities. These characteristics are not found in even the most premium class of cotton fabrics.
The Kun Component
Antibacterial
Bamboo kun is the name for the natural antimicrobial bio-agent found in bamboo. This bamboo kun is what gives bamboo fabric its antibacterial qualities. This same quality is what makes the bamboo plant resistant to pests that would otherwise harm the plant in its natural environment. Bamboo kun means that there is no need for the use of any kind of pesticides whatsoever when cultivating bamboo. Many types of chemical pesticides are often sprayed on cotton crops to keep the pests away. This means the introduction of harmful agents that can remain on the material even after it has undergone manufacturing processes.
Antifungal
Bamboo kun is also an antifungal agent, which keeps fungi away, but also works to make bamboo naturally odour resistant. These three properties - antibacterial, antifungal and odour-resistance - are preserved in the bamboo fabric that we use when it undergoes mechanical processing. This type of bamboo fabric is resistant to the bacterial and fungal growth and the different odours that can get into clothing and remain there. Even after bamboo fabric has been washed many times over, it does not lose its qualities and remains to have this unique ability to repel these harmful and unpleasant infestations. Not even the most superior cotton material, the only comparable fabric to bamboo, has these special protective properties.
Hypoallergenic
Because of bamboo kun, bamboo fabric is also hypoallergenic. This is a fourth unique attribute of bamboo fabric that makes it absolutely safe for almost anyone to use. People with various allergies, asthma, and respiratory conditions can find relief when using bamboo fabric for pillow cases, beddings, clothing and anything that they come into close contact with. Bamboo kun also works to keep dust mites and other bugs away, and repels a variety of viruses and other infectious microorganisms that can cause disease. Bamboo fabric is also therefore the safest material for babies. Bamboo that is organically grown and processed is a natural protectant and very safe for anyone who is particularly sensitive to harmful substances.
Chemical-Free
Bamboo does not require any pesticides to grow long and strong. This means that all those harmful chemicals that are used to grow cotton and other natural plant fibres for manufacturing into textiles are not found on bamboo fabric. They are, however, present in other fabrics. These pesticides are sprayed onto plants, but some of the toxic chemicals are also sprayed onto the soil. They therefore not only rest on the plants’ surfaces, but also get into the ground where the plants’ roots drink them up. This makes these dangerous chemicals an integral part of the fibres that are used to make your shirts, blankets, pillow covers, and other items.
These chemicals, even after undergoing manufacturing processes, can remain on the fibres, along with their harmful effects. The manufacturing processes of cotton and other fabrics also add more chemicals into the mix. Textile manufacturing still often uses a variety of chemicals to break down raw fibres more easily because it is cheaper and thus keeps the end product reasonably priced.
These added chemicals do not counteract the pesticides, but only add to the amount of toxins that come along with every textile item that you buy. Even after washing these fabrics, the pesticides and other processing chemicals are not completely removed.