Benefits of Bamboo in Toweling and Bath Mats

 

While bathrooms are not usually the first room that comes to mind when thinking of a home they are still very important. What goes into a bathroom is also important. We want a comforting space, especially since bathrooms are not wide open spaces. We don't want them to feel like a cell and one way to prevent this is through the use of towels and bath mats. They can liven up the small spaces simply by their color and patterns. They not only add visual interest but because they are cloth and a softer material they can help with sound absorption and make the space echo less. The linens found in bathrooms really tie the space together more than we think. But they are not just there for show. They have practical uses. Because of this we must consider not just their aesthetic features but their functional ones as well. 


While cotton is the most popular fiber used in toweling and other bath textile products, bamboo fibers have been growing in popularity. Bamboo is not only eco-friendly but it also has many great properties as a fiber. Not only is bamboo soft and has excellent colorfastness but it is also antibacterial and odor resistant. This is especially useful because bath settings tend to have increased humidity levels making textiles more susceptible to bacteria and mold growth. While toweling made completely out of bamboo can be more expensive, blends of cotton and bamboo are used to for more affordable costs while keeping some useful properties of bamboo. 

Bamboo is also used in bath mats. This is in part because of it's odor resistance and resistance to bacteria. Since bath mats are exposed to lots of water these properties are very beneficial. Not only will bacteria growth be prevented but the mats will not start to develop a musty smell like other bath mats can. It is also very absorbent meaning the water will not be left on the floor where it can weaken and deteriorate the floor over time. 

Another aspect as to why bamboo is a great fiber to use is because it is a green source. It's eco-friendly because it is one of the fastest growing plants on earth. It can be grown and taken care of quickly and easily. It rarely needs to be regrown and can be grown in many different environments. Before being harvested bamboo also helps prevent soil erosion and can produce more oxygen than trees. These pre-harvested features and it's benefits as a fiber make bamboo a very appealing fiber for use in many situations. 


Sources:

https://softweave.co.in/everything-you-need-to-know-about-towel-fabrics/

https://www.zerowasteman.com/is-bamboo-fabric-sustainable/

https://www.ortohispania.com/bamboo-fabric/

https://www.cariloha.com/blog/bath-towels-made-bamboo-viscose-best/#:~:text=Since%20they%20are%20bamboo%20they,dry%20time%20is%20cut%20down.


Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 12, 2020 at 10:00 AM

    Kelly,
    This is an interesting post! There are two main types of towels: 1. Pile Toweling which is also known as Terry Toweling. This type is typically understood as the towel image when a normal person thinks of what a towel looks like. A less familiar type of towel is 2. Flat Toweling which produced by a dobby weave or bonding webs of fiber. This is typically for institutional toweling, or for disposables. I think with bamboo this was an interesting topic to explore for towels as this is not typically what most people including myself to consider for towel purposes. This fits terry toweling, and I find it interesting that bamboo is a soft and great material for towels which makes me wonder about its GSM level considering the higher the GSM the more soft and luxurious it feels. Overall great job!
    Check out these sources as well!
    https://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/bathrooms/a-basic-guide-to-bath-towels
    https://www.matouk.com/articles/towel-terminology-guide
    https://profadeapparel.com/history-and-production-of-terry-towels/

    ReplyDelete

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