‘Bamboo’ Fabrics

Bamboo is a plant that grows quickly with little or no pesticides, is known for its strength, and is sometimes used in eco-friendly products. But when it’s processed into fabric that’s advertised as “soft,” “silky,” or “cool to the touch,” it has likely been turned into rayon or viscose using toxic chemicals. This process is far from eco-friendly, and the fabric that it creates may not be better for the environment than other types of fabric.

False Claims About Bamboo Fabric

Not all bamboo clothing or bedding is what it seems — or what it’s advertised to be. When bamboo has been chemically processed into rayon and similar fabrics, there’s no trace of the original plant left.

Bamboo that has been processed to make soft fabric no longer has the same qualities as bamboo. For example, although a bamboo plant can resist the growth of bacteria, there’s no evidence that rayon fabric made from processed bamboo is “naturally” antibacterial. Real bamboo fabric that may be antibacterial is often rough or scratchy, and is rarely used in fabric you touch, like clothing or bedding.

Companies that claim their eco-friendly products contain bamboo or have antibacterial properties should have reliable scientific evidence to support the claims. To learn more about a product’s claims, check the product, look at the company’s website, or contact the company. If you aren’t satisfied with the information, choose a different product.

Report False Advertising

If you see a misleading marketing claim, report it to the at FTC ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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