Viscose fabric is made from wood pulp from trees like eucalyptus, bamboo and others. Bamboo viscose really describes how bamboo is processed and turned into a workable fabric. The viscose process involves taking wood, in this case bamboo, and putting it through a series of steps before it’s spun into a fabric.
First, the bamboo stalks steep in a solution to help break down their structure and make them pliable. The bamboo pulp will be shredded, aged, and ripened before being filtered, washed, and spun. Once it has been spun, the threads can be woven to create a fabric – bamboo viscose.
Viscose vs Rayon
Both viscose and rayon are made from wood cellulose, cellulose being a substance composed of plant cells and vegetable fibers such as cotton, bamboo, etc., so technically, rayon and viscose are the same.
However, there is a slight difference between rayonand viscose. Rayon was originally developed as an alternative to silk and is a manufactured fiber utilizing wood cellulose. Then, it was discovered that bamboo could be an alternative to traditional wood, and viscose was created.
Today, you see the terms “bamboo viscose,” “bamboo rayon,” and “viscose made from bamboo.” While these terms can be used interchangeably, you’ll see Cozy Earth refer to their premium products as viscose made from bamboo.
How is Viscose Made?
The process to create viscose, or rayon, stems from setting up a processing center that can break down trees into a pulp. Many people claim that viscose is not eco-friendly because of the way plants are set up to process trees, which involves chemical run-off and the destruction of the surrounding environment. Since fast fashion processes can use rayon as a primary fabric – they’re often under scrutiny for cutting down forests. This is one reason it’s important to shop responsibly and to choose ethical products.
Does Viscose Make the Cut?
Cozy Earth chose the factories we work with because they care about the environment, take measures to follow regulations, and find innovative ways to recycle water, use less energy, and limit the amount of chemicals used in the viscose processes. We are also unique because we are one of the few companies that have made regular, in-person visits to the farms, fiber factories, viscose factories, yarn makers, and finishing factories to ensure that we are only working with the most responsible and forward-thinking people that share our values and ethics.
The processes used by our factories utilize a "closed-loop" system, which recycles the water and recaptures chemicals associated with processing bamboo stalks. They also regularly test trace amounts of water leaving their facility to detect PH abnormalities that would make it unsafe for the environment.
By pursuing a more responsible approach, we are able to create a long-term manufacturing system that strives to create a clean, premium product while protecting the environment from harmful processes. Learn more about Cozy Earth’s story and how their process leads to a responsible bamboo viscose.
FAQs
Viscose from bamboo (also known as bamboo rayon) is a renewable fabric created by specially processing the pulp of the bamboo plant. First, bamboo stalks are harvested and soaked in solutions designed to break them down and make them soft and pliable.
Is bamboo viscose good quality? ›
Bamboo viscose bedding is luxurious and soft, just like lyocell, and is of the same quality as silk or Egyptian cotton. The main difference between bamboo viscose vs rayon, however, is the chemicals used in production, which we've discussed in more detail below.
What are the disadvantages of bamboo viscose? ›
Compared to other materials, bamboo tends to wrinkle and crease more easily. It also tends to pill more as it falls in the category of viscose staple fiber. Cotton performs better than bamboo if we look at pilling as a factor.
Is bamboo viscose the same as 100% bamboo? ›
100% Bamboo is a synonym of sorts for Bamboo Rayon or Bamboo Viscose, which are, in the case of bamboo bedding, the same thing.
Is viscose bamboo natural or synthetic? ›
“Viscose is one of the earliest, what we would call semi-synthetic fibres because even though it is created from cellulose and has a kind of of a natural origin, the way that it is made involves lots of chemical processes,” she said.
What is better, viscose or cotton? ›
Viscose is semi-synthetic, unlike cotton, which is made from a natural, organic material. Viscose is not as durable as cotton, but it's also lighter and smoother in feel, which some people prefer over cotton. One is not necessarily better than the other, except when you're talking about durability and longevity.
Does bamboo viscose wrinkle easily? ›
It's no secret that clothes made with viscose fibers tend to wrinkle and crease. But why does viscose fabric wrinkle? Viscose can wrinkle because it's woven or knitted from the delicate, pulped fibers of woody plants like: Bamboo.
Does bamboo viscose shrink? ›
Bamboo viscose is prone to shrink a little, so we work with our suppliers to ensure fabrics are finished to a high standard and that that any shrinkage is within our acceptable limits (meaning it won't impact the fit of your clothes). The elastane in our fabrics helps to minimise shrinkage too.
Is bamboo viscose good for skin? ›
Bamboo fabrics come directly from the bamboo plant, which makes it a natural fiber. Bamboo viscose is a great choice of fabric for people with sensitive skin due to its excellent breathability and moisture wicking. It's also hypoallergenic and gentle enough for even babies' skin!
Is bamboo viscose better than microfiber? ›
Durability. Everyone knows microfiber sheets are well-known for their durability. However, bamboo sheets tend to last longer because they have long bamboo fiber, which is naturally stronger and also keeps the sheets looking new and fresh for a long.
Sleepers who want to avoid shrinking or wrinkling their sheets. Viscose and rayon both wrinkle and shrink easily, but viscose will stay wrinkle-free for longer. Those who want a slightly more durable sheet set. Rayon is still delicate, but it is a little stronger than Viscose.
Is bamboo viscose the same as Tencel? ›
Both fabrics are created from wood pulp. However, while bamboo sheets are obviously made from bamboo, TENCEL™ is made out of eucalyptus.
Is bamboo viscose itchy? ›
Bamboo viscose helps minimize skin irritation
Rough fabric can create friction which can irritate the skin. That initial irritation causes itching, which makes sensitive skin even worse! Dr.
Does bamboo viscose feel like silk? ›
They're both manufactured in a similar process but involve different solvents. Bamboo viscose feels a lot like cotton, but it looks a lot like silk and drapes beautifully.
Is viscose bamboo better than cotton? ›
It can maintain or even increase its strength when wet, making it a popular choice for outdoor wear. Even with these strengths, cotton can't match up to the durability of viscose from bamboo's long, smooth, and strong fibers. Bamboo fibers are so durable they resist shrinking, stretching, tearing, and pilling.
Does bamboo viscose last? ›
Bamboo viscose outperforms other fabrics in many ways, and one noticeable difference is the longevity of the material. Bamboo viscose fabric can last a decade, or even longer if it's well taken care of. In comparison, traditional cotton sheets usually only last a year or two before you need to replace them.
Are 100% viscose from bamboo sheets good? ›
Sheets made of 100% bamboo viscose are known for being incredibly soft to the touch, naturally hypoallergenic, and thermoregulating.
Is viscose from bamboo good for skin? ›
Bamboo fabrics come directly from the bamboo plant, which makes it a natural fiber. Bamboo viscose is a great choice of fabric for people with sensitive skin due to its excellent breathability and moisture wicking. It's also hypoallergenic and gentle enough for even babies' skin!
Does bamboo viscose stain easily? ›
Due to their absorbent, thermoregulating and soft properties bamboo sheets can be more prone to stains than most other bedding fabrics. The most common stain on bamboo sheets is due to sweat. Your body's attempt to reduce your core temperature can leave a slight mark on your sheets if not treated properly.
