Viscose from bamboo as a raw material in brief
Short answer: Viscose from bamboo is a fabric where cellulose from bamboo is dissolved and pressed out as new fibres. The fibres are spun into yarn and made into fabric. On the label it often says viscose, while the product may be called bamboo.
What viscose is
Viscose is a type of fibre made from cellulose, which comes from plants. The cellulose is dissolved and pressed out as fibres that are spun into yarn. So it is not a fibre that grows ready-made in a plant but one made in a process, and it can come from different raw materials.
What bamboo adds
Bamboo is the raw material in this version of viscose. The plant supplies the cellulose that becomes fibres. That is why people say bamboo in clothing is viscose from bamboo. The word bamboo names the raw material, not the process, and that is an important difference.
What you can use it for
Viscose from bamboo is used in many kinds of clothing, from underwear and T-shirts to sleepwear and bedding. A bamboo T-shirt for women is one example of an item where the fabric lies softly and follows the body. How it suits you depends on the style and fit.
How the fabric often feels
Many find viscose from bamboo soft and slightly smooth against the skin, with a fabric that falls loosely. How it feels to you depends on the yarn and on how the fabric is woven or knitted. Try it yourself and see what you think.
Caring for viscose
Viscose can be sensitive to heat and rough treatment, so read the care label. Wash gently, use a laundry bag if you like, and let the clothes dry without too much heat. Then shape and fabric stay nice for longer, and you get more from it.
What natural means here
Viscose is often called a regenerated fibre, because the raw material is a plant but the fibres are made in an industrial process. That is why it is neither quite the same as cotton nor a synthetic fibre. It is something in between, and that is good to know when you read about the fabric.
How to read the label
The label usually shows the material the clothes are made of, often as viscose. The product page may state that the raw material is bamboo. Read both and look for care and size information before you choose. It also helps if you want to shop the sale for women.
For more active days
For exercise many choose a fabric that fits well and feels comfortable. Look, for example, at a bamboo sports bra if you are looking for something for movement. Fit matters more than fabric, so choose a size that feels secure.
Frequently asked questions
Is viscose the same as bamboo
Not quite. Viscose is the fibre, and bamboo is the plant the cellulose can come from. Bamboo in clothing is viscose from bamboo, and both words can appear on a product.
Is bamboo viscose a natural fibre
The raw material comes from a plant, but the fibres are made in an industrial process. That is why it is often called a regenerated fibre, and it is neither quite like cotton nor like a synthetic fibre.
How do I wash bamboo viscose
Follow the care label. Wash gently, use a laundry bag if you like, and avoid a lot of heat, and the fabric and shape will last longer.
