The trend of using bamboo in fabrics for clothing and bedding, and bamboo wood in home and kitchen items, has increased in recent years.
Partly due to its status as an ethical and sustainable resource, but also because of its versatility and luxurious feel.
You can extend the life of these eco-friendly credentials by recycling, but how do you recycle bamboo bath towels?
(Looking to buy replacement towels? Skip to our favourites: Bamboo bath towels)
Eco Friendly and sustainable
The reason you’re even looking at switching to bamboo is of course the fact that its usage, growth and manufacturing process have far less of an impact on the planet than other fabric sources, even organic cotton.
Unlike cotton, bamboo doesn’t require any additional fertilizers or pesticides to grow and can regenerate itself from the roots. This means no replanting which means less machinery and fewer resources such as oil and gas required in order to produce it.
Bamboo also absorbs almost 30% more carbon dioxide than other plants and trees, including cotton.
How to recycle bamboo bath towels
Once your towels are worn out and old, most of them can be fully recycled, or even composted, depending on the mix of fibres used to make the towels.
The good news is that most bamboo items are biodegradable, even if that means taking some care to remove the non-biodegradable parts first (the top-selling bamboo jeans from BAM have a button which unscrews and no rivets to make it easier to recycle this way).
You may need to remove buttons, elastics or zips depending on the item of clothing being composted (Or be prepared to be fishing out these items from your compost heap in a year’s time!)
You might ask whether you can do this with any all-natural fibres and you’d be correct, but as explained earlier in this article, bamboo also has some additional ecological and ethical advantages over cotton, linen or hemp garments.
Bamboo fabrics typically take around one year to decompose in an active and maintained compost heap or bin.
What is it made of?
When bamboo fabric is created by mechanical processes instead of chemical processes it’s recyclable, biodegradable and compostable.
The mechanical process involves grinding the woody stems and then applying natural enzymes to break the bamboo cellulose walls. This stage leaves a stodgy soup of plant fibres and the finest, softest fibres are combed out and spun into yarn and fabric.
If the label on your towels states that it’s made of bamboo linen then this means the fibres were mechanically manufactured and therefore far more eco-friendly.
Preparation.
Once you’ve checked the label to confirm your towels are bamboo or a bamboo cotton mix, be sure to remove any labels or motifs which may not be the same fabric.
Composting
If your towels are bamboo or a bamboo and cotton mix, then they can be composted either at home or placed in your green garden waste bin to be commercially composted by your local authorities.
Alternative upcycle ideas
Wait!
You might just be able to get a few more months of life from your bamboo towels before you compost them, and have some fun upcycling them.
Check out this video for some great ideas.
How to make bamboo clothing items last longer.
Let’s face it, the best way to be less wasteful is to make the stuff we have last longer before we need to recycle or compost them.
Taking care when washing and drying your bamboo clothing will make it last longer, keep it in shape and feel softer than ever.
How do you wash bamboo bath towels?
Bamboo fabric keeps the strength of the bamboo plant and is incredibly durable, outlasting cotton equivalents when cared for properly.
When washing your bamboo towels they should be washed in a gentle detergent just as you would wool or other delicate items, on a gentle, cooler cycle of your washing machine.
Washing at a cool temperature or a cold wash helps to maintain the shape of the towel and reduces possible shrinkage.
How do you dry bamboo towels?
Using a drier on very low heat is okay, but using too high a heat can damage the bamboo fibres or shrink your item.
Drying your item indoors with artificial heat (radiators and air vents) is better but try not to leave them directly on the heat source.
Drying your towels outside is by far the best method. There’s no risk of over-drying which can damage the fibres, the moisture is carried away rather than collecting in your home and you get the added benefit of having that gorgeous outdoors aroma.
Looking to switch2bamboo for your bath towels?
Comvi Bath Towels
With a 50/50 mix of bamboo and cotton, these towels are sifter than a panda’s cute furry ears.
Comvi bamboo towels are superior to Egyptian cotton towels because of their anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and better absorbency than cotton.
Natural, Greener, Renewable and silk-like fabric have been used to create the ideal luxury and premium soft towel.
Yofoss Bath Towel (set of 2)
Made of 85% bamboo fibre and 15% cotton provides maximum softness and excellent moisture absorption, gentle on the skin for both children and adults (and even the family dog!)
Bamboo bath towels give your skin a softer feel and are highly absorbent.
These bath towels are designed to absorb more liquid than ordinary towels, insuring extremely quick drying after your shower.
This luxury bamboo bath sheet also gives the body a soft and delicate touch while absorbing moisture, leaving you feeling refreshed.
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