Bamboo And Sisal Rugs Are Eco Friendly

Herb Fellow · 04-20-2008, 01:00 AM

As an alternative to synthetic fibers, bamboo, sisal, and hemp are strong and renewable plant fibers. These natural plant fibers are finding an expanding market as an alternative to synthetic fabrics. Long used in Asia for a wide variety of fabric uses, bamboo and sisal fabrics are making a significant impact in the United States. Rugs produced from natural plant fibers have all the benefits of synthetic fabrics.

All synthetic fabrics are made from plastic and most plastic is made from oil. Even though there is a significant market for recycled plastics, most plastic material is not biodegradable and will remain in your local landfill almost forever. Increased use of natural plant fibers such as bamboo, jute, and hemp can have a dramatic on reducing oil consumption.

Bamboo fabric fiber is made from the pulp of bamboo grass. Bamboo rugs start out as plant fibers that have been spun into fabric. Bamboo is fast growing plant and bamboo fabric has many advantages over other types of fabric fibers. Bamboo has a natural and long lasting antimicrobial property. The antimicrobial property remains even after repeated washing. High quality bamboo fabric can be as soft as the finest cashmere wool and is long wearing.

Bamboo is a true member of the grass family of plants and grows in surprisingly diverse environments, from mountain climates in China, to the jungles of Southeast Asia. Though not a native species, bamboo can be found growing in Europe, Africa and in North and South America. Depending on the location, bamboo can grow rapidly and does not require an extraordinary amount of care.

Bamboo is harvested as a hardwood and has a great many uses including a food source, since the young shoots and even the seeds, are often used in Asian cooking. Bamboo is also found in a wide variety of products, from window shades and flooring to cooking utensils. Depending on the growing environment, bamboo may grow more slowly. Slow growth results in bamboo that is denser in composition. This type of bamboo is finding its way into products like hardwood flooring.

Bamboo fibers are available from organic sources. For most bamboo cultivation, chemical herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers are not needed. In the proper environment, bamboo grows extremely fast. Bamboo is among several plant fiber sources that support the movement towards sustainable growing practices. Since bamboo cultivation does not require chemicals, proper cultivation can greatly reduce any adverse impacts on the environment. Although there is some debate about bamboo cultivation displacing native plant species, there is tremendous potential in bamboo fabric fiber.

Like bamboo, hemp is a very strong and versatile fiber with many uses including, paper, fabrics, and rope. Hemp also has many other non-textile applications from making plastics to producing bio fuels. Hemp fiber fabric is long lasting, often blended with cotton and other natural fibers. Hemp, like bamboo, can be cultivated without the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides. Hemp plants can be grown in very diverse areas of the world with little or no care.

Also referred to as hemp, sisal is another natural fiber material that is widely used for producing rugs. A species of the agave plant, sisal fiber has been used for thousands of years for everything from rope and twine to paper and other commercial uses such as backing for carpet. Like bamboo and hemp, sisal is completely biodegradable and can be cultivated without chemicals. Sisal can be fashioned into very durable fabrics and yarns.

So if you are looking for quality, durability, and an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fiber rugs try bamboo, sisal or other natural fabric. Any one of these natural fibers makes an excellent choice for weaving durable and beautiful rugs.

Source: fibre2fashion, World of Garment - Textile - Fashion
Copyright: 2008, fibre2fashion
Contact: Mitch Endick
Website: Bamboo Fibers, Sisal Fabrics, Hemp Fabrics, Synthetic Fabrics, Renewable Plant Fibers, Bamboo Fabric Fiber