What Is Bamboo Fabric & Is It Toxic?

Bamboo fabric: a panda-feeding, Earth-friendly material OR a trending fabric dangerously prone to greenwashing?

Its rapid growth in fashion textiles is almost as prolific as the growth of the plant itself. But as with any supposedly sustainable fabric, it deserves some scrutiny, and bamboo deserves more than most because the gap between what many think they’re buying and what they’re getting is wider here than with almost any other textile.

The bamboo plant is a remarkably eco-friendly crop. But the vast majority of “bamboo fabric” on the market is bamboo viscose, which is processed using the same toxic chemicals as conventional rayon fabric and carries the same environmental and worker safety problems. If you’re feeling bamboo-zled about what’s in your bamboo sheets and underwear, read on as we weed out misleading claims, break down the toxicity question, and find the bamboo textiles worth buying.

It (hopefully) won’t come as a shock to anyone that bamboo fabric is made from… bamboo. Humans have been using bamboo for millennia, mostly for things like housing, sustainable furniture, and paper. However, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that we started turning this fast-growing grass into clothing, an innovative idea credited (in some circles) to Beijing University. In the two decades since (particularly in the last decade), we’ve seen a veritable bamboo boom in the fashion industry.

Bamboo material is soft, breathable, and stretchy, which is why it shows up in everything from bedding and towels to activewear, socks, and underwear.

There are three fundamentally different ways to turn bamboo into textile fiber, and they produce very different products with very different environmental footprints.

The three types of bamboo fabric are:

• Bamboo viscose (bamboo rayon): The most common type by far. Produced using the same chemical-intensive viscose process as conventional rayon. We cover this in detail below.
• Bamboo lyocell: Made using a closed-loop process with a non-toxic solvent. Far more sustainable, but less common and more expensive.
• Mechanically processed bamboo (bamboo linen): The bamboo plant is mechanically crushed and broken down with natural enzymes into a coarse, linen-like fiber. This is the only type that can legally be called simply “bamboo” rather than “rayon made from bamboo.” It’s rare and expensive.

Over 80% of global bamboo textiles are bamboo viscose. That means when you see “bamboo” on a clothing label, you’re most likely looking at a chemically processed rayon product rather than a natural fiber.

How does a piece of grass become soft and stretchy underwear? There are a few methods depending on the type of bamboo fabric we’re talking about:

Bamboo Viscose (The Most Common Method)

Most of the bamboo fabric you’ll find in clothes, bedding, and towels is bamboo viscose, also known as bamboo rayon. It’s the cheapest method of production, but there’s a hidden cost to the planet and the people involved.

Bamboo viscose is produced through the same process as other types of viscose fabric. Here’s how it works:

1. Cellulose extraction: Bamboo is harvested, chipped, and cooked to extract the cellulose.
2. Alkali steeping: The cellulose is steeped in caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), which swells the fibers and converts the cellulose to alkali cellulose.
3. Xanthation: The aged cellulose is treated with carbon disulfide (CS₂), a highly toxic and flammable chemical, turning it into cellulose xanthate.
4. Dissolving: The xanthate dissolves in dilute sodium hydroxide to create the viscous solution that gives viscose its name.
5. Spinning: The solution is forced through a spinneret into a bath of sulfuric acid, which regenerates the cellulose into solid filaments.
6. Finishing: The filaments are washed, drawn, cut, and dried into usable fiber.

The whole process requires large volumes of water and energy, and the three key chemicals involved (sodium hydroxide, carbon disulfide, and sulfuric acid) are all classified as hazardous.

In conventional facilities without adequate recovery systems, a significant portion of the carbon disulfide is released into the air and waterways, according to the Changing Markets Foundation’s Roadmap towards responsible viscose manufacturing.

This is why the FTC has taken the position that there’s essentially no bamboo left in the final product (more on this below). The chemical processing transforms the cellulose so completely that the resulting fiber is rayon, regardless of what plant it started as.

Bamboo Lyocell (The Closed-Loop Alternative)

If that makes you want to scratch bamboo off your sustainable fabric list, hang tight, because there’s a fundamentally better way to make bamboo fabric.

Bamboo lyocell (like any lyocell fabric) uses a completely different chemistry. Instead of carbon disulfide, it uses a solvent called NMMO (N-methylmorpholine N-oxide) to dissolve the bamboo cellulose directly, without chemically altering it. The dissolved cellulose is then spun into fibers, and the solvent is captured and recycled back into the process.

According to Lenzing’s technical documentation, the TENCEL™ Lyocell process recovers more than 99.8% of the NMMO solvent. Brands making bamboo lyocell specifically (like ettitude and Boody) report solvent recovery rates of 98-99%.

The cellulose structure isn’t chemically altered in this process, and the end product is compostable. We go deeper into the comparison between bamboo viscose and bamboo lyocell below.

Mechanically Processed Bamboo

There is also a separate mechanical process that involves crushing the bamboo plant and using natural enzymes to break it down into fiber. This is the most natural method, and the resulting fabric has a coarser, linen-like texture rather than the silky softness of bamboo viscose.

Unfortunately, this process is very time-consuming and cost-intensive and isn’t commercially common. You’ll only see it in some high-end or specialty bamboo textiles. It’s the only process that produces fabric the FTC allows to be labeled simply as “bamboo”.

Bamboo viscose makes up the vast majority of bamboo textiles, so it’s important to understand what it is and how it’s made.

Bamboo viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric. It starts as a natural raw material (bamboo cellulose), but the chemical processing it undergoes changes its structure so significantly that it can’t be called natural. It isn’t derived from petroleum like synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon, so it also doesn’t qualify as fully synthetic. That’s why it’s classified as a regenerated cellulosic fiber, the same family that includes standard viscose, modal, lyocell, cupro, and acetate.

Is Bamboo Viscose Natural?

While bamboo is a natural plant, bamboo viscose is not a natural fabric because the chemical processing transforms it into something the FTC considers rayon, and marketing it as “natural” or simply as “bamboo” is deceptive.

This matters because many of the properties consumers associate with bamboo (antibacterial, antimicrobial, odor-resistant) are properties of the raw bamboo plant that are not retained through the viscose process. The FTC has stated there is no scientific evidence that rayon made from bamboo retains the natural antimicrobial properties of the bamboo plant.

Is Bamboo Viscose the Same as Rayon?

Bamboo viscose, standard viscose, and rayon are all produced using the same basic chemical process. The only difference is the source of the cellulose (bamboo vs. beech, eucalyptus, spruce, or other wood).

The process and the resulting fiber are functionally identical. Our comprehensive rayon guide covers the chemistry, toxicity, and environmental impact in full detail.

Bamboo fabric is generally safe to wear, but the production process can be toxic to workers and the environment, depending on the type of bamboo fabric.

Carbon Disulfide: The Chemical Used To Produce Bamboo Viscose

Carbon disulfide (CS₂) is the chemical that makes the viscose process work. Its health effects have been studied for over 150 years. According to the ATSDR’s Toxicological Profile for Carbon Disulfide (published by the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry), the most consistently documented health effects in viscose rayon workers include:

• Cardiovascular disease: Multiple occupational studies have found increased risk of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular mortality among CS₂-exposed workers.
• Neurological damage: Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in the hands and feet) is the most sensitive and consistent effect reported in viscose workers, and higher exposures have been linked to symptoms resembling Parkinsonism and progressive brain damage.
• Eye damage: Several cohorts of viscose workers have shown increased prevalence of retinal microaneurysms linked to CS₂ exposure.
• Reproductive effects: CS₂ exposure has also been associated with fertility and hormonal disruption in occupational studies.

In Fake Silk: The Lethal History of Viscose Rayon, physician and medical historian Paul David Blanc documented how the viscose industry systematically suppressed evidence of worker harm throughout the 20th century.

The Changing Markets Foundation’s Dirty Fashion investigations into viscose factories across India, Indonesia, and China found evidence of untreated wastewater being dumped into waterways, toxic runoff destroying local agriculture, and communities reporting severe health problems from living near production sites.

A 2022 study published in Atmospheric Pollution Research estimated global CS₂ emissions from the viscose fiber industry at approximately 577.9 gigagrams in 2017, with China and India accounting for the largest shares.

Is Bamboo Viscose Safe to Wear?

The toxicity risks are concentrated in the manufacturing process rather than in the finished garment. By the time bamboo viscose reaches a consumer, the chemical residues from production are minimal because carbon disulfide is highly volatile (it evaporates readily at room temperature), and the fiber production process includes multiple washing and finishing steps that remove process chemicals.

That said, conventionally dyed and finished bamboo viscose (like most textiles) can carry residual chemicals from dyeing and finishing processes. If chemical sensitivity is a concern, look for bamboo garments certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100, which tests for harmful substances in the finished product.

The bigger question here is whether it’s okay to be wearing a fabric whose production causes documented harm to workers and communities, even if the finished product is mostly safe on our skin. We would think not.

Is Bamboo Viscose Safe for Babies?

This is a common question from parents, and understandably so, because babies have thinner, more permeable skin and spend long periods in direct contact with fabric.

The finished bamboo viscose fabric, when certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (ideally Class I, which is the strictest classification, specifically tested for baby safety), is considered safe for infant skin contact. Uncertified bamboo viscose from unknown producers doesn’t carry those assurances.

For parents who want to avoid the viscose process entirely, bamboo lyocell is the better choice.

Is Bamboo Lyocell Toxic?

Bamboo lyocell uses NMMO, a solvent that is widely classified as low-toxicity compared to carbon disulfide. According to peer-reviewed research published in the journal Fibers, NMMO is not listed as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, ACGIH, or OSHA, and has no known endocrine-disrupting properties.

The closed-loop process means 98-99%+ of it is recovered and reused, and finished bamboo lyocell from certified producers carries OEKO-TEX certification confirming it’s safe for skin contact.

Bamboo fabric does not shed microplastics because it isn’t made of plastic. Both bamboo viscose and bamboo lyocell are cellulosic fibers rather than petroleum-derived polymers like polyester or nylon.

However, bamboo viscose does shed cellulosic microfibers during washing. A 2019 study by Zambrano et al. published in Marine Pollution Bulletin found that cellulose-based fabrics (cotton and rayon) released more microfibers during laundering (0.2 to 4 mg per gram of fabric) than polyester (0.1 to 1 mg per gram), because rayon’s low wet strength makes it especially prone to fiber breakage in the washing machine.

The critical difference is that the same study found that cotton and rayon microfibers biodegraded in natural aquatic environments, while polyester microfibers persisted for long periods.

A 2023 study published in PLOS ONE by researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography confirmed that cellulose-based fibers (including Lenzing’s lyocell and modal fibers) fully biodegraded on the seafloor within 35 days, while polyester remained essentially intact.

So bamboo fabric sheds more fibers than polyester, but those fibers break down rather than accumulating in marine ecosystems the way plastic-based fibers do.

That said, bamboo viscose microfibers can still carry residual dye chemicals and processing agents into waterways before they biodegrade, which is worth considering. And if your bamboo garment is blended with polyester or elastane, those synthetic components will shed microplastics even though the bamboo portion won’t.

The sustainability of bamboo fabric is a story of two halves: the plant is a sustainability champion, but the processing can be damaging.

The Bamboo Plant Is An Eco-Friendly Crop

Bamboo the plant (with a few caveats) is an impressive raw material:

• It grows up to 12 inches per day, making it one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth.
• It doesn’t require pesticides, fertilizers, or irrigation because it thrives on rainwater alone.
• New plants grow naturally from the shoots of harvested plants, so harvesting doesn’t kill the root system.
• Bamboo produces more oxygen and absorbs significantly more carbon than equivalent stands of trees.
• It can grow on degraded land unsuitable for food crops.

However, most of the world’s bamboo comes from China, where regulatory oversight varies and chemical inputs (though not required) may be used to maximize yields. In some cases, land clearing for bamboo monocultures can threaten ecosystems, including habitats for Giant Pandas.

Organic certifications (such as USDA Organic or Ecocert) and forestry certifications (including FSC) help verify that bamboo is grown responsibly.

But be aware that while the raw material can be certified organic, bamboo fabric can only be certified organic if it’s been mechanically processed. “Organic bamboo viscose” is a contradiction.

Processing Bamboo Is Generally Unsustainable

Bamboo viscose production is chemically intensive, energy-hungry, and harmful to workers and the environment. It scores a Class E on the Made-By Environmental Benchmark for Fibres (the lowest possible rating), the same class as conventional viscose and just below conventional cotton.

As we’ve covered above, the Changing Markets Foundation has documented the environmental damage caused by viscose factories in Asia, including untreated wastewater dumped into rivers, toxic air emissions, and severe health problems in surrounding communities.

Human safety and environmental impact go hand in hand. So unless you’re talking about bamboo lyocell, you can assume the processing of bamboo fabric is unsustainable and unethical.

Is Bamboo Biodegradable?

As we have covered above, bamboo fabric (both viscose and lyocell) is biodegradable because it’s made from cellulose rather than petroleum-based polymers. Research has shown that cellulosic fibers break down faster than cotton in soil, with rayon showing a half-life of approximately 22 days in aerobic soil conditions compared to 40 days for cotton.

LENZING™ standard fibers (including lyocell made from bamboo-compatible processes) are certified by TÜV Austria as biodegradable in soil, freshwater, and marine environments.

A 2021 study published in Science of the Total Environment by researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography found that wood-based cellulose fabrics fully degraded in seawater within about 30 days.

But biodegradability only applies to 100% cellulosic garments. Blended fibers like bamboo plus polyester and bamboo plus elastane are not biodegradable. And if bamboo viscose ends up in landfill, anaerobic conditions slow decomposition dramatically and the breakdown process releases methane.

Bamboo Sourcing

Unlike viscose made from tree species like eucalyptus or beech, bamboo grows rapidly and regenerates without replanting, which gives it a theoretical advantage for forest sourcing. However, bamboo plantations can still cause environmental harm if they replace native ecosystems or involve chemical-intensive monoculture practices.

The Canopy Hot Button Report (2025) is the fashion sector’s primary tool for assessing MMCF (Man-Made Cellulosic Fibers) producer performance on forest sourcing. The 2025 edition assesses 98% of global MMCF production across 30 producers, with 70% of producers earning green shirt status or higher.

The top-scoring producers are Lenzing and Tangshan Sanyou, followed by Aditya Birla. Notably, Jilin Chemical Fiber has debuted REBOOCEL, a new recycled bamboo pulp line, and Tangshan Sanyou is advancing the development of Next Gen lyocell using bamboo feedstock. More on these suppliers below.

What Is Bamboo Lyocell?

Bamboo lyocell is a regenerated cellulosic fiber made from bamboo pulp using the lyocell process (see our guide to lyocell linked above). Instead of carbon disulfide, it uses NMMO (a non-toxic organic solvent) in a closed-loop system that recovers and reuses the solvent.

The bamboo cellulose is dissolved directly without being chemically altered, resulting in a fiber that retains more of its natural properties and is fully biodegradable.

Think of bamboo lyocell as the equivalent of what TENCEL™ Lyocell is to conventional viscose. It’s the same basic concept (turning plant cellulose into textile fiber) but executed with cleaner chemistry.

Are Bamboo Lyocell Sheets Worth It?

Bamboo lyocell sheets have become particularly popular, with brands like ettitude marketing them as the premium alternative to bamboo viscose bedding.

From a performance standpoint, bamboo lyocell sheets are breathable, moisture-wicking, and thermoregulating, which is why they’re popular with hot sleepers. They’re also plastic-free, meaning they won’t shed microplastics during washing, unlike polyester-blend “performance” sheets.

The trade-off is price because bamboo lyocell sheets typically cost more than bamboo viscose sheets given the closed-loop process is more expensive to operate. With the additional environmental and health advantages, we think the premium is justified for something you spend a third of your life pressed against.

Bamboo Lyocell Underwear and Clothing

Beyond bedding, bamboo lyocell is increasingly available in underwear, bamboo pajamas, and everyday basics. Brands like Boody (which uses LYOLYTE, a bamboo lyocell made using a process that recycles 99% of the solvent) and Movesgood (which uses NMMO as its sole chemical, fully recycled) are leading this shift.

The softness, breathability, and moisture management of bamboo lyocell make it particularly well-suited for next-to-skin garments because it offers the performance benefits that made bamboo popular in the first place.

Is Bamboo Lyocell Naturally Antimicrobial?

The raw bamboo plant does have natural antimicrobial properties. However, the FTC has stated that there is no scientific evidence that these properties survive the viscose process.

For bamboo lyocell, where the cellulose is dissolved without being chemically altered, there’s a stronger argument that some properties may be retained, but the evidence is limited and brand-specific.

What is well-documented is that lyocell fibers in general (bamboo or otherwise) are less hospitable to odor-causing bacteria because of their moisture management properties. The fiber absorbs and releases moisture efficiently, which means less bacterial growth at the skin-fabric interface.

There are several things to consider when evaluating bamboo vs cotton:

Growing the Raw Material

Bamboo wins easily at the agricultural stage because conventional cotton is notoriously water-intensive, high-emissions, and pesticide-dependent.

Bamboo requires no pesticides, no fertilizers, no irrigation, and grows roughly 12 inches per day from a self-regenerating root system.

Even organic cotton, which eliminates pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, still requires significantly more water per kilogram of fiber than bamboo.

Processing

As covered above, bamboo viscose is processed using the same hazardous chemicals as conventional rayon, while cotton (conventional or organic) undergoes far simpler mechanical processing to separate the fibers from the seed.

Bamboo lyocell uses a closed-loop system with a non-toxic solvent and minimal water.

Performance

Bamboo fabric is generally softer, more breathable, and more moisture-absorbent than cotton. It also drapes more fluidly, which is why it works well for sleepwear and underwear.

Cotton is more durable, easier to care for, and retains its strength when wet (bamboo viscose weakens significantly). Cotton also pills less and holds up better to repeated washing.

Bamboo fabric is breathable, has excellent moisture-wicking properties, decent heat retention, and good stretchability. It also has a nice drape and a silky texture.

Is Bamboo Fabric Breathable?

Bamboo viscose and bamboo lyocell are both lightweight and breathable, making them popular choices for warm-weather clothing because the fiber absorbs moisture well and doesn’t trap heat against the skin. That’s why bamboo shows up in summer dresses, activewear, and bedding.

Is Bamboo Fabric Stretchy?

Bamboo has more natural give than cotton, which is why it works well in activewear and socks. For high-stretch applications, it’s usually blended with a small percentage of elastane or spandex.

Does Bamboo Fabric Shrink?

Bamboo viscose can shrink if washed in hot water or tumble-dried because the fibers weaken when wet. Bamboo lyocell has better dimensional stability and shrinks minimally when washed cold.

Caring for Bamboo

Bamboo fabric is relatively easy to care for:

• Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle. Cold water protects the fibers and uses less energy.
• Skip the dryer where possible and line dry instead because this is gentler on the fibers and more sustainable.
• Use a mild, eco-friendly detergent and avoid bleach and harsh enzymatic cleaners.
• No fabric softener is needed because bamboo stays soft on its own.

Major MMCF Producers

These are the companies that manufacture the bamboo fiber typically used by clothing and bedding brands:

• Lenzing AG (Austria): The world’s largest lyocell producer. Makes TENCEL™ Lyocell and TENCEL™ Modal (primarily from eucalyptus and beech rather than bamboo, but their lyocell technology is the benchmark for closed-loop processing). Tied for the top spot in the 2025 Canopy Hot Button Report.
• Aditya Birla Group / Birla Cellulose (India): One of the world’s largest MMCF producers, producing an MMCF fiber made from FSC-certified bamboo. Holds the #2 ranking in the 2025 Hot Button Report.
• Tangshan Sanyou (China): Tied for #1 in the 2025 Hot Button Report and advancing the development of Next Gen lyocell using bamboo feedstock.
• Jilin Chemical Fiber (China): Debuted REBOOCEL, a new recycled bamboo pulp fiber line, and earned a Dark Green shirt in the 2025 Hot Button Report.
• Sateri (China): One of the largest viscose staple fiber producers globally.

Key Certifications

• OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Tests the finished textile for harmful chemical residues. Look for Class I (safe for babies) for the strictest standard.
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): Certifies that the bamboo (or wood pulp) comes from responsibly managed sources.
• Ecocert: Certifies organic cultivation and processing standards.
• bluesign: Certifies that textiles meet strict environmental and chemical safety standards.
• USDA Organic: Note that this can certify organic bamboo cultivation but cannot certify bamboo viscose as organic.

FTC Enforcement

The Federal Trade Commission has been actively enforcing labeling standards for bamboo textiles. The landmark action came in 2022, when the FTC fined Kohl’s $2.5 million and Walmart $3 million for falsely marketing rayon products as “bamboo” and making deceptive environmental claims.

The FTC’s ongoing enforcement programme has resulted in additional fines against companies mislabeling viscose rayon as bamboo fiber.

The key regulatory positions are:

• Textiles can only be called “bamboo” if they’re made directly from bamboo fiber (mechanically processed).
• Rayon or viscose produced from bamboo pulp must be labeled “rayon made from bamboo” or “viscose made from bamboo.”
• Environmental benefit claims about bamboo-derived rayon products are deceptive if they suggest the manufacturing process is eco-friendly.

Emerging Innovations in Bamboo Fiber

The bamboo fiber space is seeing notable innovation, particularly around circularity and Next Gen feedstock:

• Jilin Chemical Fiber launched REBOOCEL, a fiber made from FSC-certified bamboo and bamboo recycled from furniture, representing one of the first commercial-scale recycled bamboo pulp lines.
• Tangshan Sanyou opened a testing facility for direct textile-to-textile MMCF recycling technology.
• Circulose (formerly Renewcell, Sweden) produces dissolving pulp from recycled cotton and viscose garments.
• Circ launched Fiber Club in 2025, a collaboration with Fashion for Good and Canopy to push circular MMCF production.

Despite these advances, recycled feedstock still accounts for just 1.1% of MMCF production as of 2024, so scaling up remains a meaningful challenge.

Unfortunately, bamboo textiles are one of the most misleading product categories in fashion. Here’s our advice for separating the good from the greenwashing:

Look for these on the label:

• “Bamboo lyocell”: This tells you the fabric was made without carbon disulfide.
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification: Confirms the finished product has been tested for harmful chemical residues. Class I is the strictest (safe for babies).
• FSC-certified bamboo: Indicates the bamboo was responsibly sourced.
• Clear identification of the producer or process: Transparent brands name their fiber supplier and describe their manufacturing process.

Red flags:

• A label that says only “bamboo” or “bamboo fiber”: Either mislabeled (violating FTC rules) or mechanically processed (rare and expensive, so it would likely be highlighted by the brand).
• “Bamboo rayon” or “bamboo viscose” with no certifications: Conventional viscose with all the associated chemical and environmental concerns.
• “Organic bamboo” on a viscose product: This is misleading because the chemical viscose process can’t be certified organic.
• Vague claims like “eco-friendly bamboo,” “natural bamboo fabric,” or “green bamboo”: The FTC has specifically targeted these kinds of claims.
• Very cheap bamboo products from fast fashion brands: Overwhelmingly conventional viscose from brands with the weakest sustainability records.

Is bamboo fabric toxic?

The finished bamboo fabric is generally safe to wear. But bamboo viscose production uses carbon disulfide, a neurotoxin causing cardiovascular disease, neurological damage, and reproductive effects.

Bamboo lyocell is safer and uses a non-toxic solvent in a closed-loop system.

Look for OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification on the finished garment to ensure a safe final product.

Is bamboo viscose safe for babies?

Bamboo viscose that carries OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I certification has been independently tested and confirmed safe for baby skin contact. Uncertified bamboo viscose from unknown producers doesn’t carry those guarantees.

Bamboo lyocell is the safer choice because it’s produced without carbon disulfide.

Is bamboo a natural fabric?

The raw bamboo plant is natural, but most bamboo fabric is bamboo viscose, a semi-synthetic fiber produced through intensive chemical processing.

Only mechanically processed bamboo (which is rare and expensive) qualifies as a natural fiber.

Is bamboo viscose breathable?

Bamboo viscose is lightweight and breathable, with good moisture absorption, and it doesn’t trap heat against the skin, which is why it’s popular for summer clothing, bedding, and sleepwear.

However, the moisture-wicking properties that brands advertise are a feature of the rayon fiber structure rather than a unique property of bamboo. Standard viscose made from any wood source would perform similarly.

What is the difference between bamboo viscose and bamboo lyocell?

Bamboo viscose is made using carbon disulfide (a toxic chemical) in a process that releases significant pollutants. Bamboo lyocell is made using NMMO (a non-toxic organic solvent) in a closed-loop process that recovers 98-99%+ of the solvent.

Both start with bamboo cellulose and both produce soft, breathable fabric, but bamboo lyocell is dramatically more sustainable and safer for workers, and it’s more expensive because the closed-loop process costs more to operate.

Does bamboo viscose have microplastics?

No, because bamboo viscose is a cellulosic fiber rather than a plastic. It does shed cellulosic microfibers during washing, but research confirms these biodegrade in aquatic environments, unlike the persistent plastic microfibers shed by polyester.

However, if your bamboo garment is blended with synthetic fibers, those components will shed microplastics.

Is bamboo better than cotton?

It depends which bamboo and which cotton you’re comparing. Organic cotton is more sustainable than bamboo viscose because cotton’s processing is simpler and avoids toxic chemicals.

But bamboo lyocell is a stronger environmental performer than conventional cotton. For fabric properties, bamboo is softer and more breathable, while cotton is more durable and easier to wash.

Why did the FTC fine retailers for selling bamboo products?

In 2022, the FTC fined Kohl’s ($2.5 million) and Walmart ($3 million) for marketing rayon products as “bamboo” and making deceptive environmental claims.

The FTC’s position is that once bamboo cellulose undergoes the viscose process, the resulting fiber is rayon, and marketing it as “bamboo” with claims like “eco-friendly” and “sustainable” is misleading because the manufacturing process uses toxic chemicals and produces hazardous pollutants.

Bamboo fabric is not as black and white as those pandas.

Bamboo viscose is produced using the same toxic chemistry as conventional rayon. Calling it “eco-friendly” because the raw material is bamboo is a bit like calling a processed food “natural” because one of the ingredients was once a vegetable.

Bamboo lyocell, on the other hand, represents what bamboo fabric could and should be with a closed-loop process, a non-toxic solvent, and the ability to biodegrade. So, if you want bamboo in your wardrobe or on your bed, spend the extra money on bamboo lyocell from a reputable brand and avoid bamboo viscose.

And if you’re looking for breathable, comfortable fabrics that skip the viscose question entirely, hemp and linen are right there waiting.

Please share this with anyone you know who may appreciate some guidance on bamboo fabric.

Editor’s Note: Originally published September 2020 and updated several times since. We published a major update in May 2026 with new sections on bamboo viscose toxicity, FTC enforcement history, and more.