Viscose bamboo, what the name tells you

Short answer: Viscose bamboo is the name for a fabric in which cellulose from bamboo has been dissolved and spun into new fibres. The name tells you that the raw material is bamboo and that the fibre is manufactured. It is not bamboo in its raw form, but a soft, smooth fabric for clothes.

What does viscose bamboo mean

Viscose is a manufactured fibre made from plant cellulose, and bamboo is the plant the cellulose comes from. Put the words together and you get viscose bamboo, a fabric that can feel soft and smooth and behaves much like other cellulose fibres.

Why the name appears on the label

The label has to show which fibre a garment is made of, so it usually says viscose or bamboo viscose rather than just bamboo. Always read the fibre name, because it tells you what the fabric is and how you should treat it in the wash.

The difference between bamboo and viscose bamboo

Bamboo as a plant is hard and woody, and it is not used directly as soft clothing. Only once the cellulose has been processed into viscose can it be spun into yarn, which is why people say viscose from bamboo rather than simply bamboo about the fabric.

How viscose bamboo feels

The fibres have a smooth surface and a soft drape, and the fabric usually feels pleasant close to the skin. It varies with the knit and the yarn, though, so some pieces feel thinner and lighter than others, and you should feel for yourself before you choose.

Viscose bamboo in underwear

Because the fabric is soft and smooth, it is often used in underwear, which sits close to the skin all day. Here bamboo boxer briefs can be a good place to start, if you want to feel the fabric yourself and read the fibre name on the label.

Caring for viscose bamboo

Viscose fibres are weaker when wet, so wash gently and not too hot. Use a mild programme, turn the garment inside out and avoid the tumble dryer, and the fabric keeps its soft surface and shape for longer, so the clothes can be worn for a long time.

What the name does not promise

The name viscose bamboo says something about raw material and production, but nothing about how dense or hard-wearing the fabric is, or about colours and fit. Judge clothes by knit, composition and care instructions, not only by the name, and look at the overall impression.

How to use this in daily life

Once you know the name, you can read a label with confidence and compare pieces on equal terms. You could begin with bamboo underwear for men and bamboo T-shirts for men, where the fibre name appears on every product.

Frequently asked questions

Is viscose bamboo the same as bamboo

No, bamboo is the plant, while viscose bamboo is a fibre made from the plant's cellulose. The fabric has been processed and is not raw bamboo.

Why does the label say viscose and not just bamboo

The label has to show the fibre type, and here that is viscose, even though the raw material is bamboo. That is why viscose and bamboo are often named together on clothes.

Should viscose bamboo be washed gently

Yes, the fibres are weaker when wet, so use a mild programme and avoid the tumble dryer. Always follow the care label on the individual garment.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.