What viscose really is and why bamboo is used

Short answer: Viscose is a fibre made from plant cellulose, and in a bamboo T-shirt the starting point is bamboo. The fabric is soft and drapes loosely, but wet it is more delicate than dry. That is why it needs a gentle wash if the T-shirt is to last.

What viscose really is

Viscose is a fibre extracted from cellulose. The cellulose is dissolved and spun into fine threads, which become yarn and fabric. So viscose is a plant fibre that has been formed anew, and not a purely natural fibre like cotton, which is harvested straight from the plant.

How bamboo becomes viscose

The starting point is cellulose from the bamboo plant. It is dissolved chemically and then spun into fibres, in the same way as viscose from other plants. The finished fabric contains no bamboo in the classic sense, but viscose with bamboo as the raw material. That is the honest description of bamboo T-shirts for men.

How the fabric feels against the skin

Viscose feels smooth and soft and drapes loosely on the body. Many find it cool when they put it on, because it can absorb moisture. How soft a T-shirt ends up being also depends on the yarn, the knit and the finishing, not only on the fibre itself.

Why bamboo is used as a raw material

Bamboo is a plant with a lot of cellulose, and manufacturers use it as a starting point for viscose. The raw material is only part of the story. Yarn quality, weight and cut decide at least as much about how the T-shirt sits and feels, and those are things you can check when you try it on.

Viscose compared with cotton

Cotton is a natural fibre harvested straight from the plant. Viscose is a regenerated cellulose fibre. Both can absorb moisture, but viscose often drapes smoother and softer, while cotton usually feels firmer and drier. Which you prefer is a matter of taste and need, and there is no single right answer.

How viscose behaves in the wash

Wet viscose is more delicate than dry. Wash the T-shirt at a low temperature on a gentle program, avoid a hard spin and do not wring it out. Let it dry in the air and always follow the care label. The same goes for socks for men made of a similar material.

The limits of the fabric, stated honestly

Viscose can crease and twist out of shape if it is washed too hot or too hard. In return it feels soft. If you need a very firm, coarse T-shirt for heavy work, another material may suit you better. There is nothing wrong with choosing by use.

What to look for when you buy

Read the label, because it tells you which fibres the garment is made of. Think about how you will wear the T-shirt, and choose weight and length accordingly. If you want the same feeling all the way through, combine it with bamboo boxer briefs, which are also made of viscose from bamboo.

Frequently asked questions

Is bamboo viscose the same as viscose?

Yes, the fibre itself is the same. The difference lies in the raw material, meaning the plant the cellulose comes from. The finished material is viscose in both cases.

Is a bamboo T-shirt made of real bamboo?

Not as a fibre in the classic sense. The bamboo is dissolved into cellulose and spun into viscose, so bamboo is the raw material while the fabric is viscose.

Is viscose easy to care for?

It needs a little attention. A low temperature, a gentle program and air drying keep the fabric in shape, and the care label is always the best source.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.