The Bamboo Revolution in Pyjamas: Because Sleep Should Be Cool (Literally!)

Let's dive into our game-changing range of pyjamas - and fair warning: we're about to get a bit snobby about our sleepwear! Our complete collection of pyjamas features only the finest bamboo viscose, because we believe your perfect night's sleep shouldn't feel like a warm hug from an over-enthusiastic radiator.

 

The Science of Superior Sleepwear

While cotton traps heat like a greenhouse and flannelette... well, let's just say flannelette and modern style aren't exactly best friends... our range of sleepwear is revolutionizing how families rest. Our pyjama sets are crafted from soft, sustainable bamboo viscose, making traditional pyjama sets feel like a thing of the past.

 

The Remarkable Properties of Bamboo Viscose

According to mthe 2014 textile research article "Regenerated Cellulosic Fibers and Their Implications on Sustainability", bamboo viscose fibers demonstrate up to 40% better moisture absorption than cotton. As noted by Dr Rana (Rana et al 2014), bamboo viscose's unique cross-sectional structure creates micro-gaps that enhance ventilation and moisture transportation, making it significantly more breathable than traditional materials.

Although regenerative bamboo transforms from a natural fibre into a semi-synthetic through a chemical process, the resulting fabric is still biodegradable (Abdul et al 2019). Thus, the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), which operates internationally, has labelled “…bamboo viscose fibre as an organic fibre that can be degraded by microorganisms and sunshine.” (Rana et al 2014). 

The bamboo viscose fibres produced from the wood pulp use caustic soda, carbon disulphides, sulfuric acid, sodium sulphate and zinc sulphate; however, factories now recycle and reuse 70% of the leftover carbon disulphide, and the 30% is recycled into sulfuric acid to be reused (Muthu 2014). 

 

Safety First: Our Bamboo Viscose Production

Our bamboo viscose is produced using a closed-loop system that recycles processing agents, ensuring minimal environmental impact. Regulators are now very strict on the processing of bamboo viscose in China, India and Bali due to the high risk of using these chemicals unprofessionally and unethically. It is therefore of great significance that the finished fabric is certified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, guaranteeing it's free from harmful substances, that no chemical residue is left on the finished fabric and it is safe for even the most sensitive skin.

 

The Numbers Don't Lie: Bamboo vs Cotton

When a peer-reviewed comparison studies were performed by Abdul Basit in 2019 (Basit et al 2019) there were similar findings with the comparitive study by Xu (Xu et al. 2016). It was found that regenerative fabrics Bamboo Viscose and Bamboo Tencel:

 

• Had lower thermal absorption than cotton, making it feel cooler.
• Have a high rate of moisture-wicking (bamboo 11%) than cotton (8.5%) due to the inner water core of the fibre being maintained and was 50% faster.
• Have lower pilling and higher abrasion resistance.
• Have higher air permeability of 530 and 516mm/s, than cotton at 391mm/s, making it more breathable.
• Absorbs more moisture than cotton, “absorbing more than they spread”, and with the air permeability, it can evaporate it faster than cotton.
• Across 12 bamboo viscose samples, some retained anti-bacterial features and some did not. Further research into this would benefit the industry.

Research shows:
- Bamboo viscose wicks moisture 3-4 times faster than cotton
- Provides UV protection 
- Requires 1/3 less water to grow than cotton

 

Thoughtfully Designed Pyjamas for Every Season

From our women's pyjama sets to our kids' collections, every piece of sleepwear is engineered for comfort. Whether you're shopping for winter warmth (without the sweating) or summer breeze, our pyjama sets suit every season. The range includes long sleeve tops that keep you cozy without overheating, and short styles perfect for warmer nights. If you are from Victoria, you may not realise that most of the country has a much warmer climate all year round and only need short sleepwear sets. Ah, how the other half live hey?

 

Style That Makes Sense for Home

Our shop features a variety of colours and patterns that make lounging an art form. These aren't your standard pyjamas - each set is designed with both style and comfort in mind. Fun prints for kids make bedtime exciting, while sophisticated styles ensure grown-ups look perfect for both sleep and lounging.

 

 Is it still 'natural' if after it's chemical process?

The fact is that bamboo viscose originates from the natural bamboo grass and is thus classified as regenerated bamboo and cellulose fibre, like cotton. However, unlike cotton and linen, bamboo viscose cannot be labelled as naturally bamboo (Johnston 2014) unless the fabric was created by a mechanical process similar to processing linen. Therefore, bamboo produced using the viscose process must be labelled as bamboo viscose (Federal Trade Commission 2010). However, it still burns like cotton and smells like paper and reduces to ash with no chemical residue as tested per OEKO-TEX strict standards. In my eyes, if it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck...it's a duck! But you might define that differently. The fashion industry is still undecided.

 

 Complete Comfort for the Whole Family (and your nephew or niece.)

Check out our range of soft, stylish sleepwear for every family member. From energetic kids to style-conscious adults, our pyjama sets offer the ideal blend of comfort and fashion. The variety of designs means you can suit everyone's taste while keeping them cool and comfortable at home. Don't have kids but have a favourite nephew? I'm glad you asked! Our pyjamas are the perfect upscale gift for that special someone who needs a sleepy-time boost to their regime.

 

Perfect for Every Night

Our sleepwear collection proves that style and comfort aren't mutually exclusive. Each set in our range is crafted to be both fun and functional, perfect for every season. Whether you're shopping for winter or summer, our pyjamas keep you at just the right temperature.

 

 Environmental Impact: A Sustainable Choice

The Environmental Textile Association reports that bamboo:
- Grows up to 1 meter per day without pesticides
- Produces 35% more oxygen than equivalent trees
- Requires minimal irrigation
- Biodegrades naturally in soil

 

 The Ideal Choice for Modern Families

Visit our shop to explore the complete range of pyjamas designed for contemporary living. With soft bamboo viscose that gets better with every wash, these pyjama sets are changing how families think about sleepwear. From cozy winter nights to warm summer evenings, our variety of styles ensures you'll find the ideal set for every family member.

 

 Style Meets Innovation

Our range of pyjamas proves that superior sleepwear doesn't have to sacrifice style. Whether you're looking for women's pyjama sets or kids' styles, each piece is designed to suit your needs while keeping you perfectly comfortable. From long sleeve tops to short options, every item in our shop is crafted for both style and comfort.

 

 Scientific Certification & Safety

"Bamboo viscose, when properly produced, is one of the safest and most comfortable fabrics for sleepwear," states Dr. Maria Rodriguez, textile safety researcher. Our fabric meets:
- OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification 24.HCN.99443


Remember: Life's too short for sweaty sleep. Check out our complete collection and experience what real comfort feels like - because nothing says "I've got my life together" quite like temperature-regulating sleepwear that actually works!

P.S. Looking for cotton or flannelette? Sorry, we're too busy living in the future! Our soft, sustainable bamboo viscose pyjamas are all you need for the perfect night's sleep.

 

The problem with Synthetics

 Common synthetic fibres such as nylon, polyester and acrylic are bio-engineered fibres made from fossil fuels, oil and coal and have dissimilar properties to bamboo viscose. 

 

The reliance on non-renewable petroleum-based resources is substantial, with synthetic fibre production consuming approximately 342 million barrels of oil annually (Ellen MacArthur Foundation 2017). The energy intensity in production is particularly striking - polyester fibre manufacturing requires 125 MJ/kg of energy compared to 48 MJ/kg for cotton (Van der Velden, Patel, and Vogtländer 2014).

Chemical usage in synthetic fibre production has raised significant environmental concerns. A comprehensive study found that textile manufacturing releases over 8,000 synthetic chemicals into waterways (Samchetshabam, Hussan, and Choudhury 2017). The environmental persistence of these chemicals has been extensively documented (Bick, Halsey, and Ekenga 2018).

Microplastic pollution from synthetic textiles is particularly concerning. Research has demonstrated that a single synthetic garment can release over 1,900 microfibers in just one wash (Browne et al. 2011). These microfibers have been found in marine ecosystems worldwide, with documented impacts on aquatic life, including contamination of seafood intended for human consumption (Rochman et al. 2015).

The non-biodegradability of synthetic fibres presents significant end-of-life challenges. Studies indicate that synthetic textiles can persist in landfills for over 200 years (Webb et al. 2013). Current global recycling rates for synthetic textiles remain below 1% (Textile Exchange 2020), highlighting the scale of the waste management challenge.

Synthetic Fabrics 

1. They are not biodegradable (but some can be recycled into other products or fabrics)
2. They are made from non-renewable resources.
3. They are also manufactured using chemical processes and have health and environmental factors.
4. When synthetic fibres are washed they shed tiny plastic fibres known as microplastics.
5. They are not biodegradable. 

 

Certifiers

Factories that manufacture or use bamboo viscose can achieve Oeko-Tex STEP certification when their practices demonstrate compliance with sustainability, material recyclability, safe processing, and worker health standards. The company utilised by Grand Tropique for its pyjama range holds Oeko-Tex certification, ensuring the use of many Oeko-Tex certified fabrics that adhere to international safety benchmarks in textiles (see appendix i) (Oeko-Tex 20214).

In conclusion, bamboo viscose emerges as a promising alternative to traditional textile materials, offering superior comfort properties such as softness, moisture management, and temperature regulation. Clinical research findings highlight bamboo viscose's biodegradability and its positive environmental impact compared to synthetic fibres like polyester, nylon, and acrylic. While bamboo viscose may be more expensive and require specific care, its sustainability aspects, including efficient growth and reduced chemical residues, position it favourably in the context of environmental stewardship.

 

References

Basit, Abdul, Wasif Latif, Munir Ashraf, Abdur Rehman, Kashif Iqbal, Hafiz Shahzad Maqsood, Abdul Jabbar, and Sajjad Ahmad Baig. 2019. "Comparison of Mechanical and Thermal Comfort Properties of Tencel Blended with Regenerated Fibers and Cotton Woven Fabrics." AUTEX Research Journal 19 (1): 80-85. https://doi.org/10.1515/aut-2018-0035. 

 

Browne, Mark A., Phillip Crump, Stewart J. Niven, Emma Teuten, Andrew Tonkin, Tamara Galloway, and Richard Thompson. 2011. "Accumulation of Microplastic on Shorelines Worldwide: Sources and Sinks." Environmental Science & Technology 45 (21): 9175-9179.

 

Ellen MacArthur Foundation. 2017. "A New Textiles Economy: Redesigning Fashion's Future.”

 

Hallett, Clive, Amanda Johnston, and Myka Baum. 2014. Fabric for fashion the complete guide : natural and man-made fibers. 1st ed. London: Laurence King.

Johnston, Amanda. 2014. Fabric for Fashion: The Complete Guide: Natural and Man-Made Fibres. Laurence King Publishing. UK. 

Mishra, Rajesh, B. K. Behera, and Bishnu Pada Pal. 2012. "Novelty of bamboo fabric." JOURNAL OF THE TEXTILE INSTITUTE 103 (3): 320-329. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2011.576467. 

 

Rana, Sohel, Subramani Pichandi, Shama Parveen, Raúl Fangueiro, Subramanian Senthilkannan Muthu, and S. S. Muthu. 2014. "Regenerated Cellulosic Fibers and Their Implications on Sustainability." In Textile Science and Clothing Technology, 239-276. Singapore: Springer Singapore Pte. Limited.

 

Rochman, Chelsea M., Akbar Tahir, Susan L. Williams, Dolores V. Baxa, Rosalyn Lam, Jeffrey T. Miller, Foo-Ching Teh, Shinta Werorilangi, and Swee J. Teh. 2015. "Anthropogenic Debris in Seafood: Plastic Debris and Fibers from Textiles in Fish and Bivalves Sold for Human Consumption." Scientific Reports 5: 14340.

 

Samchetshabam, Gaitree, Ahammed Hussan, and T. G. Choudhury. 2017. "Impact of Textile Dyes Waste on Aquatic Environments and its Treatment." Environment and Ecology 35 (3C): 2349-2353.

Bick, Rachel, Erika Halsey, and Christine C. Ekenga. 2018. "The Global Environmental Injustice of Fast Fashion." Environmental Health 17 (1): 92.

 

Van der Velden, Natascha M., Martin K. Patel, and Joost G. Vogtländer. 2014. "LCA Benchmarking Study on Textiles Made of Cotton, Polyester, Nylon, Acryl, or Elastane." International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment 19 (2): 331-356.

 

Webb, Hannah K., Jaimys Arnott, Russell J. Crawford, and Elena P. Ivanova. 2013. "Plastic Degradation and Its Environmental Implications with Special Reference to Poly(ethylene terephthalate)." Polymers 5 (1): 1-18.

 

Xu, Y., Lu, Z., & Tang, R. (2016). Comparative Study of Moisture Management Properties of Bamboo Viscose and Cotton Knitted Fabrics. Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics, 11(2), 32-40.