Why “Bamboo Lyocell/Rayon” Isn’t Always as Eco-Friendly or Baby-Safe as It Sounds ~ A honest note from the Honey Bunny Baby team
Hi friends,
We know how tempting those ultra-soft “bamboo” baby clothes and blankets can be—we’ve stood in the aisle 7 doing the same cheek-squeeze test you have! But after years of researching fabrics for Honey Bunny Baby (and only choosing materials we’d happily wrap our own babies in), we feel it’s important to share what we’ve learned about bamboo textiles. Spoiler: the reality is a lot less green and gentle than most labels suggest.
The good news first
Bamboo as a plant is genuinely impressive: fast-growing, low-water, no need for pesticides. On paper, it sounds perfect.
The part most brands don’t mention
To turn hard bamboo stalks into that silky fabric, the plant has to be chemically dissolved and regenerated. There are two main processes:
| Most “Bamboo” Items on Shelves (Viscose/Rayon) | The Cleaner Version (True Bamboo Lyocell) | |
|---|---|---|
| Main chemicals | Carbon disulfide, sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid | Non-toxic amine oxide solvent (NMMO) |
| Chemical recovery rate | Very low — most waste released into environment | 99 %+ recovered in closed-loop system |
| Worker & water safety | Documented health and pollution concerns | Significantly safer |
| Natural bamboo benefits left | Almost none (antibacterial properties destroyed) | Some remain |
| Can it be fully GOTS-certified? | Extremely rare | Possible, but still uncommon |
In short: 90–95 % of what’s sold as “bamboo fabric” is chemically processed rayon that’s simply rebranded to sound sustainable. The U.S. FTC and similar regulators have repeatedly cracked down on misleading “bamboo” claims for this exact reason.
Is it safe for baby skin?
Standard bamboo rayon/viscose often carries trace amounts of processing chemicals that can irritate sensitive or eczema-prone skin. Closed-loop bamboo lyocell is considerably safer, but even then it rarely meets the strict GOTS standard we require at Honey Bunny Baby.
Why we chose GOTS-certified organic cotton instead
- Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers
- No toxic chemical baths at any stage
- Third-party tested for harmful substances from farm to finished product
- Proven to stay soft and safe for years (many of your blankets are now on baby #2 or #3!)
We’re not saying never buy bamboo—just read the fine print. If it only says “bamboo” or “bamboo viscose/rayon” without mentioning closed-loop lyocell or GOTS certification, it’s usually regular rayon wearing a greener label.
You and your little one deserve materials that are gentle from seed to cuddle—no compromises.
Warmly, The Honey Bunny Baby Team
P.S. Have you ever been surprised by a “natural” fabric claim? We’d love to hear your experience in the comments.
#OrganicCotton #BambooFabricTruth #BabySafeFabrics #SustainableBaby