Competition Winner

Back in the early months of the year, we ran a competition asking all our newsletter subscribers to email us with their preferred choice of colour for our new Bamboo/Cotton Towels. We had a huge response, some rather interesting suggestions, but remarkably most feedback requested our chosen colour... we then went ahead and produced our best selling towels in Charcoal.

Congratulations to Daniel who was our lucky winner. Daniel will receive a set of Charcoal Towels shortly.

Bamboo Towels are very soft and absorbent. Unlike bamboo bed linens, a bamboo towel is generally a bamboo/cotton blend. The added cotton does not increase absorbency, but gives a feeling of loft. Our bamboo towels come in bamboo bath sheets, bamboo bath towels, bamboo hand towels & bamboo face cloths

Bamboo is 100% sustainable, making our bamboo towels some of the most eco-friendly towels on the planet.

Towels will be on sale online from Monday 20th October 2014.

Controlling your garden bamboo

Even though I love bamboo as a plant, garden screen and an environmentally responsible raw material, the strength and tenacity of this plant can also be its downfall if it’s in your garden and you do not wish to harvest your bamboo for mass textile production for products such as linens and towels.

Controlling your garden bamboo

While bamboos are usually a good, ornamental plant, here are some of the problems encountered and if grown without caution, can become problematic and take over your patch:

Bamboo shoots may pop up anywhere in the garden: neighbouring land or even through solid barriers, such as in patios and conservatory floors. Most weed-suppressant groundcover fabrics will not stop bamboo spreading

The problem tends to be with the invasive types of bamboo. These bamboos spread via long rhizomes, which help the plant to colonise new areas

The clump forming bamboos can also grow out of control, but do not tend to spread as much as the running bamboos

Digging

Non-chemical methods involve digging out clumps of bamboo and restricting the size. This can be difficult with very large plants, or on heavy soil. Use a sharp spade to dig up the entire clump or to remove sections from the edge of the clump that have grown beyond the limits. Sever the rhizomes as you go, lifting and removing them with a fork or trowel. If you wish to keep the plant, consider planting it inside a physical barrier like a pot or raised bed.

Chemical control

You can use a weed killer to remove unwanted growth, or the whole plant. The larger the plant, the more difficult it will be to completely kill it, and it may take several applications of weed killer to succeed

Removing the whole plant

With very tall bamboos, which can be difficult to spray, cut down canes to soil level in late winter and then apply a suitable to the young growth in late spring and early summer. Several treatments may be needed

Alternatively, cut canes to ground and treat with a stump and root killer. Treat foliage of any regrowth as soon as possible.

Respect your bamboo… it has a mind of it’s own.

How clean is your bathroom?

Poor bathroom hygiene can present a health risk to the entire household. When not cleaned properly and often, a dirty bathroom becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and germs that spread illness through the house.

Following some basic hygiene rules can prevent germs from spreading. It involves keeping surfaces clean and dry and removing possible 'breeding grounds' for germs. The regimen is not just healthy; it's considerate to all family members. The dirt and germs you leave behind can linger and spread illness to other family members.

Personal Hygiene
 Teeth Brushing
Overall bathroom cleanliness begins when you clean yourself. Replace your toothbrushes every three months. Don't let your toothbrush hang in the holder with other family members as germs can easily spread this way. And never share a toothbrush with anyone. That's the quickest way to spread infections.
 Hands
Wash your hands thoroughly each time you use the bathroom. Germs spread quickly by touch. Instruct all family members to wash their hands with warm, soapy water after using the toilet. Educate young children early about the importance of toilet hygiene.
 Drying off
Use disposable towels to dry your hands instead of a cloth towel that everyone would use. By using disposables, you'll be throwing away germs instead of spreading them. Communal towels contain bacteria and viruses that cause illness.
Bath towels should be changed and washed regularly. Hang them up to dry after use; the longer they remain wet, the more germs will collect on the towel. Try using bamboo blended towels which are not only anti bacterial and anti-fungal, but are soft and luxurious as well. And most importantly, environmentally totally sustainable.

Surfaces

All bathroom surfaces should be cleaned regularly. These include the door handle, faucets, toilet, sink, floor and shower/bathtub.

Shake water from the curtain after showering to prevent buildup of mould and mildew. Always leave the curtain open so water evaporates. Clean the curtain liner once a month.

Occasionally remove your showerheads and soak them overnight in vinegar or a commercial cleanser. This removes the build-up and dirt that clogs the head and contaminates the shower water.

Be especially careful when cleaning the toilet, especially if a family member is sick. All toilet parts should be cleaned regularly including the seat, rim, lid, bowl and flushing handle. Always wipe the toilet seat with tissue before and after using.

Author: Laura Toursoulopoulos Follow us on Google+

Squeaky Clean

My search for good quality bamboo products continues. This week I have tried Bamboo Charcoal soap. Thinking I was onto something new, I discovered after brief research that Bamboo soaps have been around for many years and have incredible healing properties. Have I been wasting pots of money on expensive luxury face washes when all I needed in my oily spot-prone teenage years was a bar of bamboo.

My first face wash felt a bit like using any other bar of soap. I enjoyed the lather and feeling of ‘soap & water’ on my skin, however was waiting for the taut, paper-like feeling that you get after a ‘soap-and-water’ wash. Instead, I got soft, clean skin that felt as though I had already moisturised it.

Thankfully I no longer have acne prone skin; however it seems that this healing soap can cure most forms of acne. Bamboo charcoal has high mineral contents such as potassium, calcium, iron, and sodium. For many years, people especially in Japan uses bamboo charcoal for many purposes, from households, kitchen tools, and medicines. This would explain why the soap seems to have medicinal purposes for most skin types.

So with my bamboo charcoal soap firmly positioned on my bathroom shelf, I wait eagerly to try other bamboo soap such as Bamboo Vinegar. Unfortunately my supplies are few and far between as sourcing this from abroad. Hopefully we get some of this good stuff locally soon. In the meantime, though, it’s worth browsing other bamboo  products such as linen, towels and blankets.

'Green' up your act!

With Summer behind us, kids back at school, we turn our focus to all things home. I’ve been sorting out old clothes that don’t fit anymore, selling and giving away toys that have been collecting dust and generally making space for a cleaner, clearer, more organised lifestyle.

Along with these changes come a feeling of energy and enthusiasm to keep things ‘green’ and eco friendly where possible. Small changes and that make a big difference.

The kinds of changes I’m thinking are things like using biodegradable cleaning products and changing from plastic to re-usable calico shopping bags. Nothing that will complicate my life, only make it greener.

Another area of waste that I’ve decided to tackle is food. Throwing out over ripe fruits and veggies is wasteful. Preserving them or baking with them is an easy option and being mindful of only buying what you need in the first place. Beware Multi Buy deals!

Limiting the number of washes can also help reduce water waste. Fewer, larger washes are what we should aim for… and don’t forget the biodegradable detergent.

With regards to spare time, most of us default to a TV, pc, ipad, ipod, electronic device of some sort. I really enjoy times when we switch all gadgets off… with the exception of a light depending on the time of day and even then a real treat for the kids is using candle light, and playing games together or reading to the kids until bed time. This not only reduces our energy bill but also improves family time and quality of relaxation over weekends.

My other areas of improvement are walking or cycling rather than driving… obviously this is not always possible, but buy it’s amazing how many options we have around us when we look or when we occasionally find ourselves without a vehicle.

If shopping for new home goods, be sure to look for green options, such as bamboo linens and home wares. For a great selection, go to 100bamboo.com. And of course, don’t forget to recycle!

Bamboo Baby Towels : New Colours Coming Soon.

Alongside our premium Bamboo Bed linen and Towel range, 100% Bamboo Ltd offers premium baby towels. Our Bamboo Hooded Towels  have become one of our best-selling items and we're increasing the range of colours to include Pink, Blue, White and Yellow

These towels are a 50% blend of organically grown Bamboo and Cotton, offering the loft of cotton and all the health and environmental benefits of bamboo as well as superior absorbency and a soft luxurious feel for baby's sensitive skin. Bamboo fibre is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal  and is completely sustainable.

Our towels are a generous 90 x 90 cm with a hood on one corner to make bath time comfortable for baby and convenient for parents. Intended for birth to 2 years, however, they seem to last well beyond this unless your child is particularly tall.

Colour options include White towels with the choice of Pink, Blue, White or Yellow Trim.

To purchase visit www.100bamboo.com

Get Knitting this Fall

Sleek, soft, 'drapey' and airy, bamboo fibres are obtained from the pulp of the bamboo plant and ideal for cool breathable lightweight knitted garments.

Bamboo fibers are relatively short, which means that 100% bamboo, unless it is super tightly spun or in a ribbon, tape, or other special construction, sheds a lot. The fibers don't pill because they don't have the scales or barbs on them that animal fibers do which causes them to cling to each other. Rather, bamboo just develops a pretty thick fuzzy halo quickly and with very little abrasion.

Bamboo is therefore commonly blended with other fibers, probably to help minimize the fuzzing issue, but also to lend bamboo's positive attributes to the other fibers. Sheen like silk but less expensive, relatively cool to wear, and it does have antibacterial properties. One trait strongly in bamboo's favour is its sustainability as a harvestable crop. Bamboo has an extremely rapid growth rate, making it a very sustainable material.

With many of the best names in the knitting industry having their own bamboo blends on the market, it is easy to get knitting with this wonderful product.

If knitting is too time-consuming and you’d rather just order a nice cosy blanket online, have a browse of the bamboo blankets at 100bamboo.com

Adopt a Panda

Since we’ve discovered bamboo and the wonders of this natural resource, we have also taken an interest in our panda friends… mainly prompted by the awareness of not stealing their food for our pleasure of new linens. We have sufficient confirmation that Pandas do not choose the species of bamboo grown for textiles, however this does mean that they are thriving. There seem to be any other risk factors for these endangered bears.

Since there are only 1600 Giant Pandas living in the wild in China, every effort made by us will assist and support conservation efforts.

Consider adopting a panda and making a regular contribution to these beautiful creatures that without our help will soon be a historical legend rather than a living species.

Bamboo Bristles

In my quest to find new, great quality Bamboo brushes,  I discovered the best hairbrush I’ve used in years.

Strong, durable and lightweight, these brushes have a luxurious look and feel to them, and brush through hair like a pro!

When offering it to my hair-dresser to do a blow dry, she commented that it was wonderfully light, yet strong making it a welcome treat after 8 other blow dries that day.

Knowing that they are environmentally sustainable, chemical free and biodegradable makes the treat of a new hair brush or all the more enjoyable.

If you are new to bamboo brushes and bamboo in general, browse our home linens and towels at www.100bamboo.com.

Green Tourism

While browsing our family holiday options for this Summer, I noted a few independent hotels and B&B’s claiming to be part of the Green Tourism venture. Upon further reading, I found that there is an active and thriving community for companies striving to be Green and that it is now quite feasible to choose Green accommodation in many regions of the country. With more support for these ventures, the community will grow and we will hopefully see larger hotel chains converting to a Greener hospitality approach.

 ‘Green Tourism businesses are on a green journey, they have not reached perfection but they are focused on being sustainable, responsible and green. This is demonstrated through our three grading levels (Bronze, Silver and Gold).

Every two years each of the Green Tourism Members are visited and assessed by a qualified professional to ensure standards are maintained as follows:

•They are committed to sustainable tourism and minimising its damage to the environment

•They operate in accordance with all relevant legislation and regulations

•They meet standards of good practice across a range of sustainable development indicators

•They are committed to providing a good quality of service’ www.green-tourism.com

Hotels and B&B’s are starting to accept that guests want it all… a restful, luxurious nights’ sleep, great meals and an environmentally aware offering. Some companies are choosing ethically sourced décor options like bamboo linens and towels, while others are more food focused with some having started their own organic fruit and veg gardens that also contribute to local food banks allowing other hotels in the community to share and benefit. The general approach is to move towards an environment free of toxic chemicals and to choose sustainability over convenience.

Brush with Bamboo

My mission continues to source good quality lifestyle products, made primarily from bamboo that will not only impress but offer uses luxury and peace-of-mind that the environment is not being scarified for our comfort.

My latest find is Bamboo toothbrushes… and rest assured these are made from MOSO bamboo…. One of the many varieties that Panda’s do not eat. (They’re actually quite a fussy lot!)

The toothbrush looks basic, simple and not very 'new age', with almost a retro feel to it or perhaps something your grandparents would have grown up with.

What it offers, is a no-nonsense, firm brush with a full mouth piece, so if you prefer a gentler feel, opt for the soft bristles and perhaps even the kids size head.

The bamboo handle feels like wood, but a very smooth, strong, wood. No splinters on these eco babies.

So, for the sake of saving a pile of plastic toothbrushes that will never break down in our lifetime, I think giving up a bit of modern ergonomics for your teeth and going green with these bamboo bristles, makes perfect sense.

Now you might want to try out some other bamboo home wares. Have a browse at www.100bamboo.com for more ideas.

100 Bamboo Ltd supports Race for Life

Well done to the team at 100% Bamboo Ltd for competing in the Cancer Research Race for Life on Sunday 25^th May in Guildford, Surrey.

Two runners, Laura from 100 Bamboo and Lizelle from Jumpstartphysiontherapy  ran together and completed the race in under 26 mins and were cheered on by their husbands and children.

Cancer Research UK holds 5km and 10km runs around the country and it is amazing to see how an event like this brings people together in the fight against cancer.

Our Race for Life event was also on a dry, warm, day- and seeing the sea of pink T-shirts ahead helped us stay motivated and keep on jogging.

It was such a fun family day out and there were all ages from buggy age to teens – I even saw dogs taking part in the race (Next time I may bring my German shepherd along to join in the fun).

All in all a great day and a great sense of achievement in helping to fight cancer with an exceptional fund-raising effort of  nearly £300. Watch this space for more Race for Life Event updates.

Perfect Corners on your beds?

Ever noticed the nice neat corners on hotel beds?

Anyone who worked in a hospital, the armed forces, or a hotel will probably be familiar with hospitality corners on their beds. It's a very neat way to tuck the sheets under the mattress at the foot of the bed. It’s very straightforward if you know the simple steps so read on. See image from The Art of Manliness © to illustrate the instructions.

Position a flat sheet over the mattress. The long edges and the foot edge should hang below the bottom of the mattress, and the long edges should hang equally.

Tuck the foot edge under the mattress from corner to corner. Make sure the sheet lies smoothly.

Pull one long edge onto the mattress so that the sheet goes smoothly around the corner. The folded edge of the sheet should form a 45 degree angle (approximately) from that corner on the surface of the bed. The neater and more wrinkle-free you can pull this off, the better your hospital corner will be.

Put your hand on the long side of the corner to keep the edge smooth. Tuck in any part of the sheet that is hanging below the mattress. You should be able to remove your hand, and the corner will stay smooth and tight. A good rule of thumb is that both edges of the sheet should be lined up and vertical.

Bring the sheet corner on the bed over the edge of the mattress. Tuck the hanging edge tightly under the mattress.

Repeat on the other corner.

This method works best when there is a generous over-hang of the flat sheet. For luxurious 300 TC Bamboo Flat Sheets and that offer ample overhang, visit 100bamboo.com. 

Choosing your linens

There are plenty of sheet materials, thread counts, and styles out on the market; from 400 thread count Egyptian cotton, to the finest silk sheets, there are dozens of sheet sets to choose from. To assist you in choosing the best linens for your bedroom, we’re going to compare the popular cotton sheets with the environmentally favourable bamboo sheets to see how the newest trend stands up to most popular cash crop.

Comfort

We all love our high-thread count sheets, but not much compares to the silky smoothness of bamboo sheets. Often compared to silk, and in some cases, cashmere, woven bamboo fiber sheets are luxurious from day one. There are certainly many options in the cotton world as well, but in the cotton and bamboo price range, bamboo wins the softness battle every time.

Absorbency

Whether you’re a sweaty sleeper, or you just don’t have the air-con on this summer, you can combat your sweaty nights with the high absorbency of bamboo sheets. Bamboo is able to absorb up to 300% of its weight in moisture, making them the ideal lightweight material for summer slumber.

Eco Friendliness

We all know how eco-friendly bamboo is, but do we know the negative aspects of cotton? Unfortunately, cotton is the most highly sprayed cash crop in the country, making it not so eco-friendly. Bamboo can thrive without the use of pesticides and fungicides, and is one of the most rapidly renewable raw materials on the planet. If you’re looking for an eco-friendly way to get the most out of your shut-eye, toss your cotton sheets aside for bamboo.

Resilience

You’ve heard about bamboo’s tensile strength, but you may not realize that much of that strength comes directly from the fibers of the plant, meaning that the resulting textiles of 100% bamboo are also incredibly durable. When properly laundered and cared for, bamboo sheets are more resilient than cotton, and can last up to three times as long as cotton sheets without losing their soft and silky texture.

When it comes down to it, it’s really difficult to beat the qualities of bamboo in the bedding world. From eco-friendly harvesting to hypoallergenic sleeping, bamboo sheets and bedding give you more for your money than even the finest Egyptian cotton.


If you're looking Bamboo Duvet Covers, Sheets, Blankets and Towels, browse the classic range at www.100bamboo.com

'Tis the Season... to be married

It’s now May. I personally have 2 wedding invites this month and know of many more for which I haven’t made the list. By June the UK Summer Wedding season will be in full swing and every hair salon will be operating at half capacity on Saturdays as all the stylists will be at weddings and every beauty salon will be seeing off lively bridal parties painted and glossed in pretty French manicures.

 So as a dutiful guest, how do you purchase an appropriate gift which the bridal couple will appreciate, not get 10 duplicates of and most importantly won’t break your bank account, especially considering the 6 weddings you may have been invited to in any given summer season.

Many couple these days offer wedding lists, which of course gives guidance as to what they would like and need. Some people however feel embarrassed about being so forthright with gift requests, or it’s a relatively small list and it’s all gone by the time you get to look at it, or even worse, only the £200 Crystal vase is remaining. You may or may not fin the gift list helpful.

Another option is to group together with several friends of the bridal couple and to purchase something of a higher value that each of you individually would not have been able to purchase. The down side is that you may feel that the couple will not identify any one particular gift with yourself and you’ll get lost in the group effect. You will also all need to contribute roughly the same amount and some can comfortably afford more than others.

So if neither of the above have solved your gift giving dilemma, and you are left to make your own choice, remember to be mindful of their situation in life. Have they been living together for several years, in which case they will have most household items that they need.  The next consideration is what type of people they are? Perhaps they are particularly environmentally aware, or have exotic or eclectic tastes. And lastly, the gift will hopefully be around for longer than your average birthday treat of flowers and chocolates.

With these factors in mind, I come back time and time again to home linens, towels and blankets. And to ensure they are appreciated by all, I want them to be luxurious, yet not cost a fortune and for the eco-friends, I’ve chosen Bamboo products which ensure they are environmentally sustainable and made from organically grown bamboo.

If you are looking for the perfect wedding gift, have a browse of these bamboo products including linens, blankets and towels at www.100bamboo.com.   The colours are classic and will work with almost every home.

Which Nappy

My nappy hunt began when my first child was a year old. After a rough calculation that I will change her approximately 6 times per day for 3 years, which tallied a

roughly 6400 nappies, I knew I could improve on the landfill impact that 1 single child had, never mind a family of 2 or 3 kids.

So I ventured to world of re-usable nappies and was pleasantly surprised how hassle-free it was. I wont mis-lead you… nothing is as easy as the leading brand of disposables, however, which such a vast reduction in paper product leaving my house, I didn’t mind the slight chore of washing the outer nappy daily and flushing the liner and its contents down the loo.

The choice of reusable nappies is growing, and most of them seem to be either pure bamboo or a combination of bamboo and cotton. The reason for popular bamboo use for nappies is that bamboo has 2 naturally occurring features… those being the hypoallergenic and the super absorbent properties of bamboo.

 The pop-in bamboo nappies are ideal for everyday  nappy use and you can purchase as many outer ‘shells’ as you’d like making less demand to was frequently.

Benefits and features

Perfect for sensitive skin, antibacterial, hypoallergenic and breathable

Super soft elasticated waistband and stretchy side tabs

Multisized poppers can be adjusted as baby grows from birth to potty

Natural bamboo keeps babies warm or cool as needed

Quick and easy to change with ‘poppers’ fastenings

Double gusset protects from leaks

Super absorbent and designed to hold wetness in the core

Waterproof outer shell

In addition to all the practical features, there are also many attractive designs available make your child’s’ nappy an accessory… well, almost.

If you are interested in other bamboo products including linens, blankets and baby towels, have a look at 100bamboo.com.  

Chop, chop, chop

I use cutting boards on a daily basis. Cutting fruits, vegetables, meat, chicken, or seafood, a good knife and a cutting boards make the task quite simple. Upon noticing that my aged white plastic chopping was no longer anything like white and probably harboured an array of germs in the tiny cracks that appear over time, I was faced with choosing my new chopping board and to be truly diligent and separate meat from all other foods, I was looking for 2, perhaps even 3. I found a variety of materials on offer. The two most popular materials used are plastic and wood and these come in all shapes, finishes, thicknesses and textures.

Clean your Chopping  Board
While choosing chopping boards, the dilemma with plastic vs wood cutting boards obsesses many. When one thinks about it rationally, a plastic cutting board is more prone to bacteria as its surface is not porous. As compared to a wooden cutting board, due to its porous surface, even though bacteria may penetrate, it won't have the sufficient condition to reproduce and will die eventually. Plus, a wooden cutting board lasts longer than its counterpart.

You might find it useful to know how both these cutting boards should be cleaned. These steps will not help remove the stains off the boards, but they are useful for disinfecting them as well.

Wooden Boards
There are variety of woods used in making cutting boards. Out of them, the most popular one is a bamboo cutting board. Yes, bamboo is technically a grass, but the finish that it gives is wood like in all obvious characteristics.  Regardless of which wood is used to make the cutting board you own, the following cleaning tips should be administered.
To clean, place the board into a sink half filled with clean, hot, soapy water. Wear rubber gloves and use a washing up sponge, scrub the entire board, turn it around so that the other end soaks and scrub again.
Once complete, rinse with warm clean water and place in a drying rack. Do not soak your wooden board in the hot, soapy water unnecessarily.

To sanitize, again place the board into a sink half filled with hot water. Mix in 1 tablespoon chlorine bleach or lemon juice if you prefer with the water.
Submerge the wooden board completely in the bleach water and leave it in for about 10 minutes. Rinse under hot water and leave the board in the sun to dry completely.

Plastic Boards
Plastic cutting boards tend to have deep cuts because of the sharp knives. If these deep cuts on the board are not disinfected properly, you could be risking the chances of passing on bacteria. It is advised that you change plastic cutting boards from time to time especially those used for meat and poultry. If there are any instructions given on the wrapping you should use those instead of these generic steps as there may be particular treatments or coatings used.
To clean, take a cloth or sponge and wipe the board after every change of food. With a plastic brush, scrub the surface of the cutting board and then proceed to the same method as for wood.
You should properly clean your board after every cooking session, just as you would your plates and counters. Just rinsing plastic and wooden cutting boards under water isn't enough.

Based on look, feel and hygiene, I chose 3 bamboo chopping boards in small, medium and large. So far so good.

If you are interested in other bamboo products including linens, blankets and towels, have a look at 100bamboo.com.

Walk all over it....

When recently refurbishing our new home, I was faced with the big questions of Flooring... carpets, laminate, hardwood and more. Once deciding on wooden flooring, the decision became a little trickier.Hardwoods offered a huge variety in grains, colours, textures and even bamboo featured in the category, offering even more varying characteristics.

At first glance bamboo and hardwood flooring materials may appear to be the same thing. They have a similar look, feel, and share many characteristics between them. However Bamboo is a type of grass, whereas hardwood is harvested from lumber and trees. Because of this there are some very specific differences that set these floors apart from each other.

Hardness Ratio Of Bamboo and Wood

Bamboo: In it’s natural untreated state bamboo is relatively hard compared to most wood flooring choices. However, darker materials will tend to lose some of this durability. That is because the darkness is attained through a process known as carbonization This is achieved by placing the bamboo under extreme heat and pressure, which causes the hue to shade, but also somewhat weakens the material.

To put it in practical terms, carbonised bamboo will have a hardness rating somewhere from 1000-1100, whereas bamboo in it’s natural state will have a hardness of 1300-1400. This will be affected to some extent by the process used to make the material, and the amount of carbonisation applied to it. Darker bamboo is almost always softer.

Hardwood: There are dozens of different species of both hard and soft woods that can be used as flooring materials. On the low end you will have woods such as pine and Fir, that have hardness ratings of 600-900, while on the upper end you have materials such as Walnut and Teak which can get as high as 2500-3500 on the relative hardness rating.

You might be wondering what difference it makes if your floor is somewhat hard versus extremely hard – and basically the difference is Wear and Tear. The softer floors tend to mark, scratch and dent easier whereas harder floors might possibly withstand stilettos and few dropped forks without too much harm.

Appearance Differences

Hardwood: Once again, you have numerous species to choose from when selecting hardwood flooring, and each will have its own unique look, feel, and patterns. This is compounded by the fact that different cuts will also produce different levels of grain consistency.

You can pick through a variety of species and options, and find something that will perfectly match the style of your environment.

Bamboo: While there are various species of bamboo, they all generally produce a consistent looking end product. This is similar in appearance to hardwood, while also being distinct, in that it features very apparent horizontal lines running through it’s surface. The colour of bamboo is also a unique, soft golden colour, however that can be tempered to a darker tone by the carbonization process.

When it comes to the White and Grey hues, you’ll generally only find these amoungst the hardwood ranges.

Environmental Impact of a Bamboo Floor

Bamboo is one of the most highly renewable natural resources available. Unlike trees which take upwards of 20 years to reach maturity, Bamboo can be fully ripe and ready for harvest in 3-5. It is also recyclable, and bio degradable. That means that as a material it has a very low impact on the environment.

With both types of flooring as with all of the consumable goods we use these days, you also have to consider the impact of CO2 gasses released in transporting bamboo from where it grows, in Southeast Asia, to the rest of the world.

Bamboo for other areas in the home

Because of it’s environmentally sustainable claim, bamboo is becoming ever more popular, not only for flooring but for textiles, clothing, home goods such as chopping boards, bicycles… the list is endless. For textiles, I recommend taking a look at www.100bamboo.com that offer bamboo linens, towels, blankets and more. This should keep you well on track to becoming a environmentally responsible shopper.

Bamboo in the Garden

Whatever your garden shape or size, there are plenty of ways in which you can use bamboo. Either as a screen or hedge or just purely ornamental.

Bamboo Plant for Gardens, Containers, and Pots

There are a huge number of species suited to different conditions such as climate and soil.

Some species are adaptable for growing in both the ground and containers. If you don't want to plant your new bamboo out or are undecided as to where to site it in the garden, or if you like to move your plants around occasionally, plants in pots the way to go.

Ornamental Bamboo

There are all kinds of bamboos that make a fantastic ornamental style garden attractions whether in the ground or in pots.

Groundcover

Small bamboo can be used for ground cover, be grown in containers, or used as accent plants. Ground cover plants help to retain moisture in the soil and can be applied to landscaping designs, erosion control, for under planting, and as a cover for sloping ground. There are many varieties of dwarf bamboo that are excellent for these purposes.

Hedge

Bamboo garden hedging can make quite an impact and can be trimmed. It generally makes a dense hedge suitable for providing a divider between properties or covering a bare fence or wall.

Privacy Screen

Bamboo plants can easily be cultivated into a privacy screen and can be trimmed or pruned to suit the design of your garden.  Again, these can be cultivated into dense screens that are perfect for a natural divider either between different areas of your own garden or between properties.

Bamboo is not only a gardener’s friend, but offers many household uses too. From chopping boards, to bicycles, linens to nappies, bamboo offers the environmentally aware shopper eco-friendly and sustainable goods. For linens, blankets and towels visit www.100bamboo.com

Welcome Spring... Allergies

On this first day of spring, I wake to 5 sneezes, my husband complains of a sore throat; my daughter has 3 of her own sneezes. The Telegraph advises that things don’t bode well for hay fever sufferers, saying that the weather in the past week has created the perfect conditions for trees to start releasing their pollen.

Hay fever, which apparently in some cases can bring on asthma can be so debilitating that it's a good idea to know you have a safe haven to go to where allergens are kept to a minimum. This is usually indoors where windows are generally kept shut.

Maintaining an allergen free room or 2 in your house may prove very useful if you or any other family members are struggling this spring. This can be achieved by combining various products and changes in lifestyle. An air steriliser will destroy allergens in the air and on surfaces. Using the allergy sprays will ensure that allergens on furnishings and in the laundry are kept to a minimum. By making a habit of showering and washing your hair before going to bed and leaving clothes outside your bedroom, you reduce the risk of bringing pollens and other allergens into your bedroom. Also remember to keep pets from entering your bedroom as they can not only introduce pet allergen into the room but can also bring in pollens on their coats.

Making your bed dust mite proof with the use of either dust mite proof barrier cases or bamboo bed linens that are believed to have naturally occurring anti-bacterial and hypo-allergenic properties thereby deterring house dust mite,  will ensure that you are not exposed to the dust mite allergen while you are in your bed or your bedroom.

Why Bamboo?

Since starting my online Bamboo Company, 100bamboo.com, I’ve been asked many times what made me choose Bamboo as a product to retail and market. Quite simply a visit to China.

The Telegraph Traveler quotes: ‘ With its high-octane energy, can-do drive, teeming population and challenging language barrier, China can be an exhausting destination for the first-time visitor.’

It sure was an eye-opener and I have never, in my 15 plus years of western travel felt anywhere near as ‘novice’ as I did in Beijing and the surrounds. The people are focused, driven to proceed with their daily lives and do not seem to be bothered by tourists gawking and observing their remote and eastern lives.

China is a big, diverse country and smart travellers will narrow down their must-see list to a select few destinations. Approached wisely, China is as uplifting as it is intriguing. It is also an essential stop for anyone hoping to learn more about the direction the world is taking this century.

Bamboo plays a vital role in Chinese culture and its influence can be found in almost every facet of life. This was long before it was popular for anything other than flooring the in the UK, and I realised that perhaps the Chinese are embracing this super plant, technically a grass, for it’s diversity, durability and most importantly it’s longevity as they know more than any of us that once raw materials are exploited, it’s a matter of time before they become farmed, manipulated, and possibly a shadow of it’s former self.

With Bamboo growing up to 3 feet per day in peak growing seasons, it’s quite comprehensible that this raw material is going to remain a lot more sustainable than it’s cotton and wool counter-parts.

Discovering, feeling and using bamboo linens in China for the first time, made me see a gap in our UK and European offerings for this soft, luxurious and most importantly sensible choice of raw material.

We now offer Bed Lines, Towels, Blankets and Socks and hope to expand further into home textiles and culinary goods in the coming year.

Eco-furniture buying

The "organic" certification doesn’t exist in the furniture category as it does in food and clothing. While some items will have organic material and paints/treatments etc, organic alone isn’t the be-all, end-all when it comes to furnishing your home with eco-friendly materials.

As a general rule, always try ad source organic fabrics and fills and certified ecologically harvested wood, bamboo, non-toxic finishes, fair trade, local, artisan-crafted or reclaimed finds.

Starting with fabrics, you are likely to find:

•Organically Upholstered furniture: Look for chairs and sofas covered in organic fabrics and stuffed with natural latex foam.

•Mattresses: Organic cotton, organic wool and natural latex are all good alternatives to the materials used to create conventional mattresses.

•Futons: Organic mattresses are pricey — there’s no question about it. Futons can be a cost-effective alternative, and you don’t have to use them on those funky, tough-to-sit-on folding frames; there are platforms and flat frames available, too.

Wood furniture:

Many newly manufactured wood items these days carry FSC logo on them.  The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international non-profit that encourages sustainable forestry, offers FSC certification to companies that harvest wood in accordance to FSC’s requirements.

Buy a piece of furniture made from FSC-certified wood and you’ll actually be able to trace the wood to where it was harvested, as these products have to go through a chain-of-custody certification process in order to carry the FSC stamp. And if it’s polished with a no-VOC finish and upholstered with organic fabrics — wool, cotton and the like — you’ll have a piece of furniture that’s as close to being organic as you can get.

Consider bamboo

Although technically not a wood (it’s a grass), it looks like wood, and it is typically grown with few to no pesticides. And, because it grows so fast, sustainability isn’t much of a concern. Bamboo is used for a vast amount of everyday items these days and is featuring more and more in modern design. It’s strength and durability are making it ever more popular in the furniture industry.

Steer clear of toxic materials and finishes

The simplest way to avoid toxins like formaldehyde and PBDEs is to buy furniture made from materials that don’t contain them.

Upholstery marked as stain resistant has most likely being treated with Teflon which is the product most often used to make fabrics stain resistant. Teflon contains perflurorchemicals (PFCs), which can break down into a toxic blood contaminant called perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA. There’s been some back and forth about whether fabric treatments and the like release a dangerous amount of PFOA, but in the research done on this substance, Enviroblog, a project of EWG’s Action Fund, reports that over 90 percent of Americans are showing PFOA in their blood, making it a prudent choice to limit your exposure to PFOA as much as possible.

Source local/artisan and locally grown materials

Buying from the source works as well with furniture as it does with organic food. Look for locally produced and artisan furniture in local newspapers and classified ad sites, and at craft fairs. Look for handmadel furniture made from salvaged wood and metal, organic wool and cotton, and recycled fabrics. This also reduces airmiles that sure wrack up pollution bills when considering the thousands of miles many new items travel from China.

Recycle, reclaim or re-purpose

Creatively reusing or recycling everyday objects into completely different things is a great way to come up with furniture and accessories that are truly one-of-a-kind items. It can also reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills. According to the American Society of Interior Designers, 90 percent of everything manufactured in the United States ends up in landfills less than a year after production.

Uses of Bamboo

What products can be made from bamboo? There is a famous Asian saying; "A man is born in a bamboo cradle and goes away in a bamboo coffin. Everything in between is possible with bamboo!"

Forestry:

• Erosion Control
• Soil Stabilization
• Environmental Remediation
• Windbreaks
• CO2 Sequestration
• Sound Screens
• Landscaping

Wood Industry:

• · Laminate Flooring
•   Beams
•   Poles

• Paper Industry:
• Newsprint
• Bond Paper
• Toilet Tissue
• Cardboard
• Cement Sacks
• Coffee Filters

Textiles:

• Clothing
• Underwear
• Socks
• Bullet Proof Vests
• Blankets
• Towels
• Sheets
• Pillows
• Mattresses
• Baby Diapers

Food and Drinks:

• Bamboo Shoots
• Bamboo Wine
• Bamboo Tea
• Bamboo Beer
• Bamboo Vinegar
• Charcoal Coated Peanuts

Automotive industry:

• Steering Wheels
• Dashboards
• Interior Trim
• Body Parts

Sports and recreation

•   Bicycles
•   Skateboards
•   Surfboards
•   Snowboards
•   Polo Balls
•   Baseball Bats
•   Ski Poles
•   Fishing Rods
•   Helmets
•   Inline Skates

Electronics

• iPhone/IPad Cases
• Mouse
• Keyboards
• Headphones
• Speakers
• Laptops

Farming

• Greenhouses
• Fencing
• Fish Traps
• Farming Tools
• Baskets
• Animal Fodder
• Beehives
• Containers
• Animal Pens
• Props and Support Sticks
• Water Pipes
• Waterwheels

With a list like this, it’s little wonder why bamboo continues to grow more popular in the main stream economy and more international investment is being granted to the bamboo economy. Lets hope the organisational bodies controlling these ventures maintain the ethos of protecting the raw material rather than exploiting it.

Consider trying something new in Bamboo to experience the benefits yourself. Perhaps some Bamboo Linens from 100bamboo.com. Luxury linens, blankets, towels and more that wont 'cost the earth'.

Decorating with Bamboo

The New Bamboo

It can grow more than three feet in a single day, replenish itself with abandon, release 35 percent more oxygen than its fellow plants, and thrive without pesticides. But those eco-friendly qualities are probably not what attracted architect William Merchant to bamboo back in 1939, when he appointed an entire room in the knuckled grass at a design exposition in San Francisco, sparking a craze that captivated the era's most audacious decorators. More than 70 years later, bamboo has made a comeback as a design material. But this time, it has a larger range than ever.

Natural Neutral

"The possibilities for using bamboo have expanded exponentially in the last 15 years with the advent of new technology and machinery," says Susanne Lucas, executive director of the nonprofit World Bamboo Organization. The fastest-growing plant in the world shows up in all kinds of products, including flooring, furniture, and textiles. "I am really impressed with the upholstery fabric," Martha Stewart Living's Kevin Sharkey says. "Bamboo blends are available in damasks, stripes, and wovens, and none of them look like tatami mats. Even more impressive is how they feel. The fabrics are as soft as cashmere but more durable."

Golden bamboo pieces, such as the lamp and the room divider, bring warmth to a space. The window shade, the sofa fabric, and the small throw pillow are also made with the grass.

Pretty and Practical Details

The engineered wood flooring is made of strips of bamboo adhered to a plank made of other types of wood. This blend of woods is thought to make engineered bamboo floors tougher than typical wooden planks. Fabrics woven with a blend of bamboo and cotton, linen, or polyesterare more durable than their purebred counterparts

A Serene Retreat

Striated bamboo -- which shows up on the walls, sink, and furnishings -- gives bathrooms a spa-like feel. Once available in only a few earthy hues, bamboo textiles can now be found in all kinds of elegant colors, such as these muted towels.

Consider Bamboo

Because Bamboo fabrics are naturally anti-microbial and anti-fungal, they tend to repel damp rather than harbour it. This prevents a musty smell developing. Bamboo linens are available at http://www.100bamboo.com/c/56/bamboo-bedding. The range includes Bamboo Bed Linen, Bamboo Blankets and Bamboo Towels and Baby Towels.

Tags :  Bamboo ,  Bamboo Linen ,  Bamboo home Linen

Author: Laura Toursoulopoulos Follow me on Google+

Growing Bamboo

Although the trend for bamboo is growing fast, there’s still a lot of questions out there about this tall, striking plant. Instant Jungle International has been dealing with bamboo and other tropical plants for 30 years and they have , answered  some frequently asked questions.

1.  Doesn’t all bamboo run rampant once planted?

Bamboo comes in two forms, clumping and “grove-like” or running bamboo. Running bamboo can be easily contained with root barrier. Root barrier is usually a 30 or 40 mm polyethylene plastic sheeting that encircles the area where you want the “grove-like bamboo” to stay contained. It is supplied in 24”, 30” and 36” depths and ships in roll

2.How fast does bamboo grow?

Bamboo varieties differ in rate of growth. The timber varieties grow fairly fast and can grow quite tall, ranging from 25’-45’ in maturity. Other varieties reach a shorter height and grow somewhat slower.

 3. How many kinds of bamboo are there?

There are hundreds of varieties of bamboo. Most varieties that are used ornamentally in garden number about 20-30.

4.  Are there bamboo types that can be used indoors?

Some bamboo varieties may be used in an interior application– there must be sufficient overhead lighting and good ventilation

5.  Are there commercial uses for bamboo?

Bamboo is used in large commercial applications more often than most people know. Rooftop Gardens in cities are becoming extremely popular and, many office parks where tall screening has been required, as well as living screens to hide parking garages and to create a more private intimate setting.

 7.  What are the most common residential uses for bamboo?

The most common residential uses for bamboo are for “living screens” or specimen pieces that stand on their own.

8.  How high does bamboo grow? Can you control it?

There are many species of bamboo that grow in different ways. Some are very dense with a “hedging” appearance, the most popular being Bambusa Multiplex “Alphonse Karr”. Other varieties grow quite tall and are either very dense or somewhat open at the base if they are shaded. These are commonly called timber bamboo and come in both clumping and running varieties. Some of the common names are “tropical timber bamboo” or Japanese Timber bamboo.

 9.  Does bamboo need constant watering?

Bamboo is in the same family (plant) as grasses, therefore it prefers regular irrigation. This can be accomplished many ways.

10.  Does bamboo need a lot of maintenance?

Bamboo does not require a significant amount of maintenance. We recommend a yearly pruning of the older canes, to encourage and provide space for the new culms (shoots) to emerge. This occurs once a year, late spring for the temperate bamboo, and summer to fall for the tropical bamboo.

11.  Where does bamboo originate?

Most bamboos originate in China.

Bamboo facts

• Bamboo as a textile has been available for 1000's of years

• Bamboo is a grass

• Bedding made using bamboo was first seen through mass market chains in February of 2006 in America

• Similar process to viscose or rayon manufacture. Invented by Samuel J Courtauld in 1906

• Cotton as 5% the worlds crops contribute 25% the worlds pesticides

• Cotton is one of the biggest users of water in areas of the world where there is a growing water shortage.

• Bamboo fiber resembles cotton in its unspun form, a puffball of light and airy fibers

Benefits of Bamboo

•Luxuriously Soft – Feels similar to silk or cashmere. You’ll LOVE the way it feels!

•Naturally Hypoallergenic & Antibacterial

•Provides UV Protection (We still recommend you use sunscreen!)

•Highly Absorbent – Moisture wicking keeps you dry. Bamboo is 300% more absorbent than cotton.

•Insulating – keeps you cooler in summer and warmer in winter

•Strong & Durable

•Eco-friendly & Sustainable

Planet benefits

• Very renewable resource

• Pesticide-free, organically grown

• Little to no water to grow

• Plantation inhales CO² and exhales O² into the atmosphere

Consider Bamboo

Because Bamboo fabrics are naturally anti-microbial and anti-fungal, they tend to repel damp rather than harbour it. This prevents a musty smell developing. Bamboo linens are available at http://www.100bamboo.com/c/56/bamboo-bedding. The range includes Bamboo Bed Linen, Bamboo Blankets and Bamboo Towels and Baby Towels.

Tags :  Bamboo ,  Bamboo Linen ,  Bamboo home Linen

Author: Laura Toursoulopoulos Follow me on Google+