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Bamboo is one of the world’s fastest-growing and most sustainable crops. It takes as little as four years to reach maturity and can grow up to a meter every day. It also requires no pesticides and can thrive on only rainwater. Its eco-credentials are impressive, and so is its versatility. Take a closer look at five unique bamboo items that deserve a place in your home.
Bamboo Cookbook Stands
A bamboo cookbook stand works perfectly with all the wooden décor seen in most kitchens. However, a cookbook stand is a little smarter than one made from maple or cherry, as it has several properties which help it double as a cutting board. Bamboo is very dense, so it resists warping or cracking, even without treatments. Its density also helps it resist knife scarring, so it’ll look just as good when it returns to its book holding duties. Bamboo’s natural antibacterial properties should provide extra peace of mind during your food prep.
Bamboo Bath Towels
When most people think of bamboo they think of the hard stick-like plant that pandas munch on. So it might seem crazy to think of using a fabric made from bamboo to dry yourself, but bamboo bath towels are actually a really smart choice. Bamboo is incredibly soft, because unlike cotton, its fibers are naturally round and smooth. Bamboo is also naturally porous, so it wicks moisture away from your body and dries you more efficiently. Bamboo also has natural antibacterial properties, so bamboo towels resist bacterial growth even when your kids leave them screwed up on the bathroom floor!
Bamboo Toothbrushes
You’ve probably never thought about greening your toothbrush, but it actually makes a lot of sense to choose one made from a sustainable material like bamboo. Individual toothbrushes might be small, but every year around 50 million pounds of toothbrushes enter America’s landfills. Since they’re made of plastic, the majority never break down. Bamboo toothbrushes cost a little more than traditional toothbrushes, but you can simply toss them in the compost once they’re worn out. Their smooth handles also feel wonderful to hold.
Bamboo Deodorizers
Many Americans rely on deodorizers to hide unpleasant odors in the home. But have you ever thought about the effect of spraying around all those chemicals? If you’d prefer a more natural solution, look to bamboo deodorizers instead. These deodorizers are made from bamboo charcoal which comes from the fast growing moso bamboo. Asian cultures have been enjoying its natural deodorizing and dehumidifying properties for more than five years, and the Western world is beginning to take notice.
Bamboo deodorizers absorb odors rather than just covering them up. In fact, they’re four times more absorbent than regular charcoal. They’ll absorb negative chemicals in the air, including formaldehyde and ammonia, helping you breathe easy. They also soak up moisture in the air, so you can put them in closets or drawers to prevent mold and mildew from colonizing your property. When used correctly, a bamboo charcoal deodorizer can last for up to a year. Since it’s all natural, you can then toss it in your compost to break down.
Bamboo Mice and Keyboards
Give your home office a makeover with a bamboo mouse and keyboard set. While these office accessories look a bit more stylish than the usual plastic computer components, their appeal is more than aesthetic. The computer mouse is the germiest item in any office, harboring three times the bacteria of a toilet seat. Keyboards are a close second. Since bamboo has natural antibacterial properties, opting for a mouse and keyboard made from this fiber will make your home office much cleaner.
And this is just the beginning. With unique products like these and many more available, it’s worth thinking about bamboo when choosing your household items.
Resources:
http://www.beagleybrown.com/is-bamboo-a-sustainable-fabric-or-is-it-just-bamboozling-us/
http://eco-chick.com/2013/07/28693/is-bamboo-fabric-an-eco-textile-fraud-the-textile-test-series-investigates/
https://www.softsurroundings.com/page.php?file=faq&faqId=150
http://thegreenlivingcenter.com/node/137
http://www.cariloha.com/gifts/occasions/house-warming/bath-towel-set-white-with-caribbean-mint.html
http://www.cuttingboard.com/blog/top-five-benefits-of-a-bamboo-cutting-board/
http://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/2015/07/29/splurge-bamboo-recipe-stand.html
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