The Best for Your Baby: Reasons to Get Bamboo Towels & How to Maintain Them

From the moment you find out you’re going to be a parent, it’s only natural to put the well-being of your child first. From the instant the doctor confirms a baby is on its way, parents start obsessing about finding the best for their little one. The best pacifier, the best crib, the best stroller – and the list of “bests” goes on until you’ve spent a small fortune. Not even a simple towel will be bought without investing great forethought. To give you from overthinking about what types of towels are best for your baby, here is a helpful recommendation – bamboo towels. Here are some reasons why they are the very best for your baby.

Free of Chemicals

Did you know that towels are heavily treated with chemicals to get that soft feel? So, when the towel gets wet, a portion of those chemicals is released. While you may not notice this as an adult person, for a baby with delicate skin they can easily cause irritating rashes, allergies or eczema. This is why it’s so important to buy organic towels, like bamboo towels for instance. Bamboo towels have a unique fibre structure that makes them naturally soft without needing to be treated with harsh chemicals. Additionally, the bamboo plant itself also harvested without any use of toxic pesticides or artificial fertilizers. With that being said, bamboo hooded towels are a gentle, chemical-free option for your baby.

Naturally Antibacterial

Are bamboo towels antibacterial? Yes, research  has confirmed that the rumours about bamboo are true. Some of the reason for bamboo’s antibacterial and anti-fungal properties is the fact that the bamboo plant has a natural protective agent called bamboo kun. This agent prevents bacteria, fungi and other pests from damaging the plant which is why bamboo has no need for pesticides.

Some amounts of the agent are preserved even after the manufacturing process, which results in antibacterial and hypoallergenic bamboo products such as bedding and towels. In the case of towels, the antimicrobial property of bamboo helps prevent mildew from growing on towels that are moist. And this means that you can safely use the same towel for days. Considering how babies generate a lot of laundry, needing to wash the towels less often can be really helpful.

Thermoregulating Properties

Bamboo is a fabric with thermoregulating properties. Or in other words, when it’s cold it helps you warm up, and when it’s hot it helps you stay cool. This property can be very helpful for newborns. In the first couple of months, babies have little body fat which makes them unable to properly regulate their body temperature. As a result, newborns can often struggle to reach the ideal body temperature, especially after bathing. When their damp skin comes into contact with the air, it causes a drop of the body temperature which doesn’t feel pleasant to the child. So, by wrapping your baby in a thermoregulating bamboo towel, you’re helping him/her warm up faster.

Moisture-Absorbent & Quick-Drying

Another great thing about bamboo hooded towels is that they absorb moisture very quickly, helping to dry your baby faster. Compared to cotton towels, bamboo towels are four times more absorbent. Besides bamboo’s incredible moisture-wicking properties, the material is also quick-drying which means the towels won’t stay damp for long and contribute to the humidity of your bathroom.

How to Take Care of Bamboo Towels

Of course, compared to other fabrics, bamboo towels are on the more expensive end. So, when investing in a bamboo towel, you will obviously want to keep it in good condition for longer. Here are a few maintenance tips that can help you prolong the lifespan of your towels.

When you purchase your bamboo towels, wash them in hot water before you use them. Not only does the hot water remove any dirt from manufacturing and transportation, but it also tightens the weave which helps prevent sagging. After this, whenever your bamboo towels need washing, use the gentlest cycle on the washing machine. Additionally, use an organic detergent which is mild and avoid softeners and bleach which can decrease the absorbency and damage the fibres. And since bamboo towels are soft enough, you won’t probably notice a difference between using and not using a fabric softener.

After washing, let them line-dry until they’re 90% dry and put them in the dryer to finish off. This causes the fibres to fluff up, which increases the soft feeling and absorbency. But even if you don’t use a dryer, bamboo towels will still be very much soft.

Bamboo towels don’t need to be ironed as they don’t get wrinkly. Plus, the heat from ironing will only flatten their fibres, so it’s not recommended to iron them at all. When it comes to storing your towel, avoid placing them near heat sources such as a water heater, radiator or vent.