Corporate responsibility is paramount when the health of the consumer is an issue. Some consumers are allergic to textiles or trace chemicals in textiles. Corporate claims about e.g. the hypo-allergenicity of bamboo bedding cannot be made lightly. The due diligence done by Luxury Bamboo Bedding to ensure the safety of its bamboo bedding and bath products was extensive.

We were aware that the smooth, lustrous, non-abrasive nature of our bamboo sheets and pillow cases was a good thing for people with sensitive skin. If skin sensitivity is an issue and one’s face is in contact with a bamboo pillow case for a period of six to eight hours or more, the silky soft smoothness of bamboo fabic will make a difference and reduce the chance of skin irritation.

What was more problematic was ensuring that our claims about the absence of trace chemicals was valid. The New Zealand Dermatological Society (http://dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/formaldehyde-allergy.html ) in their article about formaldehyde sensitivity, described formaldehyde as a potent primary irritant as well as a sensitizer for people prone to allergies. Formaldehyde is widely used in the textile industry for e.g. wrinkle resistance and mildew resistance of finished fabric (other uses are outlined at the above URL) and has been implicated as a causative agent in allergies to apparel and bedding.

Our solution was an Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification. By testing the finished product, we were able to verify that we were not being “bamboozled” by our source of supply (who we have trusted since 2002) and that our bamboo sheets and pillow cases were safe. The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification has earned the respect of the textile community. It is perceived as a legitimate benchmark and ensured, to our satisfaction, that our bamboo bedding was chemical free and safe for our customers. Our bamboo bedding has been tested by Oeko-Tex to ensure that pH is normal and the following trace chemicals are absent:

• Formaldehyde
• Pesticides
• Extract-able heavy metals
• Chlorinated organic carriers and preservatives such as pentachlorophenol and tetrachlorophenol
• Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs), nonylphenol (NP), and related chemicals
• Allergy-inducing dyestuffs
• Carcinogenic amines found in azo dyestuffs.

As long as our customers are not allergic to cellulose which is the source of fiber in bamboo bedding, they can use our products in confidence knowing that every precaution has been taken to ensure their comfort and safety. That being said, it is still good practice wash all new bedding and apparel before first use.

Have a healthy and luxurious night’s sleep on bamboo sheets from Luxury Bamboo Bedding. You deserve it.

Until later,

Van Shron

President

Luxury Bamboo Bedding