Bamboo Batting, Fiberfill, and Pillow Forms

Fairfield has introduced a new line of bamboo-based craft products called Nature-fil. These include pillow forms, fiberfill, and quilt batting. Labeled as eco-friendly, do these live up to their name?

The Qualities of Bamboo Fiber

Though bamboo fiber is naturally antibacterial, this should mean little to the average consumer. However, it could be beneficial if a household member has life threatening or chronic health problems.

Unbelievably soft, bamboo fiber compares with the finest silk or cashmere. For those with sensitive skin, this is a good choice. It is gentle and non-irritating, while polyester can feel abrasive.

Bamboo Batting

Nature-fil bamboo quilt batting is 50% bamboo/50% organic cotton. This only comes in two sizes, which is a real limitation if you need something in between. The art quilt/crib quilt is 60" x 60", while the generous queen is 100" x 116".

This needlepunched batting is very adaptable. The quilting distance can extend to eight inches—much greater than that for wool, cotton or polyester. Nature-fil batting has a thin scrim and excellent loft. It shrinks slightly—two to three per cent.

Since bamboo fiber responds poorly to heat, the batting should be washed in cold water, and tumble dried. This product isn’t suitable for those allergic to dust mites. All bedding needs to be laundered once a week in hot water to control these pests.

Like cotton, bamboo batting breathes well. Especially suited to machine quilting, Nature-fil feels much softer than 100% cotton.

Bamboo batting isn’t cheap by any means. The queen size sells for around $45 at Hancock’s, while the crib size costs $15. For comparison, a queen size cotton batting is $32.

Bamboo Fiberfill

Nature-fil fiberfill is 100% bamboo. This is available in twelve ounce bags. While polyfil can be irritating to the hands, this is certainly not the case with bamboo fiberfill. It’s as soft as angora. Easy to use, it doesn’t form hard clumps like polyester. This costs twice as much as polyfil.

Bamboo Pillow Forms

The bamboo pillow forms are available in two sizes, 18" and 24". Filled with 100% bamboo fiber, these have a 100% cotton cover. Spot cleaning is recommended.

How Green are Nature-fil Products?

Fairfield is donating part of the proceeds from the sale of these items to environmental causes. So far as being green, there are pros and cons for Nature-fil products. By and large, they’re certainly greener than polyester.

Bamboo can limit global warming. It removes much more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than trees. This also releases much more oxygen.

Bamboo is considered renewable. The crop can be harvested year after year without replanting. The fiber is biodegradable.

Questions remain as to whether Chinese growers are using sustainable farming practices. Presently, certified organic bamboo is not available. If left to grow naturally, bamboo requires no water, pesticides, or fertilizers. On the other hand, if deforestation occurs to make way for bamboo farms, this fiber is no longer green. Assuming this is grown sustainably, it is an alternative to conventionally grown cotton.

In conclusion, these are excellent craft products. However, it isn’t clear that they’re 100% green.

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