Well folks, what we have all known from our own experience has been proved by C. Gomathi (an India based textile scientist) in his paper entitled: Study of Amimicrobial Behavior of Socks from Bamboo Fibers. Here are the excepts from the article (click above it you want the whole thing):
Intro:
Microbial infestation poses danger to both living and nonliving matters. Obnoxious smell from the inner garments such as socks, spread of diseases, staining and degradation of textiles are some of the detrimental effects of bad microbes. Bamboo fiber clothes have actually been showing up in department stores and womens boutiques. Bamboo is now being made into a fiber that has wonderful characteristics. Bamboo fibers are the newest thing to hit the textile arena. An exclusive manufacturing process makes it possible to create heavily breathable, absorbent samples entirely from bamboo fiber.
Bamboo fiber has particular and natural functions of anti-bacteria, bacteriostasis and deodorization. It is validated by Japan Textile Inspection Association that, even after fifty times of washing, bamboo fiber samples still possesses excellent function of anti-bacteria, bacteriostasis. Its test result shows over 70% death rate after bacteria being incubated on bamboo fiber samples. Bamboo fibers natural anti-bacteria function differs greatly from that of chemical anti-microbial. The latter often tend to cause skin allergy when added to apparel.
Conclusion:
Based on the above in-depth analysis, it was observed that bamboo has GOOD antimicrobial properties followed by 50/50% bam/cot, cotton and rayon. The various tests carried out namely, rate of growth, survivability of bacteria and fungi, time course analysis of the inhibitory effect against microbes, normal AATCC procedures like AATCC 30, AATCC 100, AATCC 147 and Soil burial test confirm that the antimicrobial effect of bamboo samples is comparatively of an higher order than 50/50% bam/cot, cotton and rayon. Results also show that there is no appreciable level of antimicrobial activity for cotton samples and it supports the growth of micro-organisms on it. In the highlight of above in-depth study and its findings, it is evident that bamboo samples have got indigenous antimicrobial effect. This indigenous anti microbial property of bamboo makes it more suitable for clothings such as inner wears & foot wears such as socks as compared to cotton.