For years, bamboo has been used as a staple material to build homes, produce all sorts of clothing, and make papers and cards. It’s definitely a versatile material. However, there are a lot of other things you can make with it which makes it almost easier to list down the things you can’t do with it.

To prove to you that this grassy material (yes, it is a type of grass rather than wood as many people believe) is the world’s most versatile natural product in the world, here are the 9 different uses of bamboo—ranging from common applications to surprising purposes.

9 Different Uses of Bamboo

1. Houses and Furniture

While you may already know this purpose, you probably aren’t aware of the fact that millions of homes around the world are made almost entirely of bamboo.

Since they are extremely durable and more hardwearing than any other kind of timber, it just makes sense to use this material for construction.

This grassy wood, when cut down like a pole (in its most simple form), can be used to build walls, floors, fences, and other forms of shelter around your property. It’s also versatile enough to make all your furniture as well as other utensils from cups and saucers, plates, bowls, and even cooking utensils.

Furthermore, bamboo is often used as scaffolding (instead of steel) for ongoing constructions of high-rise buildings in many cities, particularly in Asia. This is due to the fact that it’s a far cost-effective solution compared to other metals and timber and is easily available.

However, if you’re particular about the wear and tear of bamboo due to moisture and fungi, there is now a newly introduced contemporary version of this grassy wood called engineered bamboo. This is made by bonding strips of bamboo together to create timber-like slats that can be used in many different ways—lightweight fences, privacy screens, wall cladding, ceiling and shading solutions among others.

2. Roads and Bridges

Bamboo is so strong and durable that it’s also used to build roads and bridges in many parts of the world.

For one, the local Indian government made use of bamboo to construct road reinforcements in Orissa. On the other hand, the Chinese actually built a bamboo bridge in the Hunan province capable of supporting trucks that weigh as much as 16 tons.

Overall, bamboo is a viable alternative to steel and concrete when it comes to creating roads and bridges.

3. Paper and Card

Like wood, bamboo can be turned into pulp which can then be made into paper and card. However, many manufacturers are now switching to using bamboo as it can grow much faster than any other type of timber. It can also thrive in areas even when the soil is depleted, making it even more green and eco-friendly.

Ultimately, manufacturing paper using bamboo can take the pressure off wood forests that take a lot of time to regrow once harvested. It can also be used as toilet tissue, coffee filters, and sacks for heavy products, thanks to its strength and durability.

4. Clothing

Aside from paper, cards, and tissue, bamboo can also be used to produce all sorts of clothing and fabric from towels to sheets, mattresses, and even bulletproof vests.

It’s originally utilized to create protective clothing such as hats and shoes but later became a useful base product for everyday clothing. Today, bamboo fabric is gaining popularity in the fashion industry because of the numerous benefits it gives the wearer.

Soft – Despite being made of bamboo, one can still find the particular fibres soft, similar to silk.
Anti-bacterial – Bamboo naturally possesses a bio-agent that kills all bacteria in the garment. This ensures the wearer feels and smells fresh.
Insulating – Surprisingly, bamboo clothing can keep you cool in the summer and warm during winters at the same time. This is due to the fact that its fibre is cross-sectioned and covered with micro gaps, giving the fabric better ventilation and moisture absorption.
Hypoallergenic – Natural bamboo fibres do not cause any adverse allergic reactions to any wearer unlike wool and other scratchy fabrics.
Eco-friendly – Bamboo is the most environmental-friendly fabric in the world. It grows an average of four to six new shoots per year and can regrow back without the need to plant it. It’s also a renewable resource and 100% biodegradable.

5. Fashion Accessories

Thanks to its simple and classic textured look, bamboo is also used to make beautiful accessories that can complement eco-friendly clothing These pieces include earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and other kinds of jewellery. It can also produce watches, hair clips, headbands, sunglasses, and even shoes and bags!

6. Instruments

Since bamboo is a natural hollow material, it is used to make the base of excellent instruments such as guitars, flutes, drums, and even saxophones. Its light and durable quality together with its musical potential can create beautiful sounds and tunes.

7. Weapons

While not often as used today, there are still weapons made of bamboo today due to its natural strength and durability. This includes blowguns, spears, staffs, swords, and clubs. Its flexibility also makes it possible to make crossbows and arrows as well as slingshots. Bamboo is also surprisingly used for gunpowder guns in the past, owing to its hollow tubes.

8. Charcoal Soap and Deodorant

When bamboo is burnt, it can turn into useful charcoal which is then used to make soaps, deodorants, and other skin conditioners. The activated charcoal from bamboo can effectively absorb and trap minerals, odour, toxins, and other impurities from your skin leaving it fresh and clean.

Bamboo charcoal is also great for treating dry skin and alleviating numerous skin disorders such as acne, eczema, and atopic dermatitis. This is due to the fact that it kills bacteria which allows the body’s natural moisturiser to work effectively.

9. Food, Drinks, and Medicine

Bamboo has also been eaten throughout the years and even today! Bamboo sprouts and shoots are consumed in many countries as they come with several health benefits such as balanced cholesterol, weight loss, and high amounts of vitamins and fibres. However, before eating such, it’s important to boil them properly as they contain toxins that produce cyanide in the body.

Besides food, bamboo leaves are also surprisingly used to create beer and even, tea! Most importantly, bamboo ingredients have been used to treat cancer, kidney diseases, and other venereal diseases.

Bamboo can be used in many different ways from furnishing, decoration, and construction. All of these things prove that bamboo is one of the most versatile materials in the world.

Author Bio:

George Katsoudas is a Digital Marketing Professional. Whom works as the Managing Director of Low Cost SEO, a digital marketing firm in Sydney and a Digital Media Manager for House of Bamboo, offering Australia the most varied collection of classic and new natural materials.

Company Bio:

House of Bamboo is Australia’s trusted source of eco-friendly and high quality natural materials that can be integrated into contemporary setting. Our range encompasses high quality bamboo fencing, timber screens, privacy screens, decorative screens, ceiling panels, rattan cane webbing, fence panels, and pool certification.