One Dou Bamboo Cooling Mat

One Dou Bamboo Cooling Mat

　　Bamboo cooling mats mainly come in the following types:

　　　　Water bamboo mats, mahjong cooling mats, bamboo strip mats, and bamboo thread mats

　　　　Water bamboo mats are handmade products of the people in Yiyang, Hunan. They are primarily made by splitting water bamboo into strips that are 1 millimeter thick and 3 millimeters wide, then handwoven. The surface is soft, skin-friendly, and offers excellent sweat absorption and heat dissipation. Thirty years ago, they were exported to third-world countries along with Chinese leaders. The main brand was “Panda.” This brand belonged to the old Yiyang Bamboo Ware Factory, which has since been dissolved, and the brand is no longer in operation.

　　　　In the 1980s, because water bamboo cooling mats were not suitable for mechanized production, bamboo processing enterprises in Yiyang invented a type of “healthcare bamboo cooling mat,” also known as a “mahjong cooling mat.” These mats are made by stringing bamboo slices together with elastic cords. Since they provide a good massage effect on the back, they are called healthcare bamboo cooling mats. The bamboo slices resemble mahjong tiles, hence the name “mahjong cooling mat.”

　　　　Nowadays, there are also other types of bamboo cooling mats such as bamboo strip mats, bamboo thread mats, and seat cushions—all categorized as bamboo-based cooling mats. The mahjong cooling mat is made from high-quality moso bamboo and is one type of bamboo cooling mat. Bamboo cooling mats are processed using automatic particle processing machines and are made through physical methods such as steaming.

　　　　Production Process:

　　　　1. Sawing the bamboo—The raw bamboo is sawed into strips, which are then split into bamboo pieces of specified widths.

　　　　2. Sawing the bamboo strips—The bamboo strips are cut into bamboo particles of specified sizes.

　　　　3. Drilling holes in the bamboo pieces

　　　　Drilling holes in the bamboo pieces is a key process that affects the production efficiency of bamboo cooling mats. The drilling machines have gone through four generations of development. The current drilling machines are now highly advanced in technology. The fourth-generation patented drilling machine used domestically is highly efficient, accurate, and easy to operate, providing a strong guarantee for the product quality of bamboo cooling mats.

　　　　4. Sanding and polishing the bamboo pieces

　　　　The quality of the bamboo pieces in bamboo cooling mats largely depends on sanding and polishing. Therefore, in the cooling mat manufacturing industry, sanding and polishing can also be considered a core technology. Different factories may have varying processes, but generally, the process involves continuous flipping and washing with a water grinding machine to complete the sanding.

　　　　5. Boiling and drying—Boiling the bamboo particles and then drying them is the main reason for their color change from green to yellowish.

　　　　6. Waxing—After drying, a thin layer of wax is applied to the surface of the bamboo cooling mat to make it smooth and shiny.

　　　　7. Weaving

　　　　What remains is the weaving process, which is still mostly done manually in China. The sorting of bamboo particle colors and the determination of weaving specifications are completed in this step.

　　　　8. Inspection and packing of finished products

　　　　Maintenance Tips:

　　　　Bamboo cooling mats typically become more durable, smoother, and more comfortable the longer they are used. So proper usage and maintenance can ensure many years of use. For a new mat, first wipe the front side carefully with a warm water-soaked towel mixed with some detergent, then roll it up and rinse it with warm water. You can use the hot water nozzle in the bathroom to spray it until the water runs clear. Then air dry before use.

　　　　When autumn comes and the weather turns cooler, you should store the cooling mat used throughout the summer. Follow these steps:

　　　　1. Wipe off sweat stains on the bamboo cooling mat several times with a warm, damp towel.

　　　　2. Then wipe both sides of the mat several times with a 3–5% light saltwater solution. This helps kill bacteria and insects and keeps the mat moist to prevent cracking.

　　　　3. It’s best to air-dry the mat in dry, hot weather—avoid direct sunlight to prevent the bamboo strands from becoming brittle and breaking easily.

　　　　4. Before packing, lightly wipe the mat with a cotton cloth dipped in talcum powder or medicated oil. After rolling it up, wrap the inner layer with newspaper (which absorbs moisture), and seal the outer layer tightly with plastic wrap or similar material.

　　　　5. When storing, avoid heavy pressure, keep it well ventilated, and protect it from humidity.

　　　　When purchasing: check whether the connecting threads are broken. The spacing between bamboo pieces should not be too wide. (This is better for durability.)

　　　　Cooling mats have evolved beyond traditional materials and patterns, offering greater health benefits, comfort, suitability for use in air-conditioned rooms, easier cleaning, and more convenient storage. (1) Material Introduction

　　　　◇ Pure Cotton Cooling Mat The pure cotton cooling mat is a 100% natural and eco-friendly product. Made from 100% cotton and refined through special dyeing techniques using modern technology, it is natural, environmentally friendly, and wear-resistant. Utilizing the inherently non-irritating properties of raw cotton, this mat helps protect the skin and joints, prevents dust mites and bacteria, and alleviates back and waist pain, offering excellent health benefits suitable for all age groups to ensure comfortable sleep. During sleep, the human body releases about a cup of sweat. The emergence of the pure cotton cooling mat fills a gap where other cooling mats fall short—it effectively absorbs perspiration, offers better muscle contact, and ensures breathability and a cool, dry feel. Thanks to special processing, this mat features natural purity, breathability, dust resistance, moisture absorption, humidity release, and a cool, pleasant touch. Compared to straw or bamboo mats, it is healthier, more comfortable, and of higher quality. Compared to linen mats, it causes no prickling sensation and offers breathability and a cool feel. Especially in air-conditioned environments, the temperature of the pure cotton cooling mat remains stable, aligning with consumer preferences for green, eco-friendly, and health-conscious products.

　　　　◇ Bamboo Fiber Cooling Mat Bamboo fiber is a new type of fiber made from China’s unique porcelain bamboo and moso bamboo through steaming, hydrolysis, and extraction. The raw material for bamboo fiber fabric comes from bamboo, which generates negative ions and releases oxygen. It is naturally green and antibacterial. Bed sheets and cooling mats made from bamboo fiber are durable, wear-resistant, soft, and smooth, and contain tyrosine, vitamin E, SE, GE, and other trace elements that offer anti-cancer and anti-aging benefits. They provide natural antibacterial effects. Experiments show that bamboo fiber cooling mats achieve a 71% antibacterial rate over 24 hours, significantly higher than other types of fibers. With excellent water absorption and strong antibacterial properties, bamboo fiber is truly an “eco-friendly fiber.” In terms of functionality, bamboo grows without the need for chemical fertilizers, and the entire bamboo fiber manufacturing process avoids chemical additives, offering superior antibacterial performance. In terms of practicality, leather, bamboo, and grass each have their strengths. The cross-section of bamboo fiber is filled with oval pores that facilitate moisture transfer and air circulation. The resulting bedding feels cool but not icy, smooth but not sticky, elegant but not vulgar, and is hailed as a “breathing” eco-product. It is easy to fold, convenient to store, and can be washed in a household washing machine. It is most suitable for use in air-conditioned rooms, though it is not as cool as linen.

　　　　◇ Linen Cooling Mat Linen is a fragrant herbaceous plant with natural antibacterial properties that inhibit bacterial growth and are toxic to insects. The linen cooling mat is made from natural linen fibers and processed with high technology to prevent shrinkage and refine the material. It offers a cool and breathable experience, is free of static electricity and chemicals, quickly absorbs moisture and dissipates heat, does not stick to the skin, and is soft, comfortable, and cooling to the blood—helping to lower body temperature by three to four degrees. Hence, it is praised as “artificial skin, a natural air conditioner.” Its excellent characteristics and health benefits are unmatched by other types of cooling mats. Linen cooling mats are divided into two types: wet and dry. Mats woven from the middle section of a linen stalk are wet linen cooling mats, while those woven from the ends are dry linen cooling mats. Wet linen mats are better, whereas dry ones tend to pill after washing. A simple way to distinguish wet from dry linen mats is to feel them with your arm—the one that feels more prickly is the dry linen mat. Pure linen cooling mats range in price from over 300 yuan to over 1,000 yuan. If a so-called pure linen mat is priced at just over 100 yuan, it is definitely not genuine. What should you do if you’ve already bought a rough, “prickly” linen mat that’s uncomfortable?

　　　　Here are several ways to handle it:

　　　　(1) Lay the linen cooling mat flat on the bed. Any areas that feel “prickly” are likely due to stray weeds mixed into the fibers. Gently pull these out along the warp and weft direction of the fabric.

　　　　(2) Take some fabric softener, dilute it, and soak the linen cooling mat in the solution—just enough to cover the fabric. Remove it after two hours and let it air dry in the shade.

　　　　(3) Iron the still-damp linen cooling mat with an electric iron to flatten it.

　　　　◇ Rattan Mats Are Durable

　　　　Rattan mats are among the best types of cooling mats. Handmade rattan mats can last at least 20 years. Though they are more expensive than bamboo or straw mats and not as cooling as bamboo, rattan is warm in nature, absorbs sweat, is breathable, and resists insect damage—all of which benefit the body. Additionally, it is soft, wear-resistant, elastic, and feels very cool and comfortable, making it suitable for all kinds of people.

　　　　◇ Straw Mats

　　　　Straw mats are made by crushing natural herbal plants using high-tech methods, turning them into fibers, undergoing anti-mold treatment, and then finely weaving them with modern techniques. They are cool, breathable, moisture-absorbent, mold-resistant, insect-proof, and foldable. Straw mats also help eliminate odors and dust mites and are easy to clean. Their downside is poor cooling capability. Straw mats are inexpensive and good value. Though not as durable as bamboo or rattan mats, they are cost-effective. Materials used include rush grass, orchid grass, Asian grass, and dragon beard grass, with lampwick grass, cattail grass, and horsehair orchid grass being especially favored by the elderly. Straw mats are prone to insect infestation, but modern versions are often treated with high heat and sometimes even infused with “carbon,” which is said to enhance anti-corrosion properties. Most straw mats on the market are now “machine-woven.” Those made from raw grass retain a natural grassy fragrance, are processed into grass pulp through high-temperature steaming, impurities are removed, and the material is pressed into fine strips before weaving. They come in various patterns, with finer and softer craftsmanship that is also foldable for storage.

　　　　◇ Mahjong Cooling Mats Mahjong cooling mats are bulky and hard to store, and broken bamboo tiles are difficult to replace—these are their main drawbacks. However, they are relatively inexpensive. When buying mahjong mats, choose those with light patterns and inconsistent coloring. Uniform coloring indicates low-quality mats coated with varnish.

　　　　(2) Tips for Selection

　　　　(1) For natural straw, bamboo, and rattan mats: Ensure the mat size strictly matches the bed—narrower is better than wider, as overly wide mats may hang over the edge and are prone to damage. Check: Look for uniform color, ideally light green or bright yellow. Then lay the mat flat and check if the weave is tight and even. Loose or uneven weaving leads to exposed threads, loose edges, breakage, and a shorter lifespan. Watch for black spots, mold, insect holes, burrs, or withered yellow grass, all signs of poor quality. Feel: Test the surface for smoothness and check that edges and corners are neat and clean. Smell: Freshly made mats from the current year have a natural, fresh scent. Whether bamboo, straw, or rattan, they should smell fresh without any strange odors.

　　　　(2) For Linen Mats Currently, some manufacturers cut costs or compensate for production shortcomings by replacing linen fibers with large amounts of viscose fiber (rayon), mixing in ramie, or even using leftover short fibers spun into linen mats via dry spinning. Though such products may look smooth and brightly colored, their quality is greatly reduced. Some contain over 70% synthetic fibers. To avoid being fooled, here are some identification methods: (a) High-quality linen mats have clear, dense patterns, strong durability, and a natural, soft fabric sheen, whereas synthetics are overly shiny. (b) Hold the linen product up to light—you should see cloud-like patterns and some small linen particles. (c) Pure linen feels smooth and has a slight heaviness; when gripped firmly, it wrinkles slightly. (d) Take a linen yarn, burn it—if it smells like burning paper and leaves fine grayish-white ash, it’s linen. Synthetics smell acrid when burned and leave bead-like residue.

　　　　(3) For Cowhide Mats Cowhide mats are luxury items. Perhaps due to their high price, many hesitate to buy them. Among mat products, cowhide mats have the longest lifespan, with those made from whole water buffalo hide being the best. The leather is breathable, thus mold-resistant, non-fading, non-sticky, and anti-bacterial and anti-insect. It has a faint, pleasant leather scent. The cooling level is moderate and improves with use. A cowhide mat with an elegant and luxurious feel is definitely the top choice for a high-end, classy home.

　　　　(3) Maintenance Tips

　　　　◇ Straw Mat Maintenance Dust mites easily nest in the seams of straw mats, causing “cooling mat dermatitis.” Therefore, proper maintenance of straw mats is crucial. New straw mats should preferably be sunned (for no more than half an hour), beaten repeatedly, wiped with warm water to remove dust, and then dried in the shade. For straw mats reused the following year, wipe them down with disinfectant or wash off mold with soapy water, rinse with warm water, and dry in the shade. Whenever possible, wipe straw mats used daily with warm water before use to remove sweat or dust.

　　　　Important Tip: It is recommended that infants, the elderly, and those with weak constitutions sleep on regular straw mats. Other cooling mats may cause them to catch a chill, leading to gastrointestinal issues.

　　　　◇ Bamboo Mat Maintenance Bamboo mats should not be exposed to direct sunlight to avoid becoming brittle. When placing a bamboo mat, ensure the bed board is flat to prevent cracking. It’s best to wipe the mat with warm water before and after sleeping each day, which helps it turn red earlier and become cooler.

　　　　Important Tip: For overnight air conditioning, set the temperature to 26°C. When using a cooling mat, always cover your abdomen, shoulders, and other areas with a thin blanket to avoid getting cold, preventing diarrhea, colds, or even spinal and shoulder problems.

　　　　◇ Rattan Mat Maintenance Before use, wipe the mat clean with a warm, damp towel on both sides, then let it dry before use. During use, wipe it frequently to keep the surface clean and smooth. In high humidity, ensure the room is well ventilated to prevent mold.

　　　　Important Tip: Cooling mats made of rope, reed, or straw are more likely to cause allergies, while those made of bamboo or rattan are less allergenic.

　　　　◇ Linen Mat Maintenance Linen mats are convenient to use and clean. They can be hand- or machine-washed. Before hand-washing, soak the mat in 30–40°C warm water for 10 minutes. Avoid wringing it forcefully during hand-washing. After washing and flattening, let it air dry naturally. When it’s about 80% dry, apply high heat to iron the back for a smoother finish. For machine washing, use the wrinkle-resistant setting and never use a spin cycle. However, to preserve your linen mat, it’s best to avoid machine washing altogether. Do not use bleaching detergents or soaps, as they may cause fading.

　　 ◇ Cowhide Mat Maintenance During use, regularly wipe the mat with a slightly damp towel to remove sweat stains. If you find any marks, gently wipe them with a damp cloth. Never rinse with water or expose to direct sunlight or open flames. Over time, cowhide develops natural pores and grain patterns that require no special maintenance.