What are bamboo tissues?

Bamboo tissues are facial tissues made from bamboo fibre instead of virgin wood pulp. Bamboo is a grass, and one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet. It regrows from its own roots after harvesting, so no trees are felled to blow your nose. The fibre is naturally soft and strong, which makes it a brilliant choice for tissues: gentle enough for a sore nose, sturdy enough to actually do the job. Quality bamboo tissues (like ours) are FSC-certified and packaged plastic-free.

Are bamboo tissues softer on a sore nose?

Yes, bamboo tissues are super soft on sore noses, and by day three of a cold, that really matters. Bamboo fibres are naturally long and smooth, which makes for a soft, gentle tissue that's kinder to skin that's been rubbed raw. That softness is also why bamboo tissues suit sensitive skin and hay-fever-season noses. Cheeky Panda's are made with no added fragrance or dyes, so there's less to irritate an already-grumpy nose. And our balsam tissues are even softer: they’re infused with a touch of aloe vera to add a soothing layer of comfort. Overall, that’s a comfort, not a cure, but a much nicer way to get through germ season!

Are bamboo tissues eco-friendly and plastic-free?

They can be, but the packaging is where a lot of "eco" tissues quietly fall down. Most tissue boxes have a plastic film window over the opening (and plastic wrap around pocket tissues and multipacks), which usually can't be recycled kerbside. Cheeky Panda bamboo tissues come in a fully recyclable cardboard box with no plastic film or paper sleeves, so the whole thing, box and tissues, is plastic-free.

Getting through sniffle season: a few survival tips

Snot happens, but a bit of prep makes it bearable. Here's how to care for the snifflers (and keep the germs as contained as possible):

• Stash tissues everywhere. Book bag, coat pocket, car, kitchen. A travel pack in the school bag means no more sleeve-wiping (hopefully), and a soft tissue within reach is a small comfort when a cold hits.
• Teach the "catch it, bin it, wash it" habit. Sneeze into a tissue, bin the tissue, wash hands is the single best way to slow a classroom cold going round the whole family. It's caring for them and everyone else.
• Keep a box in every room so the sniffliest member of the household is never caught out. That small attention can truly change the day when you’re sneezing non-stop.
• Bin, don't hoard. A used tissue's job is done, so into the bin it goes (and if you're wondering, no, tissues shouldn't be flushed).

Colin's been through a lot of sneezes, and his advice is simple: you can't really stop the colds turning up, but you can make sure you're not left rummaging for a scratchy old napkin. Ready or snot, stock up on bamboo tissues before the first sniffle strikes.