Everything you wanted to know about the eco-friendly bed linens
In case you haven’t heard, bamboo as a fabric is one of the biggest innovations in the last decade. The material is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and is great for the environment when compared to other sources of fabric.
The fast-growing tree is being used to create everything from pillows to sports clothing now that demand has started picking up and production methods have improved.
One great product to come out of bamboo fabric is where we spend almost a third of our days — in the bed under super-comfy sheets!
This article aims to answer every common question about bamboo sheets and why you should add them to your bedroom set.
Are bamboo sheets good?
When compared to other types of linen used in our sheets, bamboo comes ahead in a few areas.
Firstly, it’s considered one of the most environmentally friendly materials out there. So, if this is important to you, definitely take it into consideration. Please keep in mind that some manufacturers use a more harmful method of production that involves chemicals, so keep an eye out on the packaging for eco-friendly production certifications.
Bamboo bed sheets are also thought of as being on the soft side of materials — which if you’re like me, you almost need it to even close your eyes.
They’re also quite durable fabric and do not tear easily. Lastly, most people report bed linens made from bamboo as being quite breathable.
I live in sub-tropics, so I value this particular feature quite highly.
What are bamboo sheets?
Sheets that come with the ‘bamboo’ label are usually lyocell, rayon, or modal fabrics created from bamboo tree fibers. It may sound strange to think of the cylindrical tree as ending up in our bedrooms, but that’s part of the genius of it.
Companies are able to mechanically transform the incredibly fast-growing tree into fibers that many people compare to cotton.
Since this method doesn’t require any chemicals and comes from a variety of bamboo that can renew itself in just a few years — it is incredibly good for the environment in comparison.
Sheets labeled as “bamboo” typically consist of rayon, lyocell, or modal fabric derived from bamboo fibers. These sheets are often relatively similar to cotton in their softness, breathability, and durability.
Some people do report the cheaper varieties of bamboo sheets feel more coarse to the touch and wrinkle easily. So, be sure to read the reviews before buying!
How to wash bamboo sheets?
Washing bamboo sheets doesn’t require much more effort than other types of sheets, just be sure to keep some basic things in mind.
Washing:
- Try to wash bamboo linens in cold water, never going higher than 25C, and preferably using a gentle cycle on your washer
- Try to wash your sheets separately in case there are zippers or other knick-knacks they can get snagged on
- Because of the texture and static of bamboo sheets, if you throw in towels and other similar products in the wash — your sheets will end up full of lint
- You can use your regular detergent but bleach may not be the best product for cleaning these due to their delicate nature
- You don’t need to use fabric softener with most varieties of bamboo sheets because of their natural softness which is retained even after washing
Drying:
- Preferably hang your bamboo linens out to dry to preserve the natural texture as much as possible. Don’t worry about any wrinkles you see, they’ll most likely smooth out during the drying process.
- If needed, you can use a dryer, of course. Just make sure to choose a low heat and gentle cycle for the settings.
Are bamboo sheets cool?
Bedding sheets made from organic bamboo are almost always cooler than their counterparts like cotton. Bamboo fiber is an incredibly breathable material that allows heat from your body to escape.
If you live in a warmer climate or want sheets to help you cool off better during the summer, bamboo sheets are definitely a good choice.
Are bamboo sheets better than cotton?
Cotton linens are one of the most common types of bedding material available in products today. So, if you’re considering switching over to sheets made from bamboo fiber, this is a good place to start.
Bamboo sheets are usually known for the following great properties:
- Softness — The majority of linens made from bamboo can be considered to be incredibly soft. A somewhat unique characteristic is they also become softer after each wash due to the material composition. Contrast this with other materials that only become scratchier and more coarse after prolonged usage. In this case, bamboo is definitely the way to go.
- Cooler— Since bamboo fiber is considered to be a very breathable material, it translates into a more relaxed sleep by transferring more body heat outside of your comfy linen cocoon. During sleep, bamboo linens stay roughly 2–3 degrees cooler than their cotton competition. If you’re a sweaty sleeper — go with cotton.
- Durable — Sheets made from mechanically processed bamboo are known for their long-lasting nature. Some manufacturers peg the rate to be at least 1,000 washes before you need to replace them. That’s a lot of sleep.
- Hypoallergenic — Due to the anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-mold nature of bamboo itself, these amazing properties transfer over into the fiber. If allergies are a concern for you when you sleep, these sheets should help alleviate some aspects of the problem.
On the negative side, there are a few things to consider.
- Chemical vs mechanical — Some manufacturers use a chemical process to extract fiber from bamboo rather than a mechanical version. These aren’t nearly as good for the environment. Keep a close eye out for certifications on whatever bamboo products you buy — if the company goes to the extra expense of being organic — they’ll put it there.
- More expensive — If you do opt for the eco-friendly mechanically processed bamboo fiber, it might explain the price difference. Some products made out of the tree can vary quite widely in price. A general rule of thumb — if it’s on the cheap end, it’s likely used chemicals to make it.
- TLC — Washing and drying bamboo sheets takes slightly more effort than their cotton counterparts. They should be washed in cold water with a gentle cycle. Air drying these sheets also goes a long way to maintaining their quality. With cotton, on the other hand, you can basically toss the blanket in a river and it will come out clean.
Do bamboo sheets pill?
Most sheets that aren’t crazily high quality (read: $$$) will start to pill eventually. Bamboo sheets aren’t any different.
Pilling occurs when the ends of fibers become loose and twisted up. They’re kind of like baby knots that slowly occur over time if proper care isn’t taken.
That being said, it’s not too hard to reduce pilling to a minimal amount.
- Avoid using chemicals like bleach and harsh detergents
- Only wash in low or cold temperatures
- Air-dry whenever possible
- Avoid hair stubble being snagged (if possible)
- Purchase higher-end bamboo sheets with better quality weaving
Are bamboo sheets comfortable?
Absolutely! Most varieties of bamboo linens are often applauded for their softness and breathability, especially when compared to cotton. Keep in mind if you buy cheaper chemically processed bamboo sheets, this may not be the case.
Be sure to read reviews of any sheets before you buy them to get a good idea of the comfort level.
How to soften bamboo sheets?
This might surprise you, but the easiest way to soften your bamboo sheets is just to wash them roughly every two weeks.
Since organic bamboo sheets are made from fibers that are naturally long and soft, the material only gets softer over time as the strands are stretched and washed.
To be really sure, never used harsh detergent, hot water, or bleach when washing the sheets.
Do bamboo sheets have a thread count?
Of course! Most bamboo sheets on the market will have a thread count between 200 and 350.
Compared to cotton sheets, this number is slightly lower. BUT, since bamboo fiber is an inherently softer material, the number of thread counts doesn’t need to be nearly as high to get the same result.
For example, if you have a 250 thread count bamboo linen, it will likely feel as gentle and soft as a cotton sheet with over 400!
How to get body oil out of bamboo sheets?
We all sweat. Some of us even excrete. If you’re in the latter group and sometimes have to deal with pesky body oil stains, don’t fret.
Simply try washing your sheets first to see if that gets rid of it. If not, you can easily douse the linens in cold water then treat the oil spots with a pre-soak stain remover. Some people advise using dish soap, as its a natural degreaser.
Don’t use bleach or harsh detergent for this, it will only hurt the fabric.
If the stain is really tough, you could try using an enzyme-based stain remover for more effective results. Good luck!
Are bamboo sheets good for the environment?
The simple answer to this question is, yes and no.
It completely depends on the manufacturing process for bamboo linens. The cheaper and much more harmful method uses chemicals to turn the tree into usable fibers — avoid these.
The type of bamboo that’s absolutely fantastic and eco-friendly uses a machine-based extraction method. It produces a softer, cooler product that has very little impact on the environment. The main issue here, of course, is cost.
So be sure to read the labels before buying any bamboo sheets if you’re concerned about the environment. Manufacturers that go the extra mile to make sure their products are eco-friendly will often be certified and show those labels on their products.
As for bamboo itself, the plant is amazingly versatile. Some breeds can actually grow up to four feet in a single day! The typical variety of bamboo used to create fiber takes about 2 years to regrow.
Compare this to 10 or 20 years for other types of trees and you can see why bamboo is better. The more output a tree can produce, the less land needs to be harvested for production — which is always better for the environment.
Bamboo also produces 30–40% more oxygen than other types of trees while absorbing up to 5 times more carbon dioxide!
How much are bamboo sheets?
When comparing prices for bamboo sheets, it’s important to remember the two main kinds of manufacturing. Chemical vs mechanical.
If the bamboo linens are on the cheap side of things, it’s very likely they used harmful chemicals to create the product. On the flip side, mechanically extracted organic bamboo fiber can become quite pricey, especially with premium brands.
For standard thread-count products, you’ll tend to see 2 tiers of pricing. The cheaper, potentially non-environmentally friendly bamboo sheets can range in price from $25 to $50.
For the organic versions, you’ll see standard linens come in between $60 to $90.
If you want premium products, try to keep an eye out for very high thread counts, the word ‘organic’, environmental certifications, and don’t forget to read the reviews before buying.
What are the best bamboo sheets?
By far, one of the most popular bamboo sheets sold on Amazon is made by LuxClub — with an incredible 75,000 reviews and 4.5 star rating! These normally cost around $56 but are frequently on sale in the mid-$30 range.
Amazon itself recommends a bed set by Bedsure. These sheets have been reviewed over 12,000 times and are rated 4.6 stars out of 5.
Want to learn about more everyday items made from bamboo? Check out our bamboo pillows FAQ, bamboo mattresses FAQ, and bamboo toothbrush FAQ.