The Best Bamboo Sheets

Bamboo Sheets have gained recognition in the bedding market in the past few years with a reputation as the softest, most eco-friendly sheets available. Looking to impress your overnight guests, help a hot sleeper control their temperature overnight, or slumber in the utmost luxury? Organic, natural materials like bamboo are better for your health and the planet, they help control allergies, soothe sensitive skin, control your body temperature during REM, and improve the overall quality of your sleep.

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What Are Bamboo Sheets?

Bamboo sheets are sheets made from bamboo fiber, widely considered one of the most durable materials for bedding. This is due to the length of the bamboo fiber, which retains strength when spun into yarn and woven into sheets. Egyptian cotton is often considered the gold standard of sheets, and this is due to the length of the Egyptian cotton fiber. Bamboo fiber is comparable in length, meaning the material is stronger and less prone to pilling than regular cotton, flannel, or linen.

Bamboo production creates less chemical waste and requires less water than cotton production, which is one of the biggest draws of bamboo sheets. Bamboo sheets are thus an eco-friendly product which reduces your carbon footprint, due to the sustainability of the materials, the durability of the sheets, and the minimal care that is required.

What Are The Benefits of Bamboo Sheets?

Soft

Bamboo is a chic, soft, and eco-friendly material for sheets. Bamboo sheets are far softer than cotton or linen.

Moisture-wicking

Bamboo sheet sets are non-absorbent and moisture-wicking, meaning they resist sweat and oil from your skin. This deters dust mites and other bacterias that thrive in cotton sheets, helping to reduce allergy flare-ups. Another advantage of this is that bamboo sheets are less likely to turn yellow or grey over time, because they’re not susceptible to moisture.

Light, Airy, Breathable

Bamboo material is woven to be light and airy, and does not trap heat like other types of sheets. The breathability of bamboo keeps you cool while you’re sleeping, a major consideration as Summer approaches. Bamboo sheets also resist your skin’s oils, stopping pillow-case build up and even helping to reduce breakouts. If breathability is really important to you, also check out our best cooling mattress guide for beds that will help you stay cool at night.

Hypoallergenic

Organic bamboo fabric is naturally hypoallergenic, as is repels moisture and promotes air circulation. The breathability of the weave discourages allergy-inducing dust mites and other bacteria from living in the fabric.

Durable

Though bamboo sheets are more expensive than cotton bedsheets, they’re also more durable, longer lasting, and ultimately end up being more bang for your buck. They are light and lightweight, taking up minimal space when you store them away or throw them in the washer.

What Should I Look For When Choosing Bamboo Sheets?

When choosing a set of bamboo sheets, pay attention to the materials and weave.

Materials

You have the option of 100% Bamboo Rayon (Viscose), 100% Bamboo Lyocell, Bamboo Blend with Cotton, or Bamboo Linen Fiber.

The vast majority of bamboo sheets available today are Bamboo Rayon, otherwise known as Bamboo Viscose. If selecting Bamboo Rayon sheets, you will want to check the tag to ensure your sheets don’t include bleach or zinc. While your sheets won’t be sprayed with these chemicals, they do create a difficult-to-dispose of waste product, essentially negating the environmental benefits of buying bamboo sheets. Bamboo Linen and Bamboo Lyocell are the most eco-friendly choices for bamboo sheets.

Weave

When it comes to weave, you have the choice between Bamboo Sateen or Bamboo Twill. Bamboo Sateen is the softest choice, similar in look and texture to silk (but vegan!) and without the slipperiness of silk and satin sheets.

Bamboo Twill is not as silky-soft, but it is sturdier and less prone to pilling than sateen. However, Bamboo Twill is stiffer and easier to wrinkle and may require ironing after washing. It may take longer to break in, but with time will be soft and long-lasting. Due to the loose weave of twill from bamboo, these sheets sometimes shrink after washing, so if you choose Bamboo Twill to ensure it is pre-shrunk.

What’s The Difference Between Bamboo Sheets and Linen Sheets?

Bamboo sheets are often compared with linen sheets due to the similarity in luxury, durability, and price. Linen is derived from flax, while bamboo is derived from – you guessed it – bamboo. While both of these fabrics offer more breathability than cotton sheets, bamboo repels moisture better and will feel cleaner with less washings. Linen is breathable but thick and heavy and absorbs moisture if you sweat. And while linen sheets take a while to break in and soften up, bamboo sheets should be soft, almost cashmere-like in texture, from the day you put them on your bed.

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How Do I Care For Bamboo Sheets?

Most bamboo sheets are machine washable. Never wash bamboo sheets in hot water. Always wash them in cold water and tumble dry on low to preserve your sheets and give them the longest life possible. To prevent wrinkles, ensure to dry these sheets thoroughly and put them on your bed as soon as they are dry – don’t leave them sitting in the dryer! As bamboo sheets repel moisture and odor, they will not need to be washed as often as linen or cotton sheets, but throw them in the washing machine every month or so to keep them beautiful. Never wash bamboo sheets with fabric softener or bleach. As bamboo is moisture-wicking, the sheets can become discolored if not washed regularly.