How much do you think about the materials that you come into contact with daily? You wear clothes every day, but have you thought about where they come from, how they are made, and which types of fabrics are actually best for you? If you have, you’re not alone: more and more people are taking a closer look at what fabrics are the most comfortable, practical, and sustainable.
Two fabrics often touted as being sustainable are bamboo fabric and linen. Linen has a long history as a natural, sustainable material, but it’s not as soft as cotton nor as stretchy as nylon. By contrast, bamboo fabric is a newer eco-friendly option, but the material is quite soft and breathable.
There are many different kinds of fabrics out there, and it can be hard to determine which ones are the best for you and your home. If you’re wondering whether bamboo fabric is better than linen, or vice versa, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we’ll explore each fabric and present a side-by-side comparison so that you can make the best purchase for your needs and values.
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Linen vs linens vs. bamboo linen
Before we can compare bamboo fabric and linen, it’s important to clarify a few terms. First, the term “linen” refers to fabric made from the flax plant. Like cotton, the fabric is 100% natural, but whereas cotton is made from the bolls that grow around seeds of the cotton plant, linen is made from the stringy stalks of the flax plant.
Linen has been around for thousands of years (as far back as 30,000 years or more!), and at one point was used to make nearly everything from clothing to homewares. Hence, we sometimes refer to textiles as “linens.” Today, linen is much more niche as a fabric, while linens can be made from many different types of materials, even a mix of materials.
Finally, you may find textiles referred to as “bamboo linen.” In some cases, bamboo linen refers to bamboo fabric produced mechanically rather than chemically. Other times, bamboo linens are actually a mix of bamboo fabric and linen, rather than 100% one or the other. In this article, we’re specifically comparing the individual materials: bamboo fabric and linen fabric.
Choosing a material that aligns with your values
Both bamboo fabric and linen are plant-derived materials, but their production processes are not the same. There are advantages and disadvantages to both materials in terms of sustainability and use, which we will get into below.
Depending on what you’re looking for, you may have certain expectations for your fabric which you should keep in mind when comparing the two fabrics. For example, having a tablecloth that is stiff may be of more value to you than a soft feel or a fabric that may wrinkle more easily. Which fabric is better for you will ultimately depend on what you value as a consumer and what you intend to do with the fabric once you purchase it.
Which fabric is more eco-friendly: bamboo or linen?
When it comes to choosing an eco-friendly or sustainable fabric, it’s important to take a close look at the manufacturer’s production process (if possible). The most important things to keep in mind are: how much water is being used, how much water gets recycled, what kind of chemicals are used, and how chemicals are disposed of.
While linen has been produced for many thousands of years, its popularity has lessened recently. It is time-consuming and labor-intensive to produce, especially on a large scale. Bamboo, on the other hand, has recently gained tremendous popularity partly because of the sustainable nature of the bamboo plant. Since the bamboo fabric is made of bamboo, people assume it is automatically eco-friendly. Sadly, this isn’t always the case.
The truth is that some types of bamboo fabric are more sustainable than others, and the same holds true for linen. To understand this, let’s take a closer look at the manufacturing process of these fabrics:
How is bamboo fabric made?
Bamboo fabric is quite interesting because there are a few ways that manufacturers transform those tall, strong poles into one of the softest materials on the market. These methods usually fall into one of two categories:
- With the mechanical method, the woody parts of the bamboo culms are shredded and natural enzymes are added to the mix to further break bamboo fibers down. These natural fibers are then separated and spun into yarn. The resulting bamboo fabric (sometimes referred to as bamboo linen) is very strong and durable. However, this manufacturing method is labor-intensive and takes a long time, resulting in higher prices.
- More commonly, cellulose is extracted using the chemical method. As with the mechanical method, bamboo wood is broken down into bamboo pulp before chemical solvents are added to extract the cellulose. The cellulose then goes through a number of steps to result in filaments that can finally be spun into usable yarn, called bamboo rayon (or bamboo viscose).
It is much easier to produce bamboo fabric on a larger scale with the chemical method, however, the harsh chemicals are significantly more harmful (and sometimes toxic) to the environment and workers. What’s worse is that since bamboo rayon is derived from bamboo, it’s prone to greenwashing and can confuse buyers.
That said, there’s an increasingly popular choice called bamboo lyocell. While bamboo lyocell still undergoes a chemical process, the process is almost entirely closed-loop in that the (non-toxic) chemical solvents are reused almost 100% of the time, resulting in less waste and more sustainable bamboo fabric.
How is linen made?
Linen fabric is derived from the fibers of the flax plant. Like bamboo, flax is a remarkably sustainable plant in that it requires little irrigation and fertilization to grow.
Flax seeds are typically sown in late spring and take about 100 days from seed to harvest. When harvested for their fibers, flax plants are pulled up by their roots, usually with the help of machines. The flax plants are then soaked or processed to separate the leaves, seeds, and outer wooden part of the stalk from the inner softwood. This step of the process is called retting.
Once the inner natural fibres are separated, they are combed into strands. The strands are usually separated by length, with the shorter strands being of a lower-, industrial-level grade (think linen sacks), and the longer strands being suitable for clothing and homeware, such as linen sheets or table runners. The linen fibers are finally spun into yarn, at which point they can also be dyed or treated.
The most controversial part of linen production is the retting process. Chemical retting is often the most common, which, as you can imagine, is the most harmful to the environment. Water retting is an alternative, however, this requires a tremendous amount of resources. Dew retting (using dew collection) is the most environmentally friendly alternative.
Flax cultivation and linen production are both labor-intensive, and this is often reflected in the price of linen products. Additionally, when purchasing linen, look for companies that treat their workers fairly, for example, ones that are Fair Trade-certified.
Overview: Bamboo fabric vs linen: which one is better?
Both fabrics have advantages and disadvantages, so to make it easier for you we’ve created a side-by-side comparison of bamboo fabric and linen using the top criteria (read below for further explanations!):
| Category | Bamboo Rating | Linen Rating | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainability | ★★★ | ★★★★ | Linen: while both fabrics can be made sustainably, rayon bamboo is much more dominant in the market while organic linen is more readily available. |
| Biodegradability | ★★★ | ★★★★ | Linen: Whether a fabric is biodegradable depends on the production process and chemically manufactured bamboo makes up the majority of the fabric on the market. Look for lyocell bamboo or bamboo linen for biodegradability. |
| Breathability | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Tied: Both fabrics are highly breathable materials and excellent for thermoregulation. |
| Antibacterial properties | ★★★ | ★★★ | Tied: Bamboo without rayon is significantly better for antibacterial or antimicrobial products than linen. Linen does have some minor antibacterial properties. |
| Softness | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | Bamboo: While you can find linen products that are very soft, bamboo is more consistently soft. Some people find linen to be too stiff, even though it will get softer with multiple washes. |
| Durability | ★★★ | ★★★ | Tied: While both fabrics are durable, they can show some wear and tear over time. Linen is also notorious for pilling which can be a concern. |
| Anti-allergenic properties | ★★★★ | ★★★ | Bamboo: While both products are considered hypoallergenic, people with sensory issues find bamboo better for sensitive skin as some linen products can be more coarse. |
| Heat Retention | ★★★★ | ★★★ | Bamboo: bamboo fabric does a slightly better job with heat retention than linen. Both have the capacity to retain heat and both are great for temperature regulation. |
Bamboo fabric vs linen: the main criteria
Now you know more about each fabric and how the different production processes affect the environment. But while eco-friendliness is important when choosing a fabric, there are other factors to consider as well:
Ecology (which is more sustainable to grow?)
Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing grasses on the planet and requires minimal natural resources to thrive. In the right conditions, bamboo plants are resistant to many pests and diseases and don’t need herbicides, pesticides, or even fertilizers to thrive. Unlike trees, bamboo can grow to tremendous heights within its first year. All of these factors make bamboo a highly renewable resource.
Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is another sustainable plant that is quite resistant to pests and diseases when grown properly. Flax plants are also easy to grow and don’t require excessive resources as long as they are grown in temperate environments with fertile, well-draining soil.
Ultimately, both plants are great choices and quite sustainable to grow (requiring less water than some other plants), as long as they are grown in the right environment without causing unnecessary ecological damage such as deforestation.
Biodegradability
Linen and bamboo fabrics are both biodegradable in their organic form with no chemicals added. With that said, you do need to be careful about purchasing materials free of chemical dyes or other treatments. This may be more of a challenge with bamboo fabric, since bamboo rayon doesn’t biodegrade. However, bamboo lyocell and bamboo linen are biodegradable, so if this is important to you, this is the better material to purchase.
While products made with 100% undyed flax linen are biodegradable, linen is often blended with other materials that aren’t. Make sure to read the label closely if biodegradability is important to you.
Breathability
Linen is a very popular fabric for hot weather as it is highly breathable and naturally comes in white, reflecting the sun’s intense rays. It is excellent for wicking moisture away from the body.
Similarly, bamboo fabric’s biggest selling point is that it is a highly breathable material ideal for lightweight athletic apparel, undergarments, or bed sheets for hot sleepers. For this reason, both types of fabrics are considered breathable and have moisture-wicking properties, but depending on what you’re looking for you’ll likely prefer one over the other.
Antibacterial properties
Both bamboo and linen are said to have antibacterial properties. Linen is naturally antibacterial because of its exceptional breathability, which wicks moisture away and prevents mold and bacteria. However, items made from linen still have to be washed regularly!
Similarly, bamboo fabric’s breathability makes it an excellent choice for preventing bacterial growth. In addition, bamboo is naturally antibacterial, aiding its prolific growth. These antibacterial properties have been shown to be present even in processed materials, including textiles. Notably, bamboo rayon loses these antibacterial properties, whereas bamboo lyocell and bamboo linen do not.
Softness
In terms of softness, it comes as no surprise that bamboo wins out over linen. While many companies advertise linen as a soft and comfortable material, many people find it less comfortable than cotton. It isn’t an itchy material, but it tends to be stiff for the first several uses, softening with several washes. Some people love their linen textiles, so the discrepancy may come down to the particular product and user.
Bamboo fabric, on the other hand, is more consistently soft. It’s one of the signature features of bamboo fabric, which is often described as luxuriously soft and with a silky feel. Many people recommend bamboo fabric for those who have sensory issues with textured fabric.
Durability
While both linen and bamboo fabrics are notably durable, they have their pros and cons. Linen is considered very similar to cotton but is stronger, stiffer, more sunlight-resistant, and quicker to dry. However, it has less flexibility compared to bamboo fabric and is prone to pilling.
Bamboo fabric is also considerably durable but will suffer more wear and tear over time simply because it is so soft. In both cases, the higher the quality of the fabric, the more durable it will be. In addition, taking proper care of your materials will help them last longer.
Hypoallergenic properties
Fortunately, bamboo and linen fabrics are both considered hypoallergenic, due in part to their breathability. In most cases, people aren’t allergic to bamboo or linen itself but rather to dust or mold. In the case of fabric, breathability prevents mold from growing, while a tight weave prevents dust mites. In rare cases, people may have an allergy to the plant itself. If you tend to suffer from allergies, you may want to test either fabric in a controlled environment first or consult your doctor.
As for sensitive skin, bamboo tends to be the better option since it is consistently the softer material, while linen may be more irritating.
Heat retention/insulation
Linen works best in warmer climates since it is a light, highly breathable fabric, which means that it isn’t necessarily a great choice for retaining heat. Bamboo fabric is also breathable, but it tends to do slightly better at retaining warmth than linen. Overall, both fabrics are helpful with thermoregulation and are great for absorbing excess moisture, discouraging sweating or night sweats and discomfort.
Linen or bamboo: Which is the winner?
On paper, it appears that bamboo is the better fabric compared to linen. With that said, you have to be careful as a consumer since so much of what makes bamboo fabric superior is only true if it’s made sustainably. In the end, which fabric is better may come down to personal preference since what you consider soft or comfortable with the fabrics that you use may be different from the consensus.
In general, it appears that finding both high-quality and organic bamboo products and finding high-quality organic linen is very difficult. This means that you may want to incorporate both types of fabrics in your home. For example, linen may be ideal for washcloths, tablecloths, or T-shirts, but you may prefer bamboo for bedding and undergarments.
