We spend about one-third of our lives asleep in bed and the type of bedding we use can have a significant impact on our sleep and energy levels during the day. So picking the right bedding material will help with your quality of sleep.
If you’ve thought about trying bamboo sheets, you might be wondering what some of the benefits of switching to this plant-based fabric might be. Bamboo bedding is a popular choice because of many different reasons. The most impressive benefits of bamboo sheets are that they are incomparably soft, hypoallergenic, and naturally thermoregulating. All of these benefits result in a good night’s sleep. Moreover, bamboo bed sheets contribute to healthier skin and hair, are stain-resistant, and are very durable when properly taken care of.
We’ll take a closer look at the top benefits of bamboo sheets and why bamboo sheets are better than other types of bed sheets on the market. We’ll also look at some potential disadvantages of bamboo sheets so that you can make an informed decision about whether bamboo sheets are really right for you and your sleep experience.
7 bamboo sheets benefits
Not sure whether you want to buy bamboo sheets for your next set of bed sheets? Or do you already have bamboo sheets and want to know what makes them so good? Either way, you’ll be happy to learn that there are numerous reasons why bamboo sheets are better than many others on the market.
1. Bamboo sheets have a luxurious feel
One of the best selling points for bamboo sheets is that they are incredibly soft, which can contribute to better sleep. Compared to other fabrics such as cotton, bamboo sheets are considerably softer and often described as “luxuriously soft.”
Even though bamboo sheets, on average, have a lower thread count, it turns out that thread count is less important when it comes to bamboo fabric, especially bamboo rayon and bamboo lyocell. For example, if you compare a 300-thread count sheet made from cotton to a bamboo sheet of the same thread count, the cotton is profoundly more coarse than the bamboo. Why? Bamboo has long fibers that are soft and velvety.
Something to be mindful of when it comes to bamboo sheets is whether the bamboo is blended with other fibers. Some manufacturers will combine bamboo with cotton, soy, or other materials to reduce costs, which can impact the overall quality of your sheets. Check to make sure that your fabric is 100% bamboo fabric before purchasing to ensure that you are getting that signature softness.
2. Bamboo sheets are great for hot sleepers
Bamboo sheets have a cool feel and are naturally thermoregulation, meaning they help with body temperature regulation. When we go to sleep, our body begins to cool down in the evening to prepare us for a night’s rest and will continue cooling down as we enter NREM sleep (non-rapid eye movement). But once we start REM sleep (rapid eye movement), our bodies begin to warm up again. You may even start to sweat if you tend to sleep warm. This is the body’s way of cooling itself down by creating a cool environment as the sweat leaves our body. This can get uncomfortable and can cause frequent sleep disruptions in the middle of the night if your sheets trap heat or don’t wick the moisture away.
Fortunately, bamboo sheets are highly breathable and have moisture-wicking properties for a naturally cooling effect. Even if you sweat at night, bamboo sheets will wick that moisture away from the skin, making you less likely to wake up feeling uncomfortable.
3. Bamboo sheets are durable
High-quality bamboo sheets are very durable. They are not generally prone to pilling unless you use a harsh laundry detergent when washing or the sheets are dried with other fabrics. When properly cared for, you can get 5 to 15 years of restful sleep from your bamboo sheets.
With that said, they aren’t indestructible and can be subject to typical wear and tear. By taking proper care, you can help your bamboo sheets stay soft and last for years to come.
4. Bamboo sheets can be naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial
Bamboo plants are naturally resistant to pests, bacteria, and fungi. This is quite a rarity in the plant kingdom, and it is all because of bamboo kun, an antimicrobial bioagent found in bamboo. For this reason, many people believe that bamboo textiles, including bamboo sheets, are also resistant to fungi, mold, and bacteria. While this can be true, it only applies to sheets made from bamboo lyocell or bamboo linen, not bamboo viscose or rayon.
In the bamboo rayon manufacturing process, chemicals are used to turn the natural fiber into threads. Through this chemical treatment, the fabric loses bamboo’s natural antibacterial properties. Currently, bamboo rayon dominates the bamboo fabric market. This doesn’t mean that you can’t find antimicrobial bamboo sheets, they may just be a bit more challenging to find. If having antibacterial and antimicrobial sheets is crucial to you as a consumer, you’ll have to search for bamboo sheets made from bamboo lyocell or bamboo linen.
If you do get naturally antimicrobial bamboo sheets, the benefits are tremendous. Preventing the buildup of bacteria, mold, and fungi greatly benefits your overall health and well-being.
5. Bamboo sheets are ideal if you are prone to allergies or sensitivities
Bamboo fabric is undeniably an excellent choice if you have sensitive skin, allergies, or sensory sensitivity. Bamboo fabric’s ability to wick away moisture helps to reduce allergies by preventing the buildup of dust mites, and the fabric itself is soft enough for people with texture sensitivities or sensory challenges.
Bamboo fabric, like many other plant-based fabrics, is also naturally hypoallergenic. This means that if you do struggle with allergies, particularly irritants from animal-derived fabrics, dyes, and harsh chemicals, bamboo sheets are best.
6. Bamboo sheets are naturally stain-resistant
While bamboo sheets have moisture-wicking properties, they are not highly absorbent. So it isn’t as prone to staining as other plant-based materials such as soy linen. Bamboo sheets are highly breathable and allow for excellent ventilation, allowing moisture to evaporate from the fabric. As a result, the moisture does not stagnate, leading to less staining or discoloration.
Does this mean that spaghetti sauce won’t leave a stain if you spill it on your sheets? Of course not. But it will prevent general staining from sweating and moisture from typical use. This will increase the lifespan of your bamboo sheets and leave them looking and feeling as good as new for much longer.
Does this mean that spaghetti sauce won’t leave a stain if you spill it on your sheets? Of course not. But it will prevent general staining from sweating and moisture from typical use. This will increase the lifespan of your bamboo sheets and leave them looking and feeling as good as new for much longer.
7. Bamboo sheets are beneficial for skin and hair
When we sleep, our skin and hair make more contact with our bedding than we may realize. This is especially true with pillowcases, which come into direct contact with our face and hair for the entirety of our sleep. Fortunately, the gentleness of bamboo fabric makes it more comfortable and causes less skin irritation for those suffering from eczema or psoriasis. Not only that, but the breathable nature of bamboo sheets can also contribute to healthier skin since it prevents moisture from remaining against the skin.
When you sleep against a fabric such as cotton, the shorter fibers can increase the friction between your hair and the sheet (or pillowcase). Bamboo fibers are longer, resulting in bed sheets that are silky and soft, resulting in less friction on your hair while sleeping. This can decrease frizz or tangles and will help contribute to happier and healthier hair overall.
What are the cons of bamboo sheets?
Not all fabrics are ideal for all consumers, and there are a few potential drawbacks to using bamboo sheets. Most of these depend on the manufacturer of the sheets, how you care for the sheets once you purchase them, and whether or not the price point is worth the investment for you.
1. Bamboo sheets are not always as eco-friendly as advertised
Bamboo plants themselves are very sustainable to grow. They require less water than many other plants, they don’t require the use of pesticides, fungicides, or chemical fertilizers, and bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on earth. Most bamboo plants do most of their growing in their first year, and they will regrow when mowed down and harvested year after year. Bamboo can quickly replenish itself while yielding tremendous harvest as many bamboo species grow very tall.
The issue with the sustainability of bamboo fabrics comes from manufacturing. Unfortunately, many manufacturers will subject bamboo fabrics to greenwashing marketing tactics since bamboo products have a reputation for being eco-friendly. This can mislead consumers who value products with minimal environmental impact.
Turning a large, timber-like plant into a soft fabric is not an easy task. While there are more mechanical methods for extracting fibers from bamboo plants, they are labor-intensive. Therefore, chemical methods have become much more popular.
Bamboo rayon fabrics are less environmentally friendly due to the toxic chemicals used during manufacturing. Alternatively, bamboo lyocell is made with a chemical process that is closed-loop and uses non-toxic chemicals, making it a more eco-friendly option.
2. Bamboo sheets are not wrinkle-free
Another potential disadvantage to bamboo bed sheets is that you may experience some wrinkling if you aren’t careful about how you care for them. Wrinkles happen when fabrics are exposed to water and heat, so your bamboo sheets are most vulnerable when washed and dried. Heat can break the bonds that hold the fibers of your fabric in place. This eliminates the rigidity of the fibers, which can then bend into different shapes. Once the fabric cools, those bonds will also cool and stiffen, locking the material into its new position.
In other words, wrinkles can form by drying your bamboo sheets with too much heat or forgetting to fold them and leaving them in the dryer or a hamper to cool. The best time to fold or lay your sheets flat on your bed is immediately after drying them when the fabric is still warm.
3. High-quality bamboo sheets come at a higher price-point
It takes considerable effort to turn a plant like bamboo into a high-quality fabric, and that may result in a higher price tag. While bamboo rayon (also known as bamboo viscose) is usually comparable to cotton in cost, bamboo lyocell or bamboo linen is typically more expensive. That said, these types of bamboo sheets may still be more affordable than high-quality Egyptian cotton sheets.
But as with anything, you’ll find a range of prices. When shopping for bamboo sheets, consider the value you are getting for your investment. High-quality bamboo sheets can last up to 15 years, especially when cared for properly. They can also maintain their softness and breathability throughout that time, or in the case of bamboo linen, they may get softer over time. Whether this is worth it to you ultimately depends on your values as a consumer.
