If you’re looking for soft bed sheets that are also breathable, lightweight, and cooling, bamboo sheets are some of the best the market offers, there’s no doubt about it. However, not all types of bamboo sheets are the same. Bamboo sheets can vary based on how the fibers are manufactured, and even how those fibers are woven into a fabric can change the appearance and feel of the bamboo sheets.
The main types of fabrics that are used to make bamboo sheets include bamboo rayon and bamboo linen. Bamboo rayon can be further divided into two types of materials: bamboo viscose and bamboo lyocell. Not only that, but how the bamboo fibers are woven into sheets – including sateen, twill, or percale – is yet another way to classify different types of bamboo sheets.
Understanding the different types of bamboo sheets will help you make an informed decision on what’s best for you. Here we’ll look at the different types of bamboo bed sheets, including the common weaves so that you can get your best, most restful sleep yet.
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The main types of bamboo sheets
When shopping for bamboo bed sheets, you’ll often see labels such as “100% bamboo,” “made from bamboo,” “derived from bamboo,” and more. These labels may seem confusing, but in truth they all more or less mean the same thing: that the sheets contain bamboo-derived fibers.
What actually sets different bamboo sheets apart from one another is the type of bamboo fabric they are made of. There are two main types of bamboo fabric: bamboo rayon and bamboo linen.
Rayon bamboo sheets
Most bamboo bed sheets available on the market are a type of bamboo rayon. Rayon is a semi-synthetic fabric that is often referred to as artificial silk due to its remarkable softness and silky feel, and it has nothing to do with a high thread count. Not all rayon fabric is made from bamboo; other common sources include beech, eucalyptus, cotton, and soy.
While plant-based textiles are commonly thought of as “natural,” bamboo rayon is a semi-synthetic material because it is made using a chemical process. In short, the natural fibers of bamboo culms are mashed into a cellulose pulp, which is then soaked in a chemical solution to regenerate fibers that can be extracted and spun into threads.
To make things more complicated, there are different types of rayon processes, including viscose, lyocell, modal, and cupro. Currently, the main types of bamboo rayon are bamboo viscose and bamboo lyocell.
Viscose bamboo sheets
The terms rayon and viscose are often used interchangeably, due to the fact that viscose is the most common type of rayon fabric. According to the Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines, bamboo viscose products may be labeled as “bamboo-derived viscose” but not labeled as bamboo, so that’s something to keep an eye out for.
Like other types of rayon, bamboo viscose is made using a chemical process. First, the soft inner portions of bamboo culms are mashed into a pulp, which is then soaked in a chemical solution to extract fibers that are extruded and spun into threads. The word “viscose” comes from “viscous,” which refers to the liquid cellulose spun into the fibers.
Although viscose bamboo bed sheets are often marketed as eco-friendly, the chemicals used to create bamboo viscose are often toxic to the environment and factory workers. The chemical cocktail typically includes solvents such as sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide, among others. While they are not a substantial part of the end result, these harmful substances can enter the environment through the water supply, endangering aquatic life.
That said, bamboo viscose is not all bad. Bamboo is still a renewable resource and can be grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Plus, the resulting viscose bamboo sheets are incredibly soft and cooling to the touch, and typically have a luxurious feel to them.
Lyocell bamboo sheets
Lyocell bamboo sheets are more difficult to come by than bamboo viscose sheets, but they are the ideal choice if you hope to find a more eco-friendly alternative. Similar to bamboo viscose, bamboo lyocell is a semi-synthetic material. However, bamboo lyocell is produced in a closed-loop system, where the chemicals are not only reused, but are typically non-toxic as well.
Another bonus of bamboo sheets made from lyocell is that they retain bamboo’s natural antibacterial properties. Despite the differences in production between bamboo lyocell and bamboo viscose, lyocell bamboo sheets are still as luxuriously soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic as other types of bamboo rayon sheets.
Bamboo linen sheets
Bamboo sheets may also be made from bamboo linen. Unlike bamboo rayon, bamboo linen is produced using a mechanical method rather than a chemical one. For this reason, bamboo linen bed sheets are the only ones that may be marketed as “bamboo” according to the FTC’s guidelines.
Because the chemical process is more efficient and cost-effective than the mechanical method, bamboo linen sheets are more difficult to find. However, the mechanical method used to produce bamboo linen sheets is more eco-friendly, so it might be the better choice if you hope to reduce your environmental impact.
In the mechanical method, bamboo culms are mashed into a pulp before being broken down with natural enzymes. Finally, the fibers are combed out and spun into a yarn. While this manufacturing method isn’t without any environmental impacts, especially if the fibers are retted with water, it’s substantially more eco-friendly than chemical methods.
The reason that bamboo linen is less common is because the process is labor-intensive. As a result, it is very expensive to make, which can be reflected in the price tag. And while bamboo linen is still a high-quality fabric, it is not typically as soft as semi-synthetic bamboo fabrics right out of the box; instead, bamboo linen sheets get softer with time.
Bamboo linen is named as such because the mechanical method was modeled after the linen manufacturing process. Since “linen” is a term that can be used to describe a type of fabric as well as a general term for household textiles, it can add a layer of confusion. Plus, many bamboo sheets advertised as “linen” are actually blends of bamboo viscose and traditional linen. So if you’re looking for 100% bamboo linen bed sheets, you’ll have to look closely at product descriptions and maybe even check directly with the manufacturer.
Fiber weaving in the different types of bamboo sheets
In addition to the different types of fibers used to make bamboo sheets, how they are woven can add another layer of variety to bamboo bed sheets. There are three different types of weaves commonly used to make bamboo sheets: sateen, percale, and twill.
Sateen weave
Sateen is one of the more popular types of weaves for bamboo sheets. It’s a silky weave that adds to the luscious, buttery soft appeal of bamboo sheets. Sateen weaves follow one yarn under three yarns over structure, producing one of the softest bed sheets on the market. While that may be reflected in their price tag, sateen sheets are typically still less expensive than true silk or Egyptian cotton sheets, which have a similar feel.
Sateen bamboo bed sheets are slightly on the thicker side, making them more naturally resistant to wrinkles. However, as with other bamboo fabrics, it’s important to care for them properly to prevent pilling and maintain that natural sheen.
Percale weave
Percale bamboo sheets follow a one thread over, one thread under pattern. As a result, they have a more matte appearance, which can be appealing if the sheen of sateen fabric isn’t your ideal aesthetic. Moreover, the percale weave produces a much more lightweight sheet that is highly breathable, making it ideal for hot sleepers.
Since the percale weave results in a lighter material, percale bamboo sheets may be more prone to wrinkling. However, with proper care you can keep wrinkles to a minimum.
Twill weave
If you’re looking for the most durable type of sheet, twill weave might be an excellent choice for you. Twill is tightly woven with shorter threads that can handle more wear and tear. If you compare twill bamboo sheets side by side with sateen woven bamboo sheets, sateen is undeniably softer. However, that isn’t to say that twill bamboo sheets are scratchy or coarse by any means. They are still soft and might be a better choice if you prefer a matte-like appearance or if you tend to toss and turn in your sleep.
While durable, you should still wash your twill bamboo sheets carefully with cold water. We also recommend air-drying twill bamboo sheets, as heat may cause shrinkage. As always, check with the manufacturer before cleaning your twill bamboo sheets, and check out our article on properly drying bamboo sheets to learn how to maintain their softness for longer.
Are bamboo sheets naturally cooling?
Fortunately, bamboo sheets have a natural cooling effect as the fabric is highly breathable and has moisture-wicking properties. As a result, bamboo sheets are often advertised as “cooling sheets” and are ideal for thermoregulation, contributing to a better and more restful sleep.
During REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, our body temperature naturally rises, which can result in night sweats especially if you tend to run warm. Bamboo sheets help prevent this by wicking excess moisture away from the skin and allowing the body heat and moisture to pass through the fibers. While all bamboo sheets are naturally cooling, percale woven bamboo sheets offer the most temperature regulation and therefore ideal for those who sweat in their sleep.
Are there organic bamboo sheets?
The term “organic” is often used to greenwash many types of products, and bamboo sheets are no exception. Since bamboo sheets come from plants, it is easy for companies to claim that the sheets are made from organic material or suggest that the product is organic through slogans, taglines, or names.
If you are interested in buying truly organic bed sheets, you’ll want to ensure they are certified through a third party. For example, in the United States, there are regulations in place to qualify a product as certified organic. According to the USDA, certified organic textiles may only be eligible for the USDA organic seal if they are produced in accordance with the National Organic Program (NOP). Bamboo textiles certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) may still be labeled as “organic,” but without the USDA organic seal.
Which type of bamboo sheet is the best?
There isn’t one type of bamboo sheet that stands out as the definitive best. However, with so many different types of bamboo sheets, you’ll likely be able to find one that is best for your sleep, and that’s not something we can decide for you. But here are a couple of factors to keep in mind:
Viscose bamboo sheets with a sateen weave are ideal for the silkiest, softest sleep. A percale weave is the better choice if you prefer a more breathable, cooling effect. If minimizing your environmental footprint will allow you to sleep more peacefully, lyocell bamboo sheets or bamboo linen sheets are better options.
Fortunately, when it comes to bamboo sheets, all of the classic benefits can be found in all types of sheets. Some qualities are more pronounced than others, but all types of bamboo sheets are silky, soft, breathable, cooling, and hypoallergenic. In the end, it’s a personal preference to make a good choice for yourself.
