What You Need to Know About Your Bamboo Sheets

In recent years, bamboo sheets and bamboo pillow cases have increased in popularity – for many reasons. They are smoother and more luxurious than cotton or linen, absorb moisture, are inherently hypoallergenic and made from sustainable fabric. Their ability to keep you cool when it’s warm and warm in the colder months makes them a first-class choice for anyone who has difficulty sleeping and they’re also ideal for those with an allergy or sensitive skin.

If you haven’t experienced the benefits of sleeping in bamboo, here are some of the things you need to know about bamboo sheets before you make your purchase.

Bamboo Fabric

Bamboo is a natural fibre that is either mechanically or chemically processed to create the fibres that are used to make bamboo fabric.

There are four varieties of bamboo fabric:

  1. 100% bamboo viscose, also known as bamboo rayon in the US – most sheets are made of this fabric.
  2. 100% bamboo modal – made with the same chemical process as viscose but with an extra stretching process to make it lighter, finer and stronger.
  3. 100% bamboo lyocell – one of the most sustainable textiles. It is produced by dissolving the raw bamboo pulp with a non-toxic solvent to create fibres that result in a fabric that’s softer than bamboo viscose. For this reason, it’s usually used for bamboo clothing.
  4. Raw bamboo linen fibre – this fabric is produced mechanically without the use of chemicals in the same way as linen or hemp. While it uses an extremely sustainable process, the resultant fabric is slightly coarse and prone to wrinkles and so is not often used for bedding.
Textured white crumpled sheets

The Benefits of Using Bamboo for Bedding

Bedding made from bamboo viscose is both naturally thermoregulating (meaning that it will help your body to maintain its optimum temperature) and hypoallergenic – which means that it’s great for sensitive skin. It’s also incredibly soft and has the ability to wick moisture away from your body. Plus, as it’s extremely absorbent, it will keep you dry and more comfortable in bed for longer. It also has the ability to take dye easily which means that it can be produced in many different colourways. Add in that it resists odour and bacteria and you can see why bamboo viscose bedding is such a popular option! Bamboo sheets can also be made from a blend of bamboo and cotton which means that although the fabric is not quite as soft as bamboo, it is slightly stronger. The methods needed to produce cotton mean that bamboo cotton sheet sets are not as sustainable as the 100% bamboo ones.

Choosing and Looking After Your Bamboo Sheets

Always check out the label to confirm the fabric composition. The sheets available from A World of Bamboo are clearly labelled to show whether they are made from premium quality 100% bamboo or a bamboo/cotton mix. Always wash your sheets in cold water using eco-friendly or ‘delicate’ laundry detergents and line dry wherever possible. If you need to use a tumble drier be sure to keep it on the lowest setting. This is the most eco-friendly way to keep your bedding clean.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *