Are all Bamboo Sheets Cooling, Eco-Friendly, and Buttery Soft? You may be surprised!

Bamboo sheets have been increasing in popularity in recent years—and for good reason. They are sustainable, softer than cotton and linen, naturally hypoallergenic, and moisture absorbing. They also keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. Need we say more?

With more and more bamboo sheets with ‘green’ or ‘eco-friendly’ claims and labels it can be overwhelming to know what to look out for when buying bamboo sheets for the first time. We created this simple guide to help you decode the labels and choose the best bamboo sheets for you.

Spoiler: not all bamboo sheets are created equally. Read on if you’d like to learn more about the different bamboo fabrics on the market.

Let's break it down!

Regenerated cellulose fibers are created by taking natural raw cellulose (plant fiber)—like bamboo or eucalyptus—and then converting it through a chemical process to turn it into fabric.

Bast bamboo fibers are processed mechanically using the same processes used to produce linen from hemp or flax, with similar sustainability benefits and considerations.

What makes these fabrics different from each other is the process involved in production. With vastly different environmental impacts and chemicals used, it’s important to pay attention to which type of fabric you are purchasing. Follow along as we discuss the generations of bamboo in the order they were developed

1.100% Bamboo Viscose: Viscose and rayon are essentially synonymous terms; ‘rayon’ is most widely used in North America, while ‘viscose’ is the preferred term in Europe. 100% Bamboo Bedding products made from bamboo rayon are naturally hypoallergenic and thermoregulating, soft, moisture-wicking, and resist odor and bacteria. Bamboo rayon is very absorbent and extremely cooling as bedding as well. The results are "buttery soft sheets."

2.100% Bamboo Modal: Bamboo modal is made with the same chemical process as viscose; however, modal fabrics are put through an extra process to stretch them. Modal is ideal for athletic clothing or uses where the fabric is going to be treated a little more harshly. That said, the modal fabric is usually a little too thin and airy to make for good bedding products.

3.Bamboo Linen Fiber: Bamboo linen (also known as bast bamboo fiber), is produced mechanically, without chemicals. The process is very similar to the production of common linen fabrics made from hemp or flax. The result is a very sustainable fabric that is slightly coarse and wrinkles easily, making it not very suitable for soft and intimate bedding products. A lot of maintenance is involved when buying bamboo linen bedding, as it requires continuous ironing after washing.

4.Bamboo Cotton Blend: Bamboo can be blended—the most common blends are 60% bamboo rayon, 40% cotton or 70% bamboo rayon, 30% cotton. Blending makes the fabric slightly stronger than 100% pure bamboo. But while stronger, the softness of the material is compromised. And if a cotton component is added, a bamboo blend becomes a less sustainable choice for your bedding.

OEKO-TEX is an international network of research and test institutes that have come together to create a globally recognized standard to ensure textiles are safe for consumers to use. Their standards consider every single component of the product, from button to thread, and their certification process involves checking each part for known harmful substances, many of which are prohibited or regulated by laws. Harmful chemicals can be used in all sorts of ways; for example, in traditional textiles formaldehyde is often used to get added benefits such as anti-static or anti-wrinkle. By certifying our products with OEKO-TEX we are ensuring our products are both chemical free and safe to use regularly in close contact with skin.