When it comes to the mainstay of many homes all around bamboo, you will find cotton sheets to be in their league, leaving linen and silk sheets a few miles behind. But there's a new fabric that is taking over the world with storm, making the woke people make more woke choices. Also, the same fabric is considered to be the best material in terms of eco-friendliness. But what is it really?
Well, all the applause was for bamboo sheets. Yes! Bamboo, the plant known to be the fastest-growing plant in the world, becomes one of the hardest materials once it is fully grown. Yes, that plant can also be used to make comfortable and cozy bed sheets.
With this blog, we are going to unravel the secrets of bamboo sheets and compare them with cotton sheets that we find everywhere. We will also define the benefits and drawbacks of both so you can make a much more informed decision when purchasing bed sheets for your home. So, let's begin!
What are Bamboo Sheets?
Bamboo sheets are made from bamboo fibers collected from bamboo plants. The fibers are placed inside the bamboo stem, and they are renowned for their softness, which is at par with silk fiber, making them a great choice for people who love the soft feel of silk sheets.
Types of Bamboo Sheets
When you go out to purchase bamboo sheets, you have many options, from bamboo linen to bamboo rayon and lyocell. All of them have slight differences in how they feel when you lay on them. But there is one thing common in all the different types of bamboo sheets, and that is pure luxurious comfort that puts even the most sensitive skin at ease.
Benefits of Bamboo Sheets
Now that we are finished with the introductions let’s move on to find out how Bamboo and silk pillowcases match. Let the battle begin!!
Breathability
Bamboo is known for its breathability and excellent temperature control, making it one of the best choices for people who sweat a lot in their sleep. Moreover, with its hypoallergenic properties, bamboo sheets have a natural resistance to dust mites and bacterial organisms, offering great comfort for people with sensitive skin.
Durability
Bamboo is made from long-staple fibers, so it is naturally quite durable. With proper care, it can easily last more than 5 to 10 years.
Comfort
Bamboo is naturally moisture-wicking, keeping your skin cool and dry throughout the night. It is also known to repel odors. Bamboo is antimicrobial in nature, containing bamboo kun, which doesn't allow any bacteria, mold, or other organisms that could lead to bad odor.
Eco-friendly & Sustainable
Bamboo is the right choice for you. Bamboo is looking for a more sustainable option for your bed sheets. One of the main reasons bamboo sheets are sustainable is because of how fast they grow; a single bamboo plant can reach its full maturity in just 3 to 5 years, giving it the title of fastest-growing plant in the world. Being the fastest, it results in massive production. Moreover, it does not require too much water and other forms of resources that you require with other plants.
Drawbacks of Bamboo Sheets
There are two major concerns when it comes to buying bamboo sheets, and these are:-
First, it is a bit expensive in comparison to cotton and linen sheets.
Secondly, with time, the tendency to get wrinkles can increase massively, causing your bed or other furniture to look dirty or unclean.
What Are Cotton Sheets?
Cotton sheets are known to be made from cotton fiber, but in nature, these fibers are present in multiple forms. The one cotton that gets the most praise is Egyptian cotton, as it has the longest fibers, but it is still rarely used for making bed sheets and pillow covers.
Types of Cotton Sheets
Apart from Egyptian cotton, there are two other types of cotton fiber that can be used for making bed sheets. The first one is Pima, which comes second in terms of fabric longevity. This form of cotton is durable, and in terms of quality, it is also considered to be close to Egyptian cotton.
Then comes Upland, Flannel, and Jersey. Upland is made from short cotton staples, and it is the most common type of cotton bedsheet. The Flannel has been shredded, and each individual yarn is shaved to release fibers and produce a thicker and fuzzier feel.
The last one is Jersey cotton, and as the name suggests, jerseys are made using it. This form of cotton is quite soft, but with time, the sheets made from this particular cotton fabric start to stretch too much and get dull from each wash.
Benefits of Cotton Sheets
Breathability
Cotton sheets are also quite breathable and have decent moisture-wicking properties, keeping you cool and dry all night. But keep in mind that they are quite prone to wrinkles and pilling with usage.
Durability
Cotton sheets are common because they are easy to maintain. If you take care of cotton sheets, they will last you for years to come. The only thing to know here is that you should clean your cotton sheets in warm water, not too cold and not too hot. Also, using a tumble dryer may cause your cotton sheets to lose their threads and affect the lifespan of your bedding.
Good For Kids
A kid's skin is always going to be more delicate than an adult's. That means you need to use 100% cotton sheets in their cradle. Cotton comes with natural softness and hypoallergenic abilities. As a result, when you are using it, you don't have to worry about your kid getting rashes and irritation.
Cotton Is Natural
Cotton comes from plants, and humans have been using it for more than 6,000 years now. Half of the textile world uses cotton to make its products because of its cost effectiveness. Likewise, due to its natural occurrence, cotton is resistant to general wear, tear, color fading, and piling.
Drawbacks of Cotton Sheets
Cotton sheets are more susceptible to wrinkling, so after a few months, making your bed appear clean will be a task.
Cheap cotton sheets can lose their color, shrink, and be more vulnerable to wear and tear.
Lastly, it will take you a while before you finally settle in and feel comfortable with cotton sheets, as the fibers start to loosen up after a few washes.
In conclusion, which One Should You Choose?
When the temperature rises in summer, we know how difficult it is to sleep comfortably, as our bodies start to overheat at night. As a result, to keep the temperature in control and ensure that you don't sweat the whole night, you need bamboo sheets for summer.
In addition to this, when it comes to softness, durability, and even health benefits, bamboo sheets top the list, where silk, linen, polyester, and cotton sheets are also present. The issue with cotton sheets is that there is a very rare chance that they are made with 100% pure cotton. A pure cotton sheet will make you feel luxurious for some time, but in the long run, the softness, along with other benefits of bamboo sheets, is going to be the right preference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bamboo sheets better than cotton sheets?
Both bamboo and cotton grow naturally, and both excel at regulating temperature. Cotton is known to be a breathable material, and bamboo fabric is a popular choice for its softness and hypoallergenic properties. If you have the budget, going with bamboo is the right option, as it comes with tons of benefits compared to cotton sheets.
Are bamboo sheets eco-friendly?
Bamboo sheets are made from natural bamboo fabric, which can be easily grown at a rapid speed with no additional cost for pesticides. As a result, not only does it tick the mark of being eco-friendly, but it is also considered to be the best and 100% biodegradable fabric in the world.
Do bamboo sheets wrinkle?
Bamboo sheets are made using bamboo fibers that are uncut in length, which is not the case with silk and cotton. As a result, when the fibers are combined, there are no loose ends or ties, making bamboo wrinkle-free and wrinkle-resistant.
Are cotton sheets better for sensitive skin?
100% cotton sheets are a blessing to sensitive skin. In addition, it would be great if you stuck to basic colors like ivory and white bed sheets, as they contain little chemicals and no coloring.
But finding a true 100% cotton sheet is like finding a needle in a haystack. Only a few companies in the world make them, so if you are able to find one, that would be great. Otherwise, the better alternative would be to go with bamboo sheets.