Choosing the right fabrics for products you use every day can significantly impact your comfort, health, and the environment. In this blog, we compare bamboo vs. cotton fabrics across key features like softness, durability, and environmental impact. Discover why bamboo might be the better choice for you, especially if you're looking for hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, eco-conscious and pet-friendly options. Explore the range of products from BedVoyage and make the switch today!
Key Features of Bamboo and Cotton
Cotton textiles have cornered the market for thousands of years and have long been the staple fabric for items such as clothing, table linens and bedding. But as consumer demand for eco-friendly alternatives rises, the textile industry has been expanded to include more sustainable materials, such as bamboo, to offer options to cotton.
Bamboo Fabrics:
Bamboo stalks have been used as building materials for thousands of years due to their incredible strength. The shoots are a staple in Asian meals, and there are records dating back thousands of years for the use of bamboo in books, arrows and furnishings. Bamboo textiles have been around for over 100 years, but more recently used in the making of bamboo clothing, athletic gear, golf shirts and socks due to its impressive odor resistant and moisture-wicking abilities. Bamboo bedding entered the market in the early 2000’s and has quickly become very popular as an alternative to cotton.
Have you ever felt the silky smoothness of bamboo? It’s almost indescribable. The drape of the fabric against your skin is so incredibly luxurious and soothing. The fabric is both cooling and comforting, as well as being hypoallergenic and eco-friendly. With bamboo bedding, you slip into bed each night knowing you’re slipping into a very special fabric, it feels nothing like the cotton you’ve probably known all your life.
The secret to this silky-smooth fabric is the structure of the bamboo fibers, the threads are spun longer than cotton, and very fine and tubular, like a hair on your head. This round fiber means that the fabrics just glide across your skin effortlessly. Bamboo vs. cotton bedding can be more expensive, as the actual yarns the mills use for weaving are more costly than cotton. But bamboo fibers are also strong and durable, meaning your glorious sheets will last a long time! Isn’t that what you want when you spend good money on quality bed sheets?
Cotton Fabrics:
Cotton has been used literally for Millenia as one of the most ancient textiles known to man. Virtually every person on the planet has worn or slept on cotton fabrics, as it’s one of the most widely used textiles for clothing and bed linens.
Cotton can vary greatly from either being on the rough and scratchy side to being exquisitely fine, depending on how it’s treated, spun and woven. Additionally, the cost of the products you’re buying will vary too, based on the quality of the textile and weaves. Pricing on cotton bedding can range widely from $24 at a discount retailer to over $1,500 for fine Italian weaves.
Cotton fibers do have excellent absorption benefits, which means they can absorb moisture from the skin, allowing you to stay drier. Cotton does not have the same quick-drying time as bamboo, and in a humid climate it can stay wet for hours while you’re wearing them. Has this ever happened to you; you’re wearing a cotton t-shirt or sundress in Hawaii after a rainstorm, and it literally never dried the rest of the day while you’re wearing it?
If taken care of properly, cotton textiles can literally be handed down generationally as they can last for dozens of years. Case in point; you’ll often find fine cotton tablecloths and napkins at antique stores.
How are Bamboo vs. Cotton Fabrics Created?
Bamboo:
BedVoyage only uses farmed Moso bamboo in the making of our bed and bath textiles. We call our linens ‘Panda-Friendly’ because our yarn suppliers are very careful not to destroy any natural habitats, nor take away the food source from Pandas. Side note; thankfully pandas do not like Moso bamboo, it is not one of their tasty treats!
Bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly, prevalent and sustainable resources on the planet. It grows abundantly without pesticides, fertilizers or irrigation. It also cleans the air 3x faster than a similar footprint of trees. The Moso bamboo plant most widely used in textiles can grow up to 3 feet per day. And when harvested; it’s simply cut near the base and allowed to regrow, making it a very sustainable plant. It does not take much water to grow, unlike cotton farming.
The process of creating bamboo fibers starts with harvesting the stalks from the forests. Bamboo plants are designated as ‘grass’ but the stalk is so rigid and firm that it’s often thought of as a type of tree. In the early 20th century, the process of making bamboo fibers was perfected. The soft inner pith from the woody part of the stalk is what is used to make the bamboo fibers or yarns. It starts with extracting the cellulose from the stalk, crushing it then soaking in enzyme solutions that help break it down into an alkali cellulose.
It’s left to dry for 24 hours, then carbon disulfide is added to cause the compound to sulfurize into a gel-type mixture. This then becomes a slurry or mash that is then forced through a nozzle called a spinneret. This transforms the cellulose into strands that once dried are run through a fiber mill and then fluffed before they are dyed and spun into yarns or threads.
The end product is considered Viscose from Bamboo, or Rayon from Bamboo, used interchangeably. Viscose and Rayon mean the ‘process’ of converting a bamboo stalk into fibers. You can check out our Why Bamboo Sheets page to read more on the benefits of bamboo and frequently asked questions.
Cotton:
The textile we all call cotton comes from the fibers of the plant species known as Gossypium Hirsutum. Bolls develop on the plant’s branches after the plant has been pollinated. Fun fact; although bees do about 65% of the pollinating, butterflies and flies do the rest! The bolls are harvested, then the seeds removed through ginning, and then the bolls are further cleaned to remove any debris, seeds or dirt. Spinning into yarns is what happens next, and those yarns are woven into the textiles we use daily.
Some downsides of cotton farming; it requires large swaths of land, a lot of irrigation water, and a tremendous amount of toxic chemicals to keep pests away. It is said that 1 man’s T-shirt can take up to 2 pounds of highly toxic pesticides and fertilizers to produce. Some brands prefer using organic cotton, as it does use less chemicals, but it’s slower-growing and still requires the same amount of water.
Environmental Impact:
If shopping for products that exhibit care for the environmental impact is important to you, then you may want to opt for Bamboo textiles. Bamboo is grown without all of the chemicals and high-water usage, cleans the air, does not contribute to soil erosion, and is a renewable resource. You can read this article to learn more about the sustainable comparisons of bamboo vs. cotton.
Oeko Tex Certification
Oeko-Tex is a third-party certification organization that verifies that the textiles a factory is producing have been checked to be free of harmful chemicals. They check that the products are not harmful to humans or the larger ecosystems. The Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is the most common certification, and BedVoyage’s factory carries that as well as the Made In Green, which additionally certifies the factory as well as the products they produce.
Comfort and Feel of Bamboo vs. Cotton
Softness and Texture:
The feel of bamboo against your skin is quite different than cotton. It glides across your skin, is ultra-comforting and hypoallergenic, which simply put means it’s a non-irritant to skin. People who suffer from eczema or psoriasis feel comforted by bamboo fabrics, especially due to the silky texture and cooling abilities.
Breathability:
Do you suffer from night sweats or hot flashes, tossing and turning and not getting a good night’s rest? Then bamboo may be the solution for you. The unique structure of the fibers have micro-gaps and holes in them that allow air to escape easily. Due to its breathable and moisture wicking properties; you’ll sleep cooler all night. We call it a Smart-Fabric because of its natural temperature regulating abilities. This means it can sense if you’re overheating and it will release the heat, likewise, it will keep your warmth around you if you’re cold. In the winter, your sheets are not cold like cotton, a huge plus. Finally, 2 people who sleep very differently can sleep comfortably together in bamboo bed sheets!
Moisture Wicking Properties:
Bamboo fibers wick and evaporate moisture 3x faster than cotton. This means that if you’re perspiring while sleeping; you will stay drier than with most other bedding fabrics. No more constantly changing the bed due to sticky sheets, AND bacteria does not grow on bamboo so even if you are perspiring; your sheets will not get a funky smell. That’s a big deal, right!?
Durability and Care Requirements for Bamboo vs. Cotton
Lifespan:
Both bamboo and cotton will last a long time, with proper care. You can expect 9-12 years out of quality sheets when you follow the care instructions.
Care Instructions:
For both materials, gentle washing, avoiding high temperatures, and refraining from harsh chemicals can significantly extend the product’s lifespan. For the best care of Bamboo Bed Sheets its recommended to wash in warm water with a gentle liquid detergent, and dry on medium heat. If you remove them quickly when the dryer cycle is complete; they will come out silky-smooth and ready to be placed back on your bed. BedVoyage does not coat our linens with formaldehyde like the cotton industry does, so you may get a soft wrinkle where your body lies between washings. But rest assured, with each fresh washing they come back smooth and ready for use!
Long-Term Value:
You know the saying ’you get what you pay for’ and this does truly relate to bedding. As we spend 1/3rd our life in bed, and its where we get rejuvenated for our next day; it makes sense to buy the best quality sheets you possibly can. And as bamboo offer additional sleep benefits over cotton, such as cooling, breathable, moisture wicking and odor resistant; they may be the perfect choice to sleep on. A Queen size set of Bamboo Sheets from BedVoyage will be $209.00 and as they’ll last you approximately 10 years, that equated to .06 cents per night. That’s a small price to pay to slip into luxury every night!
You can check out this article to learn more on the difference of bamboo vs. cotton.
Cotton vs Bamboo for Pets & Sensitive Skin:
Pet Friendliness:
Does your dog or cat sleep with you on the bed? 45% of pet owners state that their pets do, so having a naturally odor and bacteria-resistant fabric could be important. Additionally, the smooth fibers and tight twill weave of BedVoyage bamboo sheets means that pet’s nails won’t easily snag or tear the fabrics. Bamboo also helps reduce allergens and some dermatologists and allergy doctors recommend sleeping on bamboo for this reason.
Smart Fabric:
As stated before, we call bamboo a Smart Fabric because it seems so intuitive in knowing what you need. Its cools you down when hot, warms you up when cold, doesn’t allow bacteria to grow so your linens stay fresh longer (less trips to the washing machine) and its so gentle to the skin, face and hair that you get a more restful sleep.
Make the Switch to Bamboo with BedVoyage!
Bamboo Bedding:
Check out our line of Luxe 100% Bamboo Bed Sheets, Duvets, Coverlets and Shams. We also carry a Mélange blend of 50% Bamboo and 50% Cotton if you’re not ready to full give up your cotton sheets!
Bamboo Bath Essentials:
Our bath line consists of Bath Towel Sets with Hand and Wash, as well as individual Bath Towels, Bath Sheets, Robes and Facial Washcloths. We’ve got you covered for all your luxury bathing linens!
Bamboo Baby & Maternity:
Wrap your little one in the luxury of super plush and absorbent Hooded Towels with a darling Panda hood. The bamboo baby washcloth 6-pack is a must have for newborn to toddlers. And if you are happily expecting; treat that ever expanding and sensitive skin to our bamboo Maternity Sheets, for the ultimate comfort before and after pregnancy.
FAQ
Are bamboo bed sheets available in the same sizes and styles as cotton sheets?
Yes, we carry Twin size, Full size, Queen, King, CalKing and Split King for all of your needs. And our Fitted Sheets have 18” depth to fit most deep mattresses.
How long do products made with bamboo stay fresh?
You can expect bamboo towels to stay fresh for many days. Some customers have told us that they can use them for 7+ days and the only reason they wash them is ‘just because’ as they simply don’t smell! We recommend laundering sheets every 7 days as your body naturally sloughs skin cells and oils, but you can easily go up to 14 days before laundering if you prefer.
How do I care for and wash bamboo fabric products?
- Wash first sheets will shrink to fit
- Machine wash on warm or cold, dry on medium
- Use a gentle eco-liquid detergent
- Avoid bleach, fabric softener, dryer balls & dryer sheets
- Remove from dryer when warm to avoid wrinkling
- Store in linen bag to keep fresh
Where can I find bamboo products?
Please visit BedVoyage.com to find all your wonderful bamboo bed, bath and baby linen needs!
