Shopping for new sheets can feel surprisingly overwhelming, especially when you're faced with two popular but very different options like bamboo and linen, amongst a myriad of other types of sheets and weave options! Both bamboo and linen are known for being crafted from plants, are super breathability, and have an eco-friendly appeal. Yet they offer distinct textures, care instructions and long-term durability. If you're unsure which fabric is right for your sleep style, comfort preferences, or climate, you're in the right place. In this guide, we'll break down the key differences between linen and bamboo sheets to help you make an informed, confident choice that leads to better rest, night after night.
Bamboo vs. Linen Sheets: Which Should I Get?
What are Bamboo Sheets?
Bamboo sheets begin their journey as a tall, fast-growing grass called Moso bamboo, which is grown in Asian countries due to preferring warmer and wetter climates. Bamboo plants are one of the most sustainable raw materials in the textile world. The bamboo stalks are harvested once they reach maturity, they’re cut at the roots and allowed to regrow, again and again, with no need for fertilizer or pesticides.
Luxuriously soft bamboo sheets are created from this cotton-alternative and are now extremely popular in the bedding fabric category. Bamboo sheets offer an almost unmatched softness – cool to the touch and exceptionally gentle on skin, making them a dream choice for anyone with sensitive skin or allergies. They are also hypoallergenic and anti-microbial.
What are Linen Sheets?
Linen sheets are created from the fibers of the flax plant stem, which is mainly grown in Western Europe as it thrives in cool temperatures and well-drained soils. The fibers are harvested and retted to separate the fibers, then dried, combed and spun into yarn. Linen sheets have a different feel to them, that takes a little getting used to. The flax fibers are wider than bamboo fibers so they cannot be woven as tightly, which is what helps create smooth sheets.
Linen sheets have a crisp textured-feel to them, but get softer over time, and become incredibly soft once they’re broken in. Linen is also a breathable, cooling fabric, and super durable, meaning they will last for many years.
Benefits of Bamboo Sheets
-
Temperature Regulating: the micro-gaps and holes in bamboo fibers naturally allow air to pass through them, helping you sleep cool and comfortable all night.
-
Soft and Soothing: the indescribable feel of bamboo fabric is a dream come true for many; they are much softer than Egyptian cotton sheets. You’ll never go back to cotton!
-
Hypoallergenic: the hypoallergenic fibers are extremely comforting against your skin, those that suffer from skin conditions truly appreciate the gentle and silky feel.
-
Durable and Long-Lasting: although bamboo fibers themselves are somewhat delicate, when woven into BedVoyage’s signature tight twill weave; they'll last for many years. You can enjoy night after night of comfortable, cool sleep with bamboo sheets.
-
Bacteria Resistant: an inherent quality of bamboo is that bacteria does not grow on it, so your sheets will smell fresh longer than traditional cotton sheets.
-
Moisture-Wicking: bamboo fibers wick and evaporate moisture 3x faster than cotton, so you’ll sleep drier and more comfortably.
Cons of Bamboo Sheets
-
Too Silky: if you're someone that likes crisp, cool cotton sheets, you may not like the silky feel of viscose bamboo. They’re not the slinky, slippery satin of the 1980’s, but they’re not going to be a good fit for those that like to bleach their sheets or prefer a crisper sheet.
Benefits of Linen Sheets
-
Durable and Long Lasting: with proper care, your linen sheets will literally last for decades.
-
Cool and Breathable: the natural fibers to allow air to pass through, similar to bamboo sheets, so you’ll sleep cool and comfortably.
-
Softness: once you’ve laundered them many times; they’ll become exceedingly soft. As years go by, they simply become softer than most other fabrics.
Cons of Linen Sheets
-
Wrinkles: They wrinkle, a lot. If you’ve seen people wearing linen pants in the summer, and the creases that develop while sitting, that’s what your sheets will look like. You can expect a bit of a messy bed, but it also looks ‘natural’ and if you like that look then linen sheets won’t bother you.
-
Color Options: The color options are a bit more limited in linen sheets, as they often come in more natural tones such as Ivory, Oatmeal, and light Grays. You can find some deeper colors offered, but being a natural fiber; they lean to neutral colors.
-
Expensive: Linen bed sheets can be very expensive, with prices for quality sheets varying up to $600. They will last a long time, so it is an investment.
-
Harder to Care For: They’re a bit more difficult to care for than bamboo sheets. The manufacturers recommend washing in the washing machine but then hang-dry for best results. Not everyone has the space or ability to hang dry, and this may also mean you need a 2nd set so that your bed is made while one set is hang-drying.
-
The Feel: The initial feel of linen sheets takes some time to get used to. They don’t arrive out of the package all soft and comfy. It can take many months of laundering before they’re significantly more comfortable. After 10+ washes, linen hits its expected comfort level.
Should I Get Bamboo or Linen Sheets?
It really depends on your personal preferences! Let’s review a quick list of benefits of bamboo vs linen sheets, and then you can also look at price points and hopefully decide which is best for you.
Bamboo Sheets are soft the moment you get them out of their package, easy to wash and dry, will help you sleep cooler and are incredibly soft against your skin. They are also moisture-wicking which helps hot sleepers feel dry and comfortable. The price for quality bamboo sheets is lower than linen sheets, and they will last up to 10+ years. Bamboo is an eco-friendly alternative to cotton bedding.
Linen bedding takes many washings to break in, so you’ll spend some time getting to the point of true comfort, but then they become exceedingly soft. You can machine wash but should hang-dry so they don’t shrink. Your bed is going to look a little wrinkled and messy compared to smooth bamboo sheets. Linen sheets are as cool as bamboo and are also an eco-friendly and sustainable fabric.
Shop Bamboo Sheets at BedVoyage
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bamboo or linen better for hot weather?
You will find both fabrics to be very cooling, all year round, but especially on hot summer nights. Bamboo and linen fabrics both breathe well which is what allows you to feel cool.
Are bamboo or linen sheets easier to wash and care for?
Bamboo sheets are easier to care for as they can go in both the washer and the dryer, while linen sheets are generally recommended to be hung-dry. You ‘can’ put linen sheets in the dryer, but they won’t last as long.
Are bamboo or linen sheets better for pets?
Bamboo sheets will hold up better than linen bedding to pet claws as bamboo’s very tight weave does not easily snag or tear.
Are bamboo or linen pillowcases better for your hair and skin?
Bamboo pillowcases are going to be a better fit in regard to keeping smoother hair and skin, as the fabric is much silkier than linen.
We hope this helped you make an informed decision whether Bamboo vs Linen Sheets are the best fit for you!
Explore our other bamboo comparison blogs:
