What’s the softest fabric in the world? Are you not sure of which fabric will be the gentlest on your skin? We know the answer, its Bamboo! You might be thinking that bamboo sheets must be hard or scratchy, but once you turn it into the scrumptiously silky fabric, bamboo is the softest fabric! We like to call it a cross between a cashmere and a silk. The special qualities of cashmere can be described as lightweight, downy, and comforting. And the qualities or hand-feel of silk can be described as luxurious, drapey and smooth. Add together the qualities of those 2 fabrics and you have the best description of how bamboo bed sheets feel against your skin.
If you love cozy bed linens, then bamboo is for you. The linens are so incredibly soft to the touch that sleeping in them is simply heavenly. Once you’ve slept on bamboo, you will certainly never go back to ordinary cotton sheets.
How Are Bamboo Sheets Made?
Well let’s get a little technical and tell you how! We use the type of bamboo called Moso Bamboo. It is farm-raised specifically for fabrics. The regenerated bamboo fibers are produced in a wet-spun process. Natural cellulose (in this case originating from mechanically crushed bamboo leaves and stems) is used as the raw material in a hydrolysis–alkalization process. Most Bamboo Viscose yarns are produced in China, India and Pakistan.
A diluted solution of sodium hydroxide is added to the cellulose sodium xanthogenate. This dissolves it to create a viscose solution of bamboo cellulose. After subsequent ripening, filtering and degassing, the cellulose is forced through spinneret nozzles. It spins out into a large container containing a diluted sulphuric acid solution. This solution hardens the bamboo cellulose and reconverts it into bamboo fiber filaments. These are cut into staple fibers and spun into bamboo fiber yarns. At this point the yarns can be woven into any specifications of thread count and weave.
BedVoyage uses 100% bamboo in 300 thread count, which is very high for bamboo fabrics. We also use a tight twill weave because it ensures no pilling. BedVoyage’s factory is a LEED certified factory, in which all chemicals used in the process of making the fabrics are reused and recirculated. No chemicals or dyes are spilled into the waterways or ground.
What Is Bamboo Bedding?
Before bamboo became popular as a bedding fabric, it was used in so many other ways. Many countries use the hardened bamboo stalks as rebar in construction, to build scaffolding, to make furniture, flooring, cutting boards and window blinds. The bamboo shoots are also a food staple in many Asian countries.
The special moisture-wicking abilities of bamboo have caused it to be wildly popular as a sports-fabric. It’s often used in golf shirts, workout attire, and gym towels. Due to its anti-bacterial and odor resistant qualities; it’s a must have in the making socks and underwear. These exact same benefits for sport-clothing make it ideal for sheets, duvets, towels and baby linens. We feel the best uses for bamboo fabrics in the 21st century is in cozy bed linens. The silky-smooth feel of the fabric, the amazing drape against your skin, and the comfort are simply unparalleled for bedding.
The Softest Sheets for Your Best Possible Sleep
Slipping into bed at night should be one of those magical moments, when you get to snuggle in, relax and drift off to sleep. But if you’re sleeping on cheap, scratchy, pilled sheets; you be aware of them all night. Each time you roll over, or move a leg, you’ll feel that uncomfortable feeling, that wakes you slightly. You get what you pay for, and $49 so-called bargain sheets get you a low quality of sleep. Since good sleep and waking refreshed is priceless, it’s a smart investment to shop for quality sheets.
BedVoyage Bamboo Sheets sounds like miracle sheets because they truly do so many things that cotton sheets can’t. They’re hypoallergenic, so they feel incredibly smooth to the touch. They wick and evaporate moisture 3x faster than cotton, so you’ll sleep cooler. If you suffer from any skin sensitivities; bamboo fibers are gentle and soothing to your skin. The fibers naturally resist odor and bacteria, so your linens will stay fresh longer. Please see a recent review of our products at this link.
We call it a Smart Fabric because bamboo fibers can adjust to your body’s needs. The micro-gaps and holes in the fibers can sense if you are overheating and will release the heat. But they also can sense if you’re cold and will keep your warmth in. With this ‘thermal-regulating’ quality; 2 people who may sleep very differently can finally be comfortable together, with just one set of magical sheets!
Do Bamboo Sheets Wrinkle?
Yes, bamboo sheets can wrinkle a bit where your body lays on the sheets or the pillow. This is because BedVoyage sheets are not coated with formaldehyde. Anytime you see the words ‘wrinkle-resistant’ on cotton fabrics, whether it’s a man’s button down shirt or sheets; they’ve been coated with formaldehyde. It’s an embalming fluid (think frogs from science class) that makes fabrics stiff, hence not wrinkling. We’ve chosen not to coat our fabrics with a known toxic chemical, because you’d be breathing that in during the night, and absorbing into your skin. We think a little wrinkle is acceptable vs sleeping on toxins. Each time you wash your cozy bed linens, they’ll come out of the dryer perfectly smooth and beautiful again!
How is Bamboo Harvested?
The bamboo stalks are cut near the base of the plant and allowed to regrow for their next harvest time. Moso bamboo is a super fast-growing plant, it can grow up to 3 feet per day, you can literally watch it grow. The bamboo is grown and raised on farms, specifically for the creation of linens. There are no natural forest being cut down, nor any harm to panda habitats. Panda’s staple food is bamboo, and although there are 42 types of bamboo species they eat; Moso is not one of them. During the growing of bamboo, no fertilizer or pesticide is needed, as pests are naturally repelled by bamboo.
What are Some of the Sustainable Benefits of Bamboo Plants?
Bamboo helps to clean the air, it consumes carbon dioxide and a dense forest of bamboo can return 30% oxygen to the atmosphere
It requires less water to grow, and is a drought resistant grass. It’s also a soil conservation tool, because its roots grow deep and wide helping to keep the soil in place during any flooding.
There is no need for pesticide or fertilizer, saving the planet from more toxic chemicals. Bamboo carries its own anti-bacterial agent in is stem, often called ‘bamboo zhu-kun’.
It’s one of the fastest growing plants on earth, and can regenerate even without the needs for replanting.
For all these wonderful reasons, bamboo is the softest fabric, and you will simply fall in love with it!
Sweet Dreams~
