Bamboo viscose doesn't trap heat the way some traditional bedding materials can, which makes it a great option for temperature regulating sheets. Naturally cooling sheets are also great for hot flashes, especially when paired with lightweight bamboo viscose pajamas.
However, the resulting fabric tends to be somewhat coarse and prone to wrinkling. Our guide to the best bamboo sheets highlights some of the best options available.
Bamboo sheets are cool, breathable and absorbent
Bamboo sheets are light, smooth, breathable and antibacterial. They are also cooler to the touch than cotton sheets. Beyond that, bamboo can absorb 40% more water than cotton. So a bamboo sheet is a great choice to absorb sweat.
Bamboo sheets are a type of bedding that's made from bamboo fibers, which are highly breathable and lightweight. This makes them ideal for hot sleepers because the fabric is better able to move moisture away from your body while you sleep.
After testing dozens and dozens of sets in our ongoing quest for the best sheets, we've found that a set in linen or percale cotton (which is more breathable than sateen) is a great way to round out your bedding collection and extend the life of your everyday sheets by giving them the summer off.
What type of sheets sleep the coolest? In general, sheets made from linen, bamboo, and Tencel offer the coolest, most breathable feel. Cotton sheets that feature a percale weave are also known for being exceptionally lightweight and airy, perfect for hot sleepers.
Fabrics made from natural fibers are more breathable and cool than synthetics, whether used for bed linens or clothing. Natural fibers include wool, cotton, linen, and silk.
No, bamboo sheets do not make you sweat. In fact, they have superior breathability and help to reduce sweating and discomfort.
Durability – Viscose from bamboo fabric is known for its durability. It is less likely to pill with use, especially if you take proper care of your bedding. Meanwhile, Egyptian cotton is also easy to take care of, much like regular cotton, but tends to wear out faster than bedding made of bamboo viscose.
Cotton naturally retains more heat than bamboo, and the natural, long fibres of bamboo sheets provide breathability elements that just can't be matched by cotton's shorter threads. The breathability factors of bamboo keep bamboo sheets cooler than cotton.
Bamboo fibers are naturally breathable and moisture-wicking, which helps to keep the skin cool and dry. This makes bamboo bedding an ideal option for hot sleepers who want to regulate their body temperature and prevent night sweats.
Because bamboo sheets are delicate and soft, it's advised that you air dry them, to avoid damaging the fibres and maintain elasticity and colour. However, it is possible to machine dry bamboo sheets, so long as you choose a low heat and remove your bedding from the dryer as soon as the cycle is finished.
For people who get hot during sleep, choosing sheets made of bamboo, cotton, or linen — breathable fabrics that wick away moisture from the body and help maintain a comfortable temperature — can help.
Durability. Both bamboo and Egyptian cotton sheets are known for their high quality. These sheets have been known to last for up to 15 years because of the long fibres present in both the bamboo and cotton plant.
Believe it or not, bamboo sheets naturally get softer over time. This is due to the long thread fibres that make up bamboo sheets in contrast to the typical rough thread fibres commonly found in other bedding materials.
Pro: Bamboo Is Cooling and Breathable
If you're a hot sleeper, bamboo sheets can be a great choice. 100% bamboo fabric is a naturally breathable material. It wont trap as much heat during the night as other types of fabric, which can help you get better sleep.
Bamboo blend sheets are good, but they are not comparable to 100% bamboo viscose or rayon sheets. On the other hand, 100% bamboo sheets are the best bed sheets on the market in terms of quality and sustainability. If you value softness over smoothness, look for bamboo sheets with a 'twill weave'.
Bamboo sheets wash and retain their quality when washed in cold water, as continuous hot water washing has the potential to shrink bamboo fibres.
Bamboo bed sheets respond well to regular washing. We recommend aiming for once every 7 to 10 days. But if you go a fortnight between washes, that's reasonable as well.
Use regular laundry detergent for bamboo sheets, but do not use any chlorine bleach, as the bleach weakens your bamboo sheets and can cause yellowing. Bamboo sheets or other items made with bamboo fabric are naturally soft, so do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets. Do not dry clean bamboo fabrics.
Several of the sleep experts I spoke to suggested linen sheets. According to Dr. Joshua Tal, a psychologist who specializes in sleep disorders, they are very breathable and “pick up cool air.” Oks says that since linen is made of a looser weave than, say, a cotton sheet with a high thread count, it traps less heat.
Linen and cotton are both great options for hot, sweaty sleepers. Both fabrics are breathable (and therefore, cooling). "Fabrics like bamboo are breathable and cool, even in warmer seasons," Holliday-Bell explains.
Cotton There's a reason cotton bed sheets are the standard for luxury bedding. It's simply the best sleep experience on the market. And we think cotton is king especially when it comes to summer sheets.