Bamboo and TENCEL™ bed sheets are both known for their extremely soft and smooth feel… Both fabrics “wick” moisture away from the body and are very breathable, making them ideal for “hot sleepers” or anyone suffering from night sweats.
Bamboo stalks contain bast fibers that can be processed into a relatively stiff and rough fabric like flax (linen) or hemp. However, most bamboo fabric in the market has a smooth, silky hand that feels similar to rayon – because that's essentially what it is.
Bamboo and rayon fabrics are both cozy and comfortable and can feel soft against the skin. Bamboo is also breathable, moisture wicking, and has natural antimicrobial properties which makes it good for bedding and activewear. Rayon can also be used for clothing and bedding.
Bamboo fabric is referred to as rayon or viscose bamboo fiber, as rayon comes from chemically treated bamboo pulp. Meanwhile, viscose bamboo fiber comes from regenerated cellulose fibers. A process called mercerization incorporates natural enzymes to create bamboo fabric and is more environmentally friendly.
Both TENCEL™ and Bamboo have similar feel - silk-like and smooth. However, we believe that TENCEL™ may be a better option as it is less prone to wrinkling as Bamboo, hence allowing you to have that luxurious look effortlessly!
Aesthetically speaking, bamboo bed sheets are generally more prone to wrinkling, & they lack the “crisp” sheet feeling. On the flip side, TENCEL™ is less prone to wrinkling and tends to have a lustrous and less matte look. TENCEL™ sheets are also notably softer and more drapey than bamboo.
Apart from being comfortable, these fibres are designed to wick out excess moisture as you sleep. TENCEL™ is among the top bed sheet materials that keep you cool while also preventing the production of bacteria. It is also more popular than other fabrics as its moisture-wicking properties do not cause skin irritation.
Like any other fabric, bamboo fabric has its drawbacks. Some notable disadvantage includes the potential for hazardous emissions, being prone to shrinkage, and high cost.
Japanese Knotweed
Has the bamboo appearance of raised nodes with hollow stem structure. Considered a weed and invasive by many countries. It is on the world's 100 worst invasive species and is definitely not bamboo.
Lyocell was originally trademarked as Tencel in 1982. "Lyocell" has become a genericized trademark, used to refer to the Lyocell process for making cellulose fibers.
In the end, when it comes to rayon vs. bamboo, rayon is the end result of processing the bamboo plant. Rayon is the process; bamboo is the material. That means that when you see fabric products out there that advertise “100% bamboo linen,” they're made with bamboo rayon.
Modal rayon: This type of rayon is relatively similar to Tencel in a number of ways. It is made with a simpler process than viscose rayon, and it is significantly more tensile than other types of cellulose fiber.
Textiles made from rayon (or viscose, which is the same thing) that was created using bamboo as a plant source may be labeled and advertised as “rayon (or viscose) made from bamboo.” Sellers are responsible for ensuring that their textile products are labeled and advertised correctly.
In terms of quality and user experience, bamboo rayon and bamboo viscose don't have significant differences, as both offer a similar feel and performance. However, bamboo lyocell is considered the highest-quality bamboo fabric, with superior benefits in durability and sustainability.
Look for the more compact cultivars to replace heavenly bamboo, such as Blue Muffin viburnum (V. dentatum 'Christom'), which grows to 3 to 5 feet tall and about as wide, or 'Bailey Compact' American cranberrybush (V. opulus var. americanum 'Bailey Compact'), which can grow up to 5 feet tall and wide.
Both types of fabric—fake bamboo and non-eco bamboo—fall short of delivering the superior qualities of authentic, eco-friendly bamboo fabric. They lack key features such as effective moisture-wicking, breathability, UV resistance, and antibacterial properties.
A cheap and effective alternative to bamboo cane plant supports can be stems of trees and shrubs from your garden. Not only can it be a fun alternative, but it is also more economical and eliminates the carbon footprint of importing bamboo canes.
Ghost bamboo is a large ornamental bamboo featuring powdery white grey culms and big tropical leaves. Ghost bamboo will naturally grow up to 8-12 metres in height and can be easily trimmed down in height if need be (read maintenance tips here).
Incorporating natural, organic fabrics into your wardrobe not only supports your health but also promotes sustainability. By choosing materials like organic cotton, flax linen, hemp linen, silk and merino wool, you can ensure that your clothing is breathable, gentle and free from harmful chemicals.
Bamboo sheets are antibacterial
Bamboo also repels bugs and dust mites.
Bamboo is More Absorbent and Breathable than Cotton
Our bodies sweat and the air emits moisture, and sometimes this can become irritating, embarrassing, or just plain uncomfortable when wearing a material that won't absorb moisture quickly.
Care Requirements: Tencel fabric can require more specific care instructions to maintain its texture and durability. It may not withstand very high temperatures well, so washing and drying require gentle cycles and lower temperatures. Wrinkling: Tencel fabric tends to wrinkle more easily than other fabrics.
The primary advantage of using tencel is its ability to absorb moisture. It absorbs moisture 50% better than cotton, making it ideal for summer. You can wear it all day long & not feel sweaty.
Tencel is a great eco material, but it often comes with a premium price tag. Tencel can be more expensive than most eco fabrics, however it is becoming more common to see tencel in stores and this is bringing down the price.