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.
Evidence has also been found that chemicals from synthetic textiles like bamboo viscose can leach into the skin, causing issues for wearers. For these reasons, environmentally-conscious brands like Patagonia choose not to use bamboo in their products, and many eco-conscious consumers avoid bamboo clothing.
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.
Side note: bamboo is NOT eco-friendly when it is used in clothing! Avoid bamboo clothing. Bamboo is as hard as wood, which means making it soft enough for comfortable clothing requires a lot of chemicals. About 50% of these chemicals cannot be reused or even recaptured, and end up in the environment.
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.
Organic cotton isn't treated with pesticides or fertilizers, meaning the fabric is far less likely to cause irritation or inflame allergies.
Put simply, Bamboo is a grass and cotton is a plant. Bamboo grows quickly and with less water than cotton, making it a more sustainable fabric. Bamboo is more absorbent than cotton, perfect for those that get sweaty at night. While both fabrics are breathable, cotton tends to breathe better than bamboo.
Even today, a recent document by Boise Cascade downplays non-wood alternatives to wood fiber for paper. HOWEVER, the primary reason there is no domestic supply of bamboo is that there was never an economical supply of juvenile plants to establish large groves of bamboo.
Bamboo is a fantastic fabric choice for pajamas due to its natural softness, breathability, and hypoallergenic properties. However, it's essential to recognize that bamboo, like any organic material, can be susceptible to mold under certain conditions.
While it may be harder to come by, bamboo linen, also known as bast bamboo fiber, uses a chemical-free mechanical process that may appeal more to eco-conscious shoppers. However, the resulting fabric tends to be somewhat coarse and prone to wrinkling.
Bamboo fabric has a luxurious softness and premium comfort. The feel of high-end bamboo fabric may seem similar to silk or cashmere. The material has a smooth, soothing texture and natural cooling effect, offering unparalleled comfort when used in clothing.
While Tencel as a fibre is similar to Bamboo, Tencel is made out of cellulose from wood (typically eucalyptus) rather than bamboo plant, and is often touted for its notable softness.
Bamboo's greatest weakness is its poor durability in its natural state. The material attracts insects and fungus, which cause decay, and untreated bamboo structures don't last more than a few years.
Bamboo viscose fabric can last a decade, or even longer if it's well taken care of.
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.
Since bamboo tends to like moist soil, the roots have been known to clog sewer lines and water pipes. Apparently, the term running bamboo is a well-earned nickname. New York is the first state to ban bamboo species.
Bamboo is generally grown and harvested in mono plantations. Mono plantations mean only one type of plant, bamboo in the case, is planted in one area. Often forests and established ecosystems are removed to make way for mono plantations, and biodiversity is decreased.
In the late 1960s, a species of bamboo called Phyllostachys bambusoides–commonly known as the Chinese Mainland Bamboo or Japanese Timber Bamboo–burst into flower. The species originated in China, was introduced to Japan, and later into the United States and other countries.
Bamboo Sheet Weaves
Since the threads are evenly dispersed, it's easy for air to pass through the fabric, making them a good choice for hot sleepers. Percale sheets usually have a matte finish, and while they're generally easy to care for, they do tend to wrinkle fairly easily.
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.
Bamboo fibers are so durable they resist shrinking, stretching, tearing, and pilling. And because clothes made from bamboo require fewer washes, they maintain their quality for years, long after cotton garments show signs of wear and tear.
This is the category that holds the majority of the skin-harming culprits. Man-made fabrics like acrylic, polyester, rayon, acetate, and nylon are treated with thousands of harmful toxic chemicals during production, according to ScienceDaily.
Ultimately, the best non toxic bedding is anything made using natural, organic fabric like cotton and linen. Avoid using anything made of materials such as acrylic, nylon, or polyester that can contain plastic and other chemicals. These chemicals can absorb into your skin over time.
Polyester fabric comes in numerous iterations. It is the most popular fabric in the world – one of the reasons for this is its excellent drape. Recycled Polyester is known for its sustainability because we create it out of plastic bottles ( Learn more about Recycled Polyester here ).