Bamboo Fabric Vs Cotton Fabric – is Bamboo Fabric Better Than Cotton?

When it comes to a comfortable night’s sleep, the fabric that your bedding is made of can play a huge part. Cotton has always been a popular choice for bedtime, with the fabric known for its luxurious thread count and relative durability. But in recent years, many cotton lovers have switched to bamboo – the trendy, natural fabric that’s taking the home industry by storm. The question is which (if any) is better? From eco-friendly credentials to breathability, let’s take a look at what makes the better choice for a restful night’s sleep.

Bamboo v cotton – the basics

Bamboo and cotton are both types of fabric that can be used to make clothing, luxurious homeware, and bedding. From fluffy towels and smooth pillowcases to cosy duvets, both fabrics create exceptional products. Bamboo fabric is often referred to as bamboo rayon, lyocell or bamboo linen. The different names refer to slight variations of the manufacturing processes, determining how eco-friendly the resulting fabric is. Bamboo fabric is made from deriving bamboo cellulose from bamboo fibres, while cotton fabric uses natural fibres from the cotton plant. The two most popular types of cotton fabric are Egyptian and Pima. Egyptian has slightly longer fibres creating a softer more indulgent fabric, while Pima comes close in comfort levels and is far more budget-friendly.

What are the benefits of bamboo fabric and cotton fabric?

The question you’re likely asking before deciding which to choose is what are the benefits of each fabric? Let’s take a look!

Benefits of bamboo fabric

Comfort – bamboo fibres have a round, smooth structure that translates into a beautifully soft, smooth fabric. This makes it one of the most comfortable choices for bedtime and has caused bamboo bedding to climb in popularity over the last few years. A special bonus of bamboo fabric is that it gets softer with every wash, making it a super investment for long-term comfort.

Breathability – one of the key benefits of bamboo is its exceptional breathability. This makes it a unique way to combat the natural retention of memory foam used for mattresses and pillows, inspiring the innovative BioCell Foam™ used in our Bamboo Hybrid Mattresses.

Naturally antibacterial – bamboo fabric retains some wonderful natural properties such as being antibacterial, which helps aid hygienic sleep. It also makes it perfect for creating homeware and kids products such as baby muslins, which can attract a lot of bacteria with use.

Thermoregulating – the natural thermoregulating quality of bamboo means that it regulates body temperature, which makes it a popular fabric every season. From cosy winters to warm summers, bamboo will keep you feeling just right.

Hypoallergenic – those who suffer from allergies and sensitive skin love the way smooth bamboo fabric glides across the skin. The plant is naturally hypoallergenic meaning it actively protects against allergies keeping you cool and irritation free.

Benefits of cotton fabric

Comfort – Egyptian cotton is often hailed as one of the most comfortable choices for bedtime, with its luxurious (but expensive) thread count being an extravagant indulgence. Cotton fibres are slightly more coarse than bamboo, with the fabric offering a slightly crisper feel.

Durability – although cotton bedding and other products may fade in colour, the fabric is incredibly durable and can last for years.

Absorbent – cotton fabric is wonderfully absorbent, making it a great fabric to be used for towels and certain home products. However, bamboo is three times more absorbent than cotton fabric!

Which is more eco-friendly?

When it comes to making the best choice for the planet, which fabric has the higher eco-friendly credentials? Well, bamboo is likely the winner here. Bamboo requires a third less water to grow than cotton, and wow does it grow – up to four feet a day in fact, which makes it one of the world’s most sustainable resources. Cotton relies on far more pesticides and fertilisers to harvest. While both fabrics are durable, making them great long-term investments, bamboo appears to be the more ethical choice when taking a holistic view of the production processes. Bamboo is linked to fairer conditions for workers and more advanced manufacturing processes that are kinder to the environment.

Bamboo v cotton: which is the better choice?

Ultimately, both fabrics have their advantages. Though if you are looking for the softest, most eco-friendly bedding and homeware, bamboo could be the way to go. It is important to check the brands you are shopping with have the right certifications for their products, ensuring they meet the highest environmental and quality standards for their industry. Ensuring bamboo products are OEKO-TEXⓇ certified will give you peace of mind that they are free from harmful substances. If you’re new to eco-conscious living, starting to implement more bamboo products is a great way to take natural steps to a more eco-friendly, super comfy lifestyle. Why not start with bedtime?