Whenever the opportunity arises to do a sleep-related article, I jump at the chance!
I’ve already slept my way through a bunch of cotton comforters, bamboo pajamas, eco-friendly bedding, eco-friendly mattresses, organic mattress toppers, and wool comforters.
And now, I also get to test the best organic bamboo sheets currently on sale in the U.S.
It’s a tough life!
I used to doubt whether or not bamboo could be classed as a sustainable fabric.
I still believe that you have to be careful to avoid greenwashing and steer clear of synthetic fabrics containing 1% bamboo and claiming to be sustainable.
However, I now firmly believe that ethically sourced and manufactured bamboo fabric has a place in our eco-friendly wardrobes and linen cupboards.
They Say: Here at Ettitude, we use bamboo lyocell, which is one of the most sustainable textile materials of the 21st century. The fiber yield per acre from bamboo is up to 10 times higher than cotton and requires less than 1/10 of the water to grow. It is fabricated with high eco-standards, using a closed-loop system that allows us to recapture and reuse the required chemical solution.
We Say: MadeTrade is one of my favorite zero-waste stores. So when I saw they were selling Ettitude bamboo sheets, I simply had to get a set for testing.
They were the first set of bamboo sheets I tested and remained my favorite throughout this article's entire testing/review process.
They’re simply stunning! Silky smooth (without being too slippy) and luxurious to the touch, these OEKO-TEX certified bamboo sheets are a joy to sleep on.
They kept my body temperature perfectly regulated for eight hours of goldilocks sleep (not too hot, not too cold, just right!).
I tested the Slate option. Moss, Ocean, Sky, Canyon, Cloud, and Starlight Blue are also available. I'm sure you'll find a color to match your decor.
Ettitude’s eco-credentials are equally stunning. Certified B Corporation, members of 1 % For The Planet, and Climate Neutral Certified.
Ettitude has also committed to only working with cut and sew factories certified by globally recognized ethical third-party auditors.
And, if all that wasn’t enough, by shopping at MadeTrade, you get free carbon-neutral shipping on all U.S. orders over $100 and 15-day hassle-free returns.
Ettitude organic sheets, sold by MadeTrade, a genuine eco-friendly powerhouse partnership!
They Say: Our organic bamboo bed sheets are crafted from the finest 100% viscose from organic bamboo, which is one of the planet's most resource-efficient materials. Our sheets have a luxuriously soft and silky smooth sateen weave with temperature regulating properties that keep you comfortable all night long. Bamboo is a renewable resource that grows quickly and uses far less water than cotton.
We Say: High-quality eco-friendly bamboo sheets made from 100% viscose and organic bamboo for $100? It sounded too good to be true…so I had to investigate further!
It turns out it really is true!
Mrs. M first made me aware of Quince when I was researching eco-friendly bags. I was impressed then, and I'm impressed again!
These eco-friendly sheets are amazing to the touch. So incredibly soft and cooling.
The 16” deep pocketing means these sheets will fit most mattresses, and five color options are available (White, Sand, Light Grey, Soft Blush, Charcoal).
The way Quince works (selling directly from the manufacturer to the customer) means they can offer high-quality products at incredibly competitive prices.
If all that's not enough, Quince also offers free standard shipping and a 365-day return policy. This gives you a full year to test these bamboo sheets in the comfort of your bedroom.
Used and washed sheets will be accepted for return. You do need to return in the original packaging, though, so make sure you keep it all…just in case!
Quince doesn’t just offer great prices, free shipping, and a fantastic returns policy; it’s also fully committed to sustainability.
When I enquired about their organic status, I was impressed by how quickly Quince replied and that they’re working towards being GOTS certified.
This was their reply:
“We are working with our supplier in India to receive the appropriate GOTS certification. As a new company, we have not received it yet - but I can guarantee our bedding meets the standard 100 by OEKO-TEX organic. Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with the name of the supplier, as our vendor partnerships are proprietary. We do not manufacture anything ourselves, but rather partner with factories around the world to bring their products to you directly. When our vendor partners update their certification, we’ll update ours accordingly”.
They Say: The Bampure organic bed sheets are crafted from 100% organic bamboo viscose grown in a chemical-free environment, making them the softest sheets. OEKO-TEX approved, this is the highest quality on the market. Our bed sheets keep you cool in the summer months, yet cozy in winter, making them the best sheets for hot sleepers.
We Say: This is another organic option at the $100 price point that impressed me.
There are some negative reviews on amazon about these sheets being polyester and not bamboo.
I’ve spoken to the manufacturer, and they confirm that they sent a small number of customers the wrong sheet sets.
The sheet set I was sent was definitely 100% bamboo.
The sateen weave was maybe slightly too slippery for my preference. However, that's just me being picky. The overall comfort of this bamboo sheet set was excellent.
You can also sleep safe in the knowledge that these bamboo sheets contain no toxic ingredients, thanks to the OEKO-TEX certification.
The fitted sheet is deep-pocketed and designed to fit mattresses up to 16” deep.
Organic certification is not the be-all and end-all for bamboo sheets.
Bamboo is such a sustainable crop that even standard bamboo is incredibly sustainable and eco-friendly.
Buying your bamboo sheets from an ethical brand/manufacturer is just as important as the quality of the bamboo used.
They Say: So soft and comfy, it’s like sleeping on a cloud. This 100% rayon from bamboo sheet set has a silky weave that’s gentle on the most sensitive skin. Feel fresh and cool every night under breathable sheets that wick away moisture. Designed to fit even extra-large mattresses with a smooth finish.
We Say: This is a return of an old favorite. PlusBeds make my favorite eco-friendly mattress!
I’ve also previously used/recommended them for furniture, cotton comforters, wool comforters, and bedding.
This PlushBeds bamboo sheet set is made from rayon, which can be one of the lesser eco-friendly fabrics made from bamboo. However, after thoroughly researching how PlushBeds source their bamboo rayon, I’m happy it's sustainable and free of toxins.
The sheet surface created by the bamboo rayon was the silkiest of all the sheets I tested. This, combined with the natural anti-bacterial and anti-allergenic properties of bamboo, make this sheet set perfect for those with sensitive skin.
The extra-deep pockets of the fitted sheet mean it will fit any mattress depth from 6” to 22”.
This eco-friendly bamboo sheet set is covered by a five-year warranty, and shipping is free on all orders delivered within the contiguous U.S.
They Say: These sheet sets are made of eco-friendly bamboo and feature a luxurious twill weave finish that’s 3 degrees cooler and twice as soft as cotton, and highly sustainable. So incredibly soft and comfortable, you’ll float away on a cloud of bamboo comfort.
We Say: I was mightly impressed with the eco-credentials of Cariloha when I tested their bamboo pajamas, so I was looking forward to also trying their bamboo sheets.
I was mightily impressed once again!
The twill weave is super soft but more cotton-like than most other sheets I tested. Perfect for those who love cloud-like softness without too much slide.
Cariloha is rightfully proud of the softness of its OEKO-TEX certified bamboo sheets. They claim that they’re softer than 1,000 thread Egyptian cotton sheets.
The viscose used for these eco-friendly bamboo sheets is extracted using Cariloha's earth-friendly bamboo process.
This sheet set is a carbon-neutral product. The 34.1 kg of carbon from these bamboo sheets is fully off-set via the following third-party verified programs:
There are five color options (Tahitian Breeze, Ivory, Beach Linen, Sage, White), and free standard shipping anywhere in the contiguous U.S. is available on all orders over $100.
I love that Cariloha includes two fitted sheets in this set (most only come with one), giving you a handy spare.
If you’re not completely in love with your eco-friendly Cariloha bamboo sheets you can return them for a full refund or replacement within the first 30 days. You’ll have to cover the return shipping cost, though.
They Say: Layla’s Bamboo Sheets are significantly softer than the vast majority of cotton sheets. Not only are they softer, but they also keep you cooler. Cotton sheets tend to retain more heat because of their stiffer weave, while bamboo sheets offer better breathability and excellent airflow. Bamboo plants use around 12 gallons of water to create a pound of fabric, but cotton plants need around 200 times that amount.
We Say: Layla is a brand I’ve been aware of ever since I recommended their copper-infused memory foam mattress.
I love the Layla bamboo sheets because they offer the same excellent 120-night home trial as they do for their mattress.
This gives you plenty of time to - literally - sleep on your purchase and decide if it’s right for you. Simply email Layla to initiate a free return for a full refund if you decide it's not.
There’s also a five-year warranty to protect you from manufacturing defects.
The Layla bamboo sheets were very nice to sleep on. They’re silky smooth, and I found the temperature regulation to be spot on.
One potential downside is the lack of color options (only white and gray are available). If you’re looking for more colorful bamboo sheets, then Layla is not for you.
They Say: Cool-jams create a sleep oasis with bamboo moisture-wicking sheets. These exceptionally soft and cozy sheets actually adjust to your body's temperature so that you aren't too warm or too chilly at night. It's all thanks to the eco-friendly 100 percent rayon fabric that is intricately woven from bamboo.
We Say: Cool-Jams make the list because they were the coolest sheets to the touch that I tested. Not surprising for a brand called Cool-Jams I suppose!
These eco-friendly sheets have an almost cashmere-like feel to the touch. Real luxury for a reasonable price.
These deep pocket sheets will fit mattresses with a depth of up to 18”.
This sheet set arrives in 100% recyclable packaging, and free shipping is available on all U.S. orders over $100.
The best way to ensure that the fabric used in your bamboo sheets is sustainable is to look out for official certifications, such as:
Most bamboo sheets come in one of two weave types:
Bamboo sheets are 100% bamboo, right? If only it were that simple!
100% bamboo sheets are the best bamboo sheets you can buy. However, they’re also the most expensive.
Many brands/manufacturers will mix bamboo with other fabrics to reduce costs. The most common mix is 50% bamboo and 50% cotton. Ideally, look for organic cotton.
The general rule of thumb is the lower the bamboo content the lower the quality of the sheets.
Steer clear of bamboo mixed with high levels of synthetic fabrics or unspecified microfibres.
Bamboo is naturally softer than cotton, so the thread count of bamboo sheets is lower than cotton sheets.
A thread count of 250 - 350 will result in luxuriously soft bamboo sheets.
Fitted sheets are elasticated and easy to fit change.
Flat sheets are basically big rectangles of fabric that need to be tucked under the mattress to hold them in place.
One thing to bear in mind is the depth of your mattress. If you have a deep mattress, you might need deeper sheets.
There are four main types of bamboo fabric:
A high price does not always indicate a better product.
However, from my experience of testing/researching for this article, price is a good indicator of quality and eco-credentials when talking about bamboo sheets.
I recommend spending at least $100 on your bamboo sheet set to ensure you’re getting a non-toxic and sustainable product.
A higher thread count is not only a sign of softer sheets. It can also help with increased durability.
Correct washing (see below) will also boost the durability of your bamboo sheets.
The fibers in bamboo sheets are shorter than those in cotton sheets, so they need to be treated with care.
Always wash bamboo sheets on a cold/cool setting, using eco-friendly laundry detergent. No fabric softener is needed due to the natural softness of the short fibers.
Doing so will reduce pilling and help keep your bamboo sheets softer for longer. It also has the bonus side effect of using less energy.
Bamboo sheets are temperature regulating and hypoallergenic. They make a perfect choice for hot sleepers and allergy sufferers.
Tencel sheets are made from a sustainable fabric obtained from eucalyptus.
The best place to start when choosing the best quality bamboo sheets is to go for 100% bamboo content. Pure bamboo sheets offer the best cooling and moisture-wicking.
While it's true that a lot of bamboo sheets come from China, you can still get brands made in different countries (including the U.S.). I’ve tried to include a mix of countries of origin in my recommendations.
Yes. Bamboo sheets are warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
The CozyEarth Bamboo Sheet Set made it onto a list of Oprah's Favorite Things. I tested them, and they're excellent sheets. However, they faced stiff competition and didn't quite make the list.
If it had been a top 10 list, they’d have made the cut. So, if you want to sleep on sheets that Oprah Winfrey once described as “softest EVER”, CozyEarth is well worth a look.
100% bamboo sheets stay sleek and wrinkle-free when on your bed. They also don't require much ironing when they come out of the wash (we only iron the bamboo sheets on the guest bed!).
The lower the bamboo content the more wrinkling issues you’re likely to encounter.
Simply Organic is not a brand I tested. I’ve added them to the list to test when I revisit this article for updates.
Bamboo fiber is a wonderful natural resource. It’s fast-growing and sustainable.
However, some of the processes used by some companies to turn bamboo into fabric are anything but sustainable.
Lyocell offers the best balance of eco-friendly and affordability.
Viscose and rayon are also acceptable, providing that you’re confident it's been produced in an eco-friendly fashion.
Your natural bamboo sheets will get plenty of daily use. I recommend spending as much as you can afford to get the best quality possible.
Where do you buy your natural bamboo sheets? Have I missed your favorite brands? Drop me a line and let me know.