Bamboo vs Silk Sheets: Comparison Guide
If you're serious about your health and wellbeing then good chance you're serious about getting the best quality sleep possible.
And if you're serious about quality sleep then good chance you're serious about your sheets.
With so many materials to choose from we'll forgive you for being a bit overwhelmed as to what bed sheets are right for you.
We recently did a comparison guide for linen vs bamboo sheets and today it's time for round two of battle of the sheets.
This time, it's bamboo vs silk sheets, so get your notepad and pen ready because the pros and cons are about to come quick and fast.
Let's do this!
Bamboo fabric sheets vs silk sheets, which is better?
The right bedding for your needs is often a case of personal preference, but to properly inform your decision you need facts and context, which is what we're here for.
In terms of which is better between bamboo sheets and silk sheets, you need to know the features and characteristics of each fabric.
S0 let's dive into our second battle of the sheets, and much like the first, we're going to compare bamboo vs silk sheets across several key metrics, including:
- Level of comfort and breathability
- Durability and cost
- Environment and health
- Maintenance and animal welfare
Level of comfort and breathability
Bamboo
We've said it before and we'll say it again, bamboo sheets are the the softest sheets on the market.
So when it comes to comfort (although silk sheets may be a worthy adversary which we'll get to in a minute) you really can't go wrong with a set of bamboo sheets.
Bamboo fibers offer a level of comfort that will have you dozing off to dreamland before you know it.
Moreover, bamboo is an incredibly breathable fabric which offers good air flow and a level of temperature control that makes them a year-round sheet. What we mean by that is they keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.
So if you're a typically hot sleeper that often struggles with night sweats in the hotter months of the year, you can rest assured you won't wake up in a huff, drenched in sweat due to excess moisture build-up.
Silk
It's safe to say silk sheets are very much a luxury item known for their silky soft texture.
So from a comfort standpoint, you're in good hands with silk sheets but it comes with a caveat.
In addition to sometimes being too slippery, the nature of silk bedding prevents the same level of air-flow that you get from bamboo.
As a result, silk sheets have a tendency to trap heat which means they're not the ideal option for warmer months of the year.
Verdict: Bamboo takes the cake in this metric.
Durability and cost
Bamboo
When it comes to durability, ask yourself, how long do bamboo sheets last?
Well, you'll be pleased to know that with the right level of care, bamboo sheets can last anywhere from 5 to almost 15 years!
Pretty durable right?!
The reason for bamboo sheets' impressive durability has a lot to do with how the bamboo plant is processed from raw material to bamboo fibres.
Using a production process that encompasses several steps, the bamboo plant turns goes from stalks to pulp to fibres which are then spun into yarns. These yarns are then woven into bamboo bedding products such as sheets and pillowcases.
The yarns are considerably longer than other yarns used to make bedding such as cotton, meaning less is needed to fill the sheets, resulting in incredibly durable sheets that do not pill or tear over time.
Cost-wise, they're typically cheaper than most silk sheets.
Silk
The reason silk sheets are so soft and silky is because the threads used to make them are incredibly fine.
So although they provide exceptional comfort, they're very prone to little rips and tears that can be caused by something as insignificant as a jagged toenail or rough patch of dry skin.
Additionally, as you're probably well aware, silk sheets can be exceptionally expensive, costing upwards of $800 for a quality set of sheets.
On the flip-side, our bamboo sheets will only set you back $150!
Verdict: Bamboo and it's not even close
Environment and health
Bamboo
We all know sleep quality is directly linked to physical and mental wellbeing, and bamboo sheets being so soft and breathable contribute greatly to your overall level of sleep quality.
But did you know bamboo fabric offers a range of other health benefits?
It's true. Bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial making it great for allergy sufferers.
Bamboo fabric can help reduce allergy flare ups caused by pathogens, dead skin cells, and dust mites that fester in your bedding when excess moisture builds-up.
Additionally, bamboo sheets are also great for your hair and skin.
There are several ways bamboo sheets help make your hair healthier, including:
- Being naturally antibacterial to reduce germs
- Offering great hydration for your hair
- Possessing a silky smooth texture to prevent tangles
- Offering less friction which helps to prevent damaged hair and split ends
When it comes to dry skin or sensitive skin, they have the ability to:
- Reduce the regularity of acne breakouts
- Insulate your skin and regulate body temperature
- Soothe particular skin conditions
- Keep you dry during the night
From an environment standpoint, bamboo is a sustainable source that is eco friendly and the manufacturing process has a significantly lower carbon footprint than that of essentially every other material on the market, aside from silk.
Let us explain.
Silk
Silk production is incredibly eco-friendly because the process of harvesting it only requires hot water or steam.
No pesticides, no harmful chemicals.
In contrast, although the process of turning bamboo into bedding is relatively good compared to most manufacturing processes, some chemicals are used to turn bamboo stalks into fibres.
Just like bamboo, silk is also hypoallergenic and resistant to mildew, making it a healthy option as well.
Verdict: Too hard to call, it's a tie!
Maintenance and animal welfare
Bamboo
We'll keep this one short and sweet, bamboo sheets (although slightly more delicate than cotton) are machine washable and can be put in the dryer (although we wouldn't recommend it if you want them to last the 15 years).
From an animal welfare perspective, no animals are required for the production of bamboo fabric.
Silk
Unless you're happy to ruin your $800 sheets, you can't put them in the washing machine, and the same goes for the dryer.
The only way to safely wash silk sheets is a hand wash with special detergent.
Now, where do you think silk comes from?
If you said silkworms then big ups to you.
Unfortunately, thanks to thousands of years of selective breeding to produce silk, the silkworm can no longer survive in the wild.
Verdict: Bamboo wins by two body lengths here!
Summary
So that's all for our second instalment of battle of the sheets.
Before announcing the winner let us preface by saying that both bamboo and silk are luxurious options when it comes to bedding that will help you snooze comfortably all night long (unless you're using silk in summer).
In saying that, there can only be one winner between the two fabrics, and it's clearly bamboo!
Across all the metrics, bamboo is more breathable, more durable, better for your health, requires no animals in the production process.
Oh, we almost forgot, bamboo is also a hell of a lot cheaper!
Sources
- Sleep Health Foundation, "Report to the Sleep Health Foundation 2016 Sleep Health Survey of Australian Adults", 2016 (Accessed October 2021)
- FindAnyAnswer, "How long do bamboo sheets last?", Updated 29 May 2020 (Accessed October 2021)