In the quest for the best sheets, you may have stumbled across all kinds of materials. We have all heard of cotton sheets and silk, but there are new textiles in town taking the world by storm. Eucalyptus and bamboo sheets. Both eucalyptus and bamboo sheets are made from plant fibers. Eucalyptus is of course made from the eucalyptus tree and bamboo comes from the bamboo tree. Both are considered to be eco-friendly bedding choices and both have their own set of selling points including pros and cons for the conscientious consumer. Here we take a look at whether eucalyptus fabric or bamboo fabric makes the best bedding.
What Are Eucalyptus Sheets?
Eucalyptus sheets are known to be cool and soft, making them a great choice for hot sleepers. These sheets are made from eucalyptus fibers, which comes from the wood of the tree itself being pulped and spun into fabric. This process is called the lyocell process. Lyocell is a common process that is a generic term for turning cellulose fibers into fabric. It isn’t only used in eucalyptus but will be the same process with bamboo. In some cases, you may see a label for eucalyptus Tencel and this is considered a more eco-friendly approach as Tencel lyocell is a more sustainable method.
Benefits Of Eucalyptus Sheets
There’s a lot to love about eucalyptus sheets. First of all, they are buttery soft and feel great to the touch. It’s interesting because eucalyptus is not considered to be a soft material, it's the process of spinning it into a fabric that makes it so silky smooth.
They are also highly breathable which means for those who struggle to regulate their temperature at night, eucalyptus will keep you cool and dry. This has nothing to do with the presence of eucalyptus oil but instead comes from the wicking qualities of the material.
Eucalyptus sheets are also antimicrobial and antibacterial which makes them a good choice for those with sensitive skin issues. These sheets won’t trap any allergens and will keep you cosy and free from scratching all night long. They are also highly durable and will last a long time.
One of the biggest draws of choosing eucalyptus sheets is the fact that they are considered to be an eco-friendly option. Eucalyptus doesn’t need as much water as other plants - for example, the super thirsty cotton. The closed-loop processing of eucalyptus sheets also means that the same water and chemicals are used over and over again, which adds up to less environmental damage too.
Drawbacks of Eucalyptus sheets
While there are many pros to picking eucalyptus sheets, there are also some drawbacks. One of the main cons of eucalyptus sheets is the cost. You can expect to pay a little more for eucalyptus sheets than cotton - although this will be dependent on quality. Some would also argue that eucalyptus is less durable than cotton.
What Are Bamboo Sheets?
Bamboo sheets come from the bamboo tree. In a similar process to eucalyptus, the wood pulp of the bamboo is pulped, soaked, spun and processed into usable fabric. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing and most sustainable plants in the world. This woody grass can soar in height and has an impressive root system which means it doesn’t need replanting. For centuries, bamboo has been used to make everything from construction materials to medicine, food, and textiles. Bamboo sheets can also be created through the lyocell process or they can be made through the rayon process. Bamboo rayon is a process that takes the cellulose fiber of the bamboo plant and uses a mechanical pulping process and chemicals to turn it into something that can be spun into threads. There are many steps in this process including harvesting, shredding, blending and cleaning, several chemical steps, decomposition, purifying, wet spinning, and finally weaving it into yarn. You can also get bamboo sheets created in the lyocell fashion and this is considered a more sustainable choice.
Benefits of Bamboo Sheets
Bamboo sheets are known to be some of the softest sheets out there. Bamboo fibers are tubular and round and this means that they don’t work against the skin but instead move with it and feel as soft as can be. They also continue to soften with use which means the longer you keep them, the softer they will become.
Bamboo is also super breathable and has exceptional moisture-wicking properties. For those who tend to sweat at night or for those who live in a high humidity area, bamboo sheets can be a gift from the gods. The moisture-wicking keeps your skin dry and the temperature regulation ensures that you stay warm and cozy in the winter months along with being cool in the summer months all without the need for purchasing new sheets. Bamboo is also hypoallergenic and antibacterial making it a solid choice for those with delicate or sensitive skin conditions.
The long fibers of bamboo are another plus point as it means that your sheets are likely to last longer. Bamboo sheets are also known for not pilling and as they don’t absorb moisture you also don’t need to worry about your sheets discoloring.
Bamboo sheets are also a sustainable choice. While the viscose or rayon process does use chemicals, bamboo itself is one of the most eco-friendly plants out there. This miracle plant knows no bounds when it comes to growth and what’s better is that it doesn’t deplete the soil but instead gives back nutrients. Bamboo also pumps out a ton of oxygen, while reducing carbon dioxide in the environment. It doesn’t require a lot of water and as it has no natural pests, it is always grown organically as it doesn’t need any kind of irrigation, pesticides or fertilizers to help it on its journey.
Drawbacks of Bamboo Sheets
While there are endless benefits to picking bamboo sheets there are some drawbacks that need to be considered. One of the main drawbacks is the production process of the material when using the rayon process. The rayon process does rely on the use of harsh chemicals to make the cellulose fibers suitable for being turned into fabric. Weighing up the pros and cons of having a fabric that is more sustainable than cotton but that still requires some harmful chemical processing takes some balanced thought. Another potential drawback of bamboo sheets is that they can also wrinkle.
The Main Differences Between Eucalyptus And Bamboo Bedding
While eucalyptus and bamboo bedding does share plenty of similar characteristics in terms of softness, durability, and breathability, and is an eco-friendly option there are also some key differences.
One of the main differences and what may give eucalyptus the edge over bamboo in sustainability comes from the closed-loop production in making these sheets. Closed loop production means there is less wastage which makes it a more eco-friendly option.
While both types of bedsheets feel super soft, bamboo is arguably slightly softer and has a silkier finish. Eucalyptus is still extremely soft and some also believe that it has a more luxurious feel to it in comparison to the more lightweight feel of bamboo.
Properties Of eucalyptus Sheets and Bamboo sheets
There are many awesome properties to both eucalyptus and bamboo sheets and here are a few that they share that make them stand out from the crowd when it comes to the best bedding.
Sustainable
In comparison to cotton and silk, both bamboo and eucalyptus bedding is considered to be the more sustainable option with a less heavy environmental impact. This is because bamboo and eucalyptus use a lot less water. Of the two plants, bamboo is probably the most sustainable at source as bamboo has a super high yield, doesn’t deplete the soil, can be grown in a small space, pumps out oxygen, and reduces carbon dioxide. Eucalyptus lyocell is considered to have a more sustainable manufacturing process as it goes through the closed loop cycle which means less water and toxic chemicals wastage.
Soft
Both bamboo and eucalyptus sheets are sure to be incredibly soft. Both of these fabrics feel beautiful against the skin and have a luxurious feel and a super smooth texture. Bamboo also gets softer with use (similar to cotton) and has long fibers which makes it a strong yet supple material too and adds to its longevity of life.
Moisture wicking
Both eucalyptus and bamboo are famed for their moisture-wicking properties and for being able to pull moisture away from the skin. Bamboo in particular is also thermal regulating which means it will be warm in the winter and cool in the summer months. Along with moisture wicking, it also has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which are great for sensitive skin.
FAQs
Which type of sheets are better for allergies?
Some of the best types of sheets for those with skin allergies include bamboo sheets, silk sheets, eucalyptus lyocell sheets, Tencel sheets, and cotton sheets. Bamboo and eucalyptus are both antibacterial and antimicrobial which add to their hypoallergenic properties.
How long do bamboo or eucalyptus sheets typically last?
When cared for properly, high-quality bamboo and eucalyptus sheets can last up to six or even ten years. This is because these sheets have long fibers which make them durable. Bamboo is also free from pilling and doesn’t discolor as it doesn’t hold moisture. This means your sheets can stay fresh and new looking for a long time.
Are bamboo or eucalyptus sheets cooler?
Both bamboo and eucalyptus sheets share similar cooling and thermal regulating properties. The difference between which is the coolest is quite minuscule but eucalyptus arguably has the edge even when compared to cotton and linen sheets.
Are eucalyptus sheets softer than bamboo?
Bamboo bed sheets are actually considered to be slightly softer than eucalyptus although the difference is very close. Eucalyptus is believed to have a slightly more luxurious feel, while bamboo is believed to be softer and more yielding to the touch.
From dreamy duvet covers to plump pillowcases and cooling sheets made from the finest sustainable fabric and natural fibers, whether you pick eucalyptus or bamboo, you can be sure of your bed becoming an oasis of cool comfort and sweeter sleep.
