Products made from bamboo have earned a reputation for eco-friendliness. And while that may be up for debate, it’s true that soft, silky, breathable bamboo sheets have a number of appealing qualities.

Here’s what to understand about bamboo sheets, including our recommendations for the best you can buy.

Bamboo sheets are indeed made from bamboo fibers, but the finished product can vary depending on the production process.

Bamboo sheets can be made through mechanical or chemical methods, and these vary significantly in terms of environmental impact and chemicals used.

Mechanical processing

The mechanical process of turning bamboo fibers into fabric is the same as those used to make linen from flax or hemp. There are no chemicals used, but the finished material isn’t particularly well-suited for bedding. It’s also fairly labor intensive.

Chemical processing

There are two chemical processes for creating bamboo sheets. Each one creates a different type of material

Rayon (viscose)

Also known as viscose, rayon is a soft, silky material with moisture-wicking properties. The chemical process involved in making rayon creates a regenerated cellulose fiber that’s then soaked in a chemical bath, dried, and spun into fibers.

The viscose process is chemically intensive. Without proper oversight and practices, it’s very harmful to both the environment and the people managing the process.

Lyocell

This type of bamboo fiber is made by dissolving bamboo pulp in a nontoxic solvent. It’s a closed-loop manufacturing process that vastly reduces the amount of chemical waste and is often a better option for the workers. Plus, the finished product is still soft and luxurious.

Labels on bamboo sheets vary depending on the manufacturing process used.

The Federal Trade Regulation prevents companies from marketing bamboo sheets as bamboo unless the product is made with actual bamboo fiber. In that case, it’s often labelled as “mechanically processed bamboo.”

If the sheets are made with a manufactured fiber using bamboo as the plant source, like rayon, they must be labeled and advertised properly.

The majority of bamboo sheets available on the market are made of rayon from bamboo.

We looked closely at the manufacturing processes of various brands to find the best bamboo sheets.

Many people considering bamboo sheets are looking for a sustainable, eco-friendly option. So, our recommendations include sheets made from companies that are transparent about their supply chain and production processes.

We prioritized sheets with the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification and those from companies that are committed to the health and safety of their workers and the environment.

We also checked customer reviews to make sure all the sheets on our list are incredibly soft and comfortable.

Pricing guide

Prices for bamboo sheets vary depending on the size and what’s included in the set.

We based our prices on standard queen-size sheet sets, which include one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two standard-size pillowcases.

  • $ = under $175
  • $$ = $175–$250
  • $$$ = over $250

Most sustainable bamboo sheets

Ettitude Bamboo Lyocell Sheet Set

  • Price: $$
  • Material: Lyocell
  • Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
  • Shades: 9 solid colors and 2 stripes

Ettitude’s CleanBamboo fabric is a signature bamboo lyocell material. It’s made from 100 percent organic bamboo in a nontoxic, closed-loop system that reuses water up to 200 times.

The company works with factories certified by globally recognized, ethical third-party auditors. The sheets themselves are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.

The silky-soft fabric has a breathable weave for cool comfort, and more than 2,000 5-star reviews speak to the luxurious feel of these sheets.

You can try them at home with a 30-night sleep trial.

Buy the Ettitude Bamboo Lyocell Sheet Set online.

Softest bamboo sheets

Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set

  • Price: $$$
  • Material: Viscose
  • Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king
  • Shades: White

Cozy Earth may have won our softest bamboo sheet recommendation, but that’s just the start.

The company uses bamboo sourced from United States Department of Agricultures (USDA) certified organic farms, and they work directly with every supplier from seed to finished sheet.

The 100 percent viscose (from bamboo) sheets are OEKO-TEX 100 certified, and Cozy Earth personally ensures good working conditions and fair labor practices.

Cozy Earth sheets are free of chemicals and dyes, so they’re only available in white. The company offers a 100-night sleep trial, free shipping and returns, and a 10-year warranty.

Buy the Cozy Earth Bamboo Sheet Set online.

Best linen-bamboo blend

Kassatex Linen-Bamboo Sheet Set

  • Price: $$$
  • Material: Linen and rayon
  • Sizes: Queen and king
  • Shades: 4 solid colors

A rayon (from bamboo) and linen blend makes these soft sheets feel weightless and airy. The linen material is naturally moisture-wicking, so these are a good pick if you tend to sleep hot.

You’ll sleep even better knowing Kassatex’s textile mills are OEKO-TEX certified and the company is committed to environmentally friendly practices.

Kassatex offers a 60-day sleep trial and free shipping.

Buy the Kassatex Linen-Bamboo Sheet Set online.

Best reviewed bamboo sheets

Cariloha Resort Bamboo Bed Sheets

  • Price: $$
  • Material: Viscose
  • Sizes: Queen and king. White also comes in California king and split king.
  • Shades: 8 solid colors

Cariloha offers multiple lines of viscose bamboo sheets, all of which are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. Plus, their factories are fair trade certified.

Their bamboo is grown on the sustainably run Cariloha Bamboo Farm in China.

Over 3,000 reviewers praise the quality and softness of the sheets, which they say have a luxuriously soft and smooth finish.

The company offers a 30-night sleep trial and free shipping over $100.

Buy the Cariloha Resort Bamboo Bed Sheets online.

Most economical organic bamboo sheets

Sweet Zzz Organic Bamboo Sheets

  • Price: $
  • Material: Viscose
  • Sizes: Twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and California king
  • Colors: 5 solid colors

Sweet Zzz’s Organic Bamboo Sheets are made with 100 percent Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified bamboo viscose. They’re also OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class 1 certified, making them a safe option for toddlers and infants.

Silky and soft with a sateen weave, the brand says these sheets are both breathable and temperature regulating. Plus, they’re among the most economical we could find without sacrificing good manufacturing practices.

Over 3,000 reviews praise the sheets for their supreme comfort and durability.

Sweet Zzz offers a 50-night sleep trial, a lifetime warranty, and free shipping and returns.

Buy the Sweet Zzz Organic Bamboo Sheets online.

Bamboo itself is a grass that’s used in everything from construction materials to home goods. It grows incredibly quickly — up to several feet a day — and regenerates from its own roots. This means it requires less land for cultivation. Bamboo doesn’t need fertilizers or pesticides like cotton does, and it also uses minimal water.

While there’s no question about the sustainability of bamboo itself, the eco-friendliness comes into question during the manufacturing process.

According to Peter Hauser, professor emeritus in the Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science Department at North Carolina State University, companies that highlight their closed loop systems, OEKO-TEX certification, and fair labor practices have a legitimate claim to being “eco-friendly.”

That’s because closed-loop systems can re-use water up to 200 times, recycling 98 percent of it in the process. These systems also use nontoxic solvents, which sets them apart from the harsh chemicals used in the production of rayon made from bamboo.

Hauser recommends shopping for sheets made of bamboo lyocell. He cautions that even 100 percent organic rayon is just as polluting as non-organic rayon.

Additionally, if you’re considering bamboo sheets for their green factor, opt for those that meet OEKO-TEX standards. This means they’re certified free of hazardous chemicals.

However, this doesn’t guarantee environmentally friendly practices or socially responsible working conditions. Looking carefully at a company’s stance on the environment, fair labor practices, and transparency about its supply chain can help you zero in on which companies prioritize these considerations.

This is another claim that manufacturers of bamboo sheets make. While bamboo has natural antibacterial properties, the same can’t be said of sheets made from bamboo.

“The chemical processes for viscose and lyocell remove any antimicrobial material,” says Hauser. Unless a company has applied an antimicrobial finish to the sheets, bamboo sheets won’t repel bacteria.

Beyond certifications and a commitment to ethical manufacturing practices, pay attention to the weave and thread count.

  • Weave. This describes the pattern of the bamboo threads. It impacts the sheet’s overall weight, breathability, and feel. Sateen, percale, and twill weaves are the most common. Sateen gives off a smooth, silky finish while percale is crisper and more matte. Twill is a heavier, thicker weave.
  • Thread count. This describes the number of horizontal and vertical bamboo threads found in a square inch of material. High-quality bamboo sheets should have a thread count of at least 300, which makes them softer and more durable. However, because bamboo sheets are naturally soft, excessively high thread counts aren’t really an indication of higher quality.

Bamboo sheets are loved for their soft, silky texture. They’re naturally cool with a luxurious feel.

But just because bamboo itself is sustainable and eco-friendly, it doesn’t make all bamboo sheets a green choice. Remember that the manufacturing process is what sets the environmentally-friendly options apart from those that are harmful. A little research into a company’s certifications and practices is a good place to start.

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Jessica Timmons has been working as a freelance writer since 2007, covering everything from pregnancy and parenting to cannabis, chiropractic, stand-up paddling, fitness, martial arts, home decor, and much more. Her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Pregnancy & Newborn, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and Coffee + Crumbs. See what she’s up to now at jessicatimmons.com.