Although they’re renowned for their softness, there are some questions around the durability and general toughness of bamboo sheets.
Let’s be honest: there are some bamboo sheets out there that are down right terrible. They’re thrown together from cheap fabric, contain questionable amounts of bamboo, and are marketed by companies that couldn’t care less about their customers.
These shoddy sheets may not last the night (not even one night in my bed).
However, when bamboo sheets are properly made by companies that care and they contain mostly bamboo fabric, they are some of the most durable sheets money can buy.
To keep them that way and ensure they retain their ultra-softness, bamboo sheets require a slightly more specific and delicate wash and care routine when compared to sheets made from conventional fabrics.
Proper care and washing will also extend the life of your bamboo sheets. If you follow our how to wash bamboo sheets guide, you can expect to get 4-5 luxurious years out of your sheets.
Few things are more important than sleep. Keep reading to learn how to wash bamboo sheets properly are you’ll be sleeping on a bed as soft as a Panda’s belly for many moons to come.
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5 Types of Bamboo Sheets (Skip Below For Wash & Care Guide)
There are several types of bamboo sheets. So the first and most important step in washing your bamboo sheets is knowing exactly the type of bamboo fabric from which they’re made.
In the US, manufacturers are required by law to specify on the exact ingredients on a product’s label. They can’t simply put ‘bamboo fabric’. It needs to say whether it’s bamboo viscose (viscose made from bamboo, viscose bamboo, bamboo rayon), bamboo linen, bamboo lyocell, or a hybrid with cotton and other materials.
In other countries such as Australia, regulations are looser. A product may say ‘100% bamboo’, or ‘made from bamboo viscose’, only to have 40% bamboo content and the rest made up of cotton and other materials.
If you cannot find the details on the label, check the product description on the packaging or on the website of the brand or manufacturer. If you don’t find any info, get in touch with them and ask what materials (and what percentages) are used in their bamboo sheets.
Just like cotton, bamboo fibers can be woven in different ways that affect the feel and performance of the fabric.
The two most common weaves for bamboo sheets are twill and sateen. A twill weave is a standard weave that is found in many products, while a sateen weave leaves materials with a silkier and often more luxurious finish.
The good news is that the washing and care instructions for bamboo sheets with a twill or sateen weave are typically the same.
1. 100% Bamboo Viscose or Viscose Bamboo Sheets
The vast majority of bamboo sheets are made from bamboo viscose or bamboo rayon. These two terms essentially refer to the same type of material that is made from the cellulose the bamboo plant (I wrote another post that explains how its made and the differences between viscose bamboo and rayon).
Bamboo sheets that are made from bamboo viscose are the most common as they have a tonne of benefits, including they’re super soft, thermoregulating, breathable, moisture-wicking, odor-resistant, durable, and affordable.
As bamboo viscose also takes dye very easily, you’ll find bamboo viscose sheets in a wide variety of colors, along with other bedding products such as pillowcases and comforters. Bamboo sheets that are made from 100% organic bamboo viscose follow the same care and washing guidelines as non-organic bamboo viscose.
2. Bamboo Cotton Blend Sheets
To increase durability (and affordable), many manufacturers blend bamboo viscose with cotton and other materials to make a hybrid fabric.
The most common bamboo blends are 60-70% bamboo viscose and 30-40% cotton. Sheets made from a blend of bamboo and cotton tend to be slightly stronger than 100% bamboo viscose, but they also tend to not be as soft or as sustainable (I go more into the eco-friendliness of bamboo here).
3. 100% Bamboo Lyocell Sheets
Bamboo lyocell is another fabric made from the pulpy cellulose of the bamboo plant. But instead of going through a chemical process like bamboo viscose, it’s dissolved in a non-toxic solvent that produces non-hazardous waste.
Bamboo lyocell is eco-friendlier than bamboo viscose as it’s made in a closed-loop system, recycling 98% of the water used in its processing and creating very little waste.
As it’s more costly to make, there are fewer products made from bamboo lyocell. Those that are will likely come with specific care instructions that are very similar to 100% bamboo viscose.
4. Bamboo Linen Sheets
Unlike viscose bamboo which is produced using chemicals, bamboo linen is produced mechanically in a very similar way to common linen fabrics made from flax or hemp.
To make bamboo linen, bamboo is crushed mechanically and dissolved in a natural enzyme solution to extract a pulpy fibrous material. These strong, flexible fibers are then spun into yarn.
As it is labor- and time-intensive, bamboo linen is typically much more expensive than bamboo viscose. The fabric is also much coarser, so it’s not often found in sheets and bedding products.
5. Bamboo Modal Sheets
Bamboo modal is a type of fabric that goes through the same manufacturing processes as bamboo viscose.
Modal fabric is made in a very similar way to bamboo viscose, however, it is typically made from beech tree pulp and is often blended with other fibers like cotton and spandex for added strength.
If your bamboo sheets say they are ‘bamboo modal’ or ‘modal bamboo’, they’re likely made from mostly beech.
You can follow the same washing instructions as for bamboo sheets, but you can typically also tumble dry modal, which is something you should avoid with sheets made from 100% bamboo viscose.
Can I Wash Bamboo Sheets in The Washer?
For those who don’t have all day to hand wash their bedding, you will be pleased to know that bamboo sheets are machine washable (hand-washing is also a good option!)
The general recommendation is to wash bamboo sheets on a low warm or cold setting and a gentle cycle.
To help increase the longevity of your bamboo sheets and keep them in good condition for longer, there are several steps you can take to wash your bamboo bed sheets properly.
Below are some basic washing tips to remember before getting to the step-by-step how to wash bamboo sheets instructions.
General Care & Washing Tips For Bamboo Sheets & Bedding
Bamboo sheets require special care in comparison to cotton and other fabrics. Follow these general care tips to help look after your bamboo sheets and bedding products:
• Wash separately from other items
• Use mild eco-friendly detergents
• Avoid using hot water
• Wash on a gentle cycle and rinse
• Always air-dry over tumble dry
• In summer, wash every 7-10 days
• In winter, wash every 14 days
A good rule of thumb is to keep the washing and drying of your bamboo sheets as simple as possible. Avoid using the following products as they may potentially damage the bamboo fibers in your sheets:
• Bleach
• Fabric softener
• Dryer sheets
• Chemicals like chlorine and hydrogen peroxide
If you haven’t yet used or bought your new luxuriously-soft bamboo sheets, then it’s always good to wash them first as the bamboo fibers may feel stiff when they’re fresh out of the package. Putting them through a cool or low warm wash will soften the fibers up and give them a broken-in feel.
How to Wash Bamboo Sheets (Step-by-Step)
This step-by-step guide for how to wash bamboo sheets is specifically for sheets made from bamboo viscose, bamboo lyocell, or a mixture of bamboo viscose and cotton. Always check your bamboo sheet’s care instructions carefully for washing guidance.
1. Separate Your Laundry Into Bamboo Viscose Fabrics
Sort your laundry so that bamboo sheets can either be washed by themselves or with other bamboo viscose products.
Washing your bamboo sheets with cotton clothing or any items with zippers, hooks, etc. may lead to abrasion and pilling. Similarly, avoid washing them cotton towels and blankets that may shed lint.
2. Don't Overload The Wash & Always Use Mild Detergent
When you add your bamboo sheets to the washer, make sure to not overload it. Overloading can create a lot of friction and lead your sheets to wear and tear much faster.
In terms of detergent, it’s recommended to use a mild liquid biodegradable detergent. You may be able to find one that is specially formulated for use in cold water.
If you prefer powder, make sure it’s biodegradable and that it completely dissolves before adding your bamboo sheets to the wash.
Avoid harsh detergents and chlorine bleach which will damage bamboo fibers and cause them to break and pill.
3. Select The Washer Setting & Water Temperature
Perhaps the most important step is to wash your bamboo sheets on a cold or lukewarm water temperature setting (maximum 30 degrees). Hot water can not only damage the sheets, it can also lead them to shrink excessively.
Select a gentle cycle that has a short wash time and slow spin speed to further avoid pilling.
Note: Unless you’re washing greasy kitchen towels or mud, oil, and grass stains, you don’t need to use the hot setting on your washer. Doing so uses a lot of energy and significantly reduces the lifespan of your fabrics.
4. Unload Carefully & Hang to Reduce Wrinkles
As wet bamboo fibers are more likely to rip, carefully remove your bamboo sheets from the washer and lay them flat over a laundry basket. The sooner the sheets are laid out and begin to dry, the less chance there is of wrinkles forming.
See below for full instructions for how to dry bamboo sheets.
Can You Put Bamboo Sheets in The Dryer?
You’ll find many people and even brands saying that it’s perfectly fine to put bamboo sheets in the dryer. However, tumble drying your bamboo sheets can damage their fibers, colors, and elasticity and lead to significant shrinkage.
Of course, there are some times when machine drying bamboo sheets is your only option. If you have no other option than to tumble dry your bamboo sheets, choose the lowest heat setting and a low tumble cycle.
Air drying is the recommended and best drying method for bamboo sheets. Air-drying bamboo sheets prolongs the life of the fibers while also straightening out any wrinkles.
On top of this, if you’re buying bamboo sheets, then you probably care about keeping your impact on the environment to a minimum. Avoiding the dryer is also a great way to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint.
The dryer is one of the highest energy-consuming appliances in the home. A new dryer can still consume as much electricity as an efficient new clothes washer, refrigerator, and dishwasher combined.
So avoiding the hot dryer will not only help your bamboo sheets and clothes to last longer, it’ll also save you money and reduce your impact on the environment.
How to Dry Bamboo Sheets Properly
1. Hang The Sheets Out to Dry
If you can, it’s recommend to line dry your bamboo sheets and bedding (avoid direct sunlight if in a tropical climate). Line drying helps to prolong the life of the fibers, colours, and elasticity of the sheets.
If there are wrinkles away being washed, they will gradually go away in a few hours. If you are looking for that clean and crisp look, you can iron them at the lowest temperature, but doing so may reduce the lifespan of the sheets.
2. Allow Wrinkles Time to Disappear
If there are wrinkles away being washed, they will gradually go away in a few hours. If you are looking for that clean and crisp look, you can iron them at the lowest temperature, but doing so may reduce the lifespan of the sheets.
2. Store Away From Direct Sunlight
As bamboo fibers are prone to wrinkling, rolling the sheets, instead of folding them, can eliminate the need to iron them altogether.
It’s recommended to store the sheets in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing them in a plastic container, as they can trap moisture and result in mildew and yellowing, or a cardboard container, as they can transfer acids to the fabric.
Some bamboo sheets come with a breathable bamboo fabric bag that is perfect for storing your sheets. Another option is a shelf or a wardrobe drawer.
FAQs: Bamboo Sheet Wash & Care Guide
Here we’ve rounded up the most common questions about washing bamboo sheets and caring for bamboo bedding.
If you can’t find an answer to your question, drop it in the comments below and we’ll add the most popular to the list.
#1 FAQ Bamboo sheet care guide
Do Bamboo Sheets Shrink or Wrinkle When Washed?
While high-quality bamboo sheets are durable, they’re also soft and lightweight. This means they can be prone to wrinkle, especially if they’re left in the washer or dryer and not laid out to dry.
You can help avoid wrinkling by washing your bamboo sheets in cold or lukewarm water and hanging them out to dry as soon as the wash cycle finishes.
When it comes to shrinkage, bamboo sheets are expected to shrink slightly during their first wash. For this reason, many sheets are made slightly bigger (about 4%) to accommodate for the reduction in size.
#2 FAQ Bamboo sheet care guidE
Do Bamboo Sheets Get Softer After Washing?
As long as you follow the basic wash and care guidelines for bamboo fabric — wash cold and line dry — your bamboo sheets should get softer with every wash.
There’s no need to use fabric softeners as they simply add a chemical coating and can reduce the lifespan of your sheets.
#3 FAQ Bamboo sheet care guidE
How to Get Stains Out of Bamboo Sheets?
Bamboo sheets may be durable, but when they get stained, they can sometimes be tricky to remove without causing any damage.
To safely remove general stains from your bamboo sheets, it’s recommended to use an eco-friendly pre-soak or natural stain remover. As long as the products are gentle and eco-friendly, they will remove the stains without damaging the bamboo fibres.
Body oil stains can be tough to remove from bamboo bedding. If you need a more more intensive stain remover, you can apply a mild vinegar and water treatment (One-part vinegar to four-parts water) to the stains before using an eco-friendly pre-soak or natural stain remover product.
For more stubborn stains, you can try an enzyme-based stain remover as long as it doesn’t contain chlorine. Never use bleach as it is for too harsh for bamboo fibres and may eat a hole in your precious sheets.
#4 faq bamboo sheet care guide
Are Bamboo Sheets Hypoallergenic?
Many bamboo sheets claim to antibacterial and hypoallergenic, and therefore perfect for people with sensitive skin and allergies.
These claims are based on the natural properties of the bamboo plant. The problem is, most bamboo sheets are made from bamboo viscose, and studies have shown that little to none of the antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and UV-resistant properties of the plant survive the manufacturing process.
The only time when bamboo fabric is recommended for sensitive skin (but it still doesn’t mean it’s antibacterial) is when a product is OEKO-TEX certified (Read this post to find out more).
#5 faq bamboo sheet care guide
Can I Wash Bamboo Pillows in The Washer?
If you have a bamboo pillow, it’s recommended to gently soak and wash it in a bathtub or sink using a natural detergent. This helps to retain their shape, firmness, and elasticity (pillowcases are fine in the washer on a cool wash).
The Softest & Easiest to Care For 100% Organic Bamboo Sheets
If you yet haven’t bought your bamboo sheets or the ones you have are low-quality, then you can save yourself a lot of time and hassle by investing in our highest-reviewed bamboo bed sheets.
These 100% organic bamboo sheets by Tafts are some of the best on the market. Available in a range of colors, they’re naturally cooling, moisture-wicking, and as soft as sleeping with a family of pandas.
✓ Designed in Houston, Texas
✓ Independently Verified 100% Organic Bamboo
✓ Certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100
✓ Tested as free from over 100 harmful substances
Check the current price and grab yours below.
NOTE:
This article includes links to trusted websites where you can purchase some of the highest-quality bamboo products, hand-picked and reviewed by me. By clicking these links, you help support my work and I may earn a small commission (I never take payments to promote products). Thank you Panda-lovers!
