Are Bamboo Sheets Actually Worth The Money?

Sure, we all want our bedrooms to look great. But when we're buying mundane things like bed linens, is it more about price or getting deep, restful sleep? More and more, researchers are finding that getting a good night's sleep is one of the keys to good health, and that means more than not waking up exhausted. Good sleep makes you more alert and less grumpy, and it reduces the odds of developing serious problems like cardiovascular issues and dementia (via News in Health). 

Given that, when creating the perfect sanctuary to rest blissfully throughout the night, many people do make bedding a top priority. After finding the right pillow and a comfy mattress, outfitting these pieces with the right complementary bedding is also important, including sheets that are the right weight and softness and with care options that fit a lifestyle.

Finding the right bedding combination can come at a price, though; not all comforters, duvets, blankets, and sheet sets are priced the same. Bamboo sheets, for instance, are among the pricier sheet options on the market, typically costing more than other more common fabrics like cotton, polyester, or acetate. But are bamboo sheets worth the higher price? What are their benefits exactly? Their drawbacks? We take a look.

If you've never felt fabric made from bamboo, there's a good reason why many people love it: It's super soft. That's primarily the reason why people turn to bamboo sheets when looking for comfortable bed linens. Some people find they're more breathable and durable in comparison to other sheets, too, as noted by the Sleep Foundation. These reasons alone can make bamboo sheets worth the price tag, which often exceeds that of cotton (due to the fabric's involved manufacturing process).

Different types of bamboo sheets are available, including percale, sateen, and twill, which are all terms referring to how the fabric is woven. The weave of percale makes it a breathable material that appeals to people who tend to sleep hot. Sateen, as the name suggests, has a silkier touch but it sleeps warmer. Twill sheets have small ribs in the weave so they're not as smooth but rank high in the durability category.

Depending on your bedding goals and preferences, when selecting linens derived from bamboo, any one of these pluses coupled with their softness might make them worth the money.

Bamboo is a sustainable material that grows very easily, so for many purposes, it is very eco-friendly. Most of the time when it's processed into fabric, though, it becomes rayon. The Federal Trade Commission, in fact, has stopped the use of the term bamboo on rayon labeling. Some rayon fabrics are labeled "viscose from bamboo" on product packaging, which is basically the same thing, according to Consumer Reports. Knowing the sheets you're buying are made from a semi-synthetic material, and less ecologically sound because of the processing, takes the allure out of buying bamboo.

Looking at the big picture, it gets even worse. Making fabric from bamboo can require the use of noxious substances that result in harmful contaminants being pumped into the air. So, while the resulting product is so very soft to sleep on, if you're determined to buy green products for your home, bamboo sheets may not be worth the money to you at any price. You might even end up feeling bamboozled.