Bamboo Vs Silk: The Differences Between Bamboo and Silk

If you’re looking to invest in some new sheets, you’ve probably considered the following: Bamboo sheets vs Silk sheets – which should I purchase? If you’re still not sure which fabric to invest in, we’re here to help. 

Linenly have provided extensive guides on choosing the best sheets and understanding the main differences between bamboo vs cotton sheets. But what about bamboo vs silk? Two of the most recognised materials for providing that coveted soft, silky and luxurious feel - which material comes out on top?

While we may be biased, we vehemently believe that bamboo sheets are far more superior to silk and will provide a better sleeping experience. However, we’ll do our best to provide a factual guide on the differences between bamboo and silk, so you can make an informed decision on purchasing the best material for your bedding. 

Bamboo and Silk materials are both silky soft to touch and feel divinely luxurious against our skin. However, that’s where the similarities between bamboo and silk end. The durability and maintenance, breathability, hypoallergenic properties, sustainability and cost-effectiveness of bamboo vs silk are major points of differences between the two materials. Here’s a breakdown:

The maintenance and durability of bamboo vs silk sheets is a major differentiating point. Silk is known to be vulnerable to wear and tear much earlier on than alternative bedding materials. Silk sheets are extremely fragile, and while they can last a long time, a mishap in maintenance will often result in needing to replace silk sheets.

Bamboo sheets are extremely durable when compared to silk. Bamboo sheets can be machine washed (on a cold, gentle cycle), and will come out best when line dried. Bamboo sheets will also only get softer with time – meaning you’ll have years with your bamboo sheets before you need to think about replacing them! For more details on making the right choice between silk and bamboo, read our article on silk or bamboo: how to make the right choice in the bedroom.

Are you a sweaty sleeper? If so, then unless you plan on using the air conditioning all night, silk sheets are not the best option for you when deciding between bamboo vs silk. Silk materials keep heat trapped – the fibres of silk do not allow sweat or heat to get through, resulting in overheating and sweat building up each night. Bamboo sheets, on the other hand, have tiny micro-gaps within the fibres; allowing both sweat and heat to pass through and cool your body down. It’s these tiny micro-gaps that provide that cooling, breathable and fresh feeling to bamboo sheets. 

Bamboo fibres naturally possess hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties. Perfect for those who have sensitive skin or do not have allergies, bamboo sheets also naturally wick moisture away, keeping your sheets cleaner for longer. While natural silk does carry some hypoallergenic properties, the longer the sheets are used, the less effective these properties are.

Looking for a definitive answer on bamboo pillowcase vs silk pillowcases? It’s these hypoallergenic and breathability properties is what set the two materials apart. If you’re looking for information to decide on bamboo pillowcases vs silk, it’s likely because you want to invest in a quality pillowcase material that will reduce friction on hair and be gentle on your skin. Therefore, it’s the hypoallergenic, antibacterial and breathability properties that come with bamboo mean that the material should be your first choice for where you choose to rest your head each night. For more insights, check out our guide on choosing a bamboo pillowcase for better hair.

Finally, when comparing bamboo Vs silk, an important consideration to make is how environmentally friendly the manufacturing process is. If you’re someone that values environmentally-conscious purchasing decisions, this is a huge discrepancy between bamboo and silk sheets. To understand more about the quality of bamboo sheets, read our article on what are the best quality sheets.

Unfortunately, the process of manufacturing and producing silk bedding requires the use of live silkworms, that are killed once the process is complete. While it can be argued that silk bedding is (somewhat) sustainable, the process of producing silk fabrics is definitely not eco-friendly, and silk bedding has been determined as non-vegan.

Bamboo bedding is an extremely environmentally conscious, green and sustainable option. When you choose a bamboo sheet retailer that relies on 100% organic bamboo and is Oeko-Tex certified, you’re investing in quality sheets that are made from a regenerative plant, with no harmful manufacturing processes. In our books, the environmentally friendliness of each material is a huge element when considering bamboo vs silk.

People often get bamboo, silk and viscose confused. This is because there are a number of bamboo and silk retailers out there that will sell blended materials, where a set of sheets may be 30% bamboo and 70% viscose or similarly silk blended with viscose. When considering the differences between bamboo silk vs viscose, it’s important to remember that viscose is a synthetic material designed to imitate silk. Made from rayon, viscose can be created to provide a similar drape and feel to silk – however, it is not the same.

Viscose is entirely synthetic and is not the same as bamboo or silk. In fact, the production of some viscose is said to be extremely harmful and sleeping in or wearing varieties of viscose has shown to emit toxic substances that can lead to headaches, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and insomnia. 

Bamboo lyocell is a type of bamboo material that is made directly from the pure, organic bamboo pulp; it is crushed and washed before being spun into yarns. Traditionally, lyocell is created from wood, but bamboo lyocell is made from an entirely regenerative source. Unlike viscose, lyocell is not synthetic. Therefore, bamboo lyocell bedding comes with many of the benefits that 100% bamboo sheets come with – bamboo lyocell results in soft, silky, durable and breathable materials.  

When comparing bamboo lyocell Vs silk, the majority of the main points of bamboo Vs silk can also be applied. While both are silky smooth – bamboo will last longer, get softer with time, wash well and provide hypoallergenic, antibacterial properties while you sleep. 

Well, there you have it. We’ve broken down all of the main points that differentiate bamboo vs silk – including the main varieties of bamboo sheets. Again, we may be biased, but we strongly believe that investing in bamboo sheets is one of the best things you can do for your bedroom. 100% organic bamboo bedding is long-lasting, durable, antibacterial and will continue to provide that silky, luxurious feeling for years to come. 

Linenly are Australia’s leading retailer of bamboo sheets and bamboo bedding. If you’d like to learn more about bamboo vs silk or the benefits of bamboo, get in touch with our friendly team today. Otherwise, you can shop our full range of bamboo bed sheets online and have them shipped directly to your door. Luxury you can afford, our bamboo bed sheets will provide a sleep like no other.