Bamboo Sheets
May
23
2006
Because I love trying new stuff and we've been less than pleased with nearly every set of sheets we've tried in the last few years, we bought a set of bamboo sheets. I've since seen some that are 100% bamboo, but the ones we got are the 60/40 setup. So far, they're amazingly comfortable and way smoother than "better" cotton sheets.
I am intrigued by the label which has the bamboo content listed as "bamboo rayon". I'm wondering exactly how they are processing the bamboo into rayon threads for weaving. Does anyone know?
July 6th, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Rayon is apparently made from beech trees. The plants are processed in a similar manner to create fibers for the cloth, so it's probably a relatively easy matter to weave the resultant threads together. Hope that helps.
September 30th, 2006 at 9:48 am
Hi!
I've been looking for a good set of bamboo sheets. Could you tell me the brand that you purchased and where you bought them? Now that you've had them for a while do you notice any pilling like cotton sheets normally do?
December 27th, 2006 at 6:58 pm
Hi!
I just purchased a set of "Bamboo Rayon" at Sam's Club. I am glad to hear that you are pleased with them. Hope we are too.
January 18th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Just got 100% bamboo sheets from bed bath and beyond, cost $59.00. I seriously have sheets that are 100% cotton 1000 single thread count which I spent big bucks on and they are not as soft as these bamboo sheets. I am THRILLED with the quality and price.
September 12th, 2007 at 6:09 am
My Bamboo shirt says to hand wash and dry flat… can the sheets be washed in a washing machine?
September 12th, 2007 at 9:43 am
First of all, we love our sheets! They are extremely comfortable.
Del, yes the sheets are machine washable and dryable. Ours have done beautifully. We have had them since December 2006.
October 1st, 2007 at 6:38 pm
I've been wondering about the "Bamboo Rayon" label, too. I recently purchased a set of sheets with that label. I had already been using a set of bamboo/cotton sheets that I bought last year and simply love. The new sheets are the same brand and come in exactly the same package - but the 'rayon' listed on the label is new. It's not even indicated on the package.
I've seen slightly more shrinkage with the new set of sheets (I had believed that bamboo isn't supposed to shrink, but maybe the bamboo/cotton blend is different). Anybody else notice this?
On the whole, I'd have to say I love bamboo sheets. I find them to be softer and tougher than cotton. I have some bamboo/cotton bath towels, too. They are fabulous.
December 2nd, 2007 at 11:21 pm
I have the sheets purchased them at sams and absolutely love them. They do not sell them anymore..Does anyone know where I can find them?
(100% bamboo and rayon)
December 10th, 2007 at 2:19 am
I just bought some at Tuesday Morning. They were marked regularly $364.00 but their price was like $89.99 in Cal King.
I put them on the bed tonight, they're quite wrinkled so I'm hoping that they will smooth out when washed.
February 23rd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
My Mom, knowing I was interested in things made from bamboo, just had a towel of bamboo sent to me, from Cuddledown. While it doesn't seem to say so anywhere in the catalog they also sent me, the tag on the towel says "rayon made from bamboo".
To say that I'm ticked off doesn't even start to describe my thoughts.
While rayon can be made from anything that has cellulose in in (cotton, wood, hemp, bamboo) it retains none of the characteristics of those sources. Rayon made from linen will just be rayon.
And making rayon is a very chemical-intensive process, that is not at all environmentally friendly.
I'll refer you to the wikipedia article on how rayon is made, for details of the sulfuric acid used, etc.
Does this make up for the low impact of growing bamboo? Almost certainly not, though it's hard to factor the various costs.
Is there any excuse for bamboo rayon costing an arm and a leg? NO! None at all. However, because it sounds pretty chemically, people tend not to buy rayon; but now that it's packaged as 60% or 100% bamboo….
I _would_ like to know what real bamboo fabric feels like, because the fiber from cotton or hemp or linen (when not boiled in chemicals) do have delightful and unique characters!
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:07 am
I am very suspicious about the environmental claims of bamboo fabric. It is a regenerated cellulose, like rayon. All regenerated cellulose fibres are processed with solvents. Rayon has been condemned as a terrible polluter. Some manufacturers of rayon have made great progress in recycling the solvents they use, but it is very important to know that the manufacturer is taking these ecological precautions. I believe that Tencel is rayon made by a manufacturing process that recycles 100% of the solvents used. I cannot find reassurances anywhere that make me confident that today's bamboo manufacturers are taking appropriate ecological precautions. They appear to be riding the eco-gravy train. The same goes for the corn silk and the soy fibre. Both are regenerated. I don't know how the seaweed fibres are processed. Manufacturers argue that they don't want to reveal valuable processes, but I am sceptical to say the least.
March 2nd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
All I know is that I love mine. They are very soft and comfortable and wash really well.
As far as how environmentally friendly they are….don't have a clue and frankly (I know I am in for it) I really don't care. I have tried to buy environmentally flooring, countertops etc and I can't afford any of them. So, I guess I am destroying the environment. When it becomes economical then I will do better environmentally.
June 10th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Check out this website for more info on bamboo processing. It's not as green as it might appear. http://greencotton.wordpress.com/2007/10/02/bamboo-miracle-plant-vs-troublesome-fiber/
June 11th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Bamboo when made into rayon fiber is soft, supple and luxurious. However, it is not and can never will be certifiable as organic (due to the chemicals used in processing).
I think it would be interesting and valuable for someone to do a carbon footprint comparison between bamboo and organic cotton to see which fares better. I think the jury is still out.
Since bamboo comes primarily from Asia, the processing is often done there too…not only in environmentally hazardous ways but often using sweatshop labor. Something to keep in mind when purchasing. Read labels carefully.
October 11th, 2008 at 1:26 am
This site has the sheets that will delight you.
I have had them for over 5 months
100% bamboo 320 thread count sateen finish.
Luvvvvvv emmmmmmm
http://www.sleepbamboo.com