Bamboo Sheets

If you are looking for a 'green' alternative to traditional bed linen, then perhaps bamboo sheets might be the perfect choice.

Over recent years alternatives to traditional fiber sources have been explored, including the development of a fiber that comes from the bamboo plant. Bamboo is a fast growing and fibrous plant. The qualities of bamboo as a building material have long been recognized in many parts of the world and items such as bamboo flooring and bamboo housewares are becoming increasingly popular. The fiber is also being developed into a thin yarn that is used to weave and knit fine textiles and fabrics. This fabric is ideal for many things including sheets.

Bamboo sheets offer many important benefits and these include:

The bamboo plant is quick to grow and this makes it a perfect renewable resource. People interested in green living are keen to buy items that come from renewable resources as these are environmentally friendly. These products are also sustainable, which is another important feature.

Unlike many cottons and linens, the bamboo plant grows quickly without the need of chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides. This means that the fibers that are produced from the bamboo plant are organic. The finished sheets will therefore also be organic, assuming that the rest of the manufacturing process is also free from harmful chemicals. Chemicals are sometimes used in the preparation of fibers, for instance chemical dyes are sometimes used to color yarns and fabrics. The label on the bamboo sheets should clearly state whether the sheets are organic and this should be certified by a recognized organic certifying body.

Bamboo fibers are incredibly soft and they also have a natural 'wick' which means that they draw moisture down the body of the fiber away from the surface. This makes bamboo an extremely effective choice for sheeting. The soft fibers also ensure that the sheets are comfortable – even for the most sensitive of skins. Bamboo sheets are also reported to be cooling during the summer and to bring extra warmth during the winter.

Bamboo bedding is becoming mainstream and it can be found in many bedding and household stores. This means that the process of buying bamboo sheets is exactly the same as buying traditional sheets. There are, however, a couple of key points that people want to bear in mind when purchasing environmentally friendly bedding. This includes:

• Check whether the sheeting is 100 percent bamboo fiber or whether other fibers have been added. Many sheets are made from a blend of bamboo and other fibers and while this isn't necessarily a problem, it is important to be sure of what you are paying for.

• Buy the best quality that you can afford! All sheets vary in quality depending on the thread count. The higher the thread count the more dense and solid the fabric is. Many fine and luxury sheets have a high thread count and this is a good way to compare products. Good quality sheets will be longer lasting and this means that they can be a good investment.

• It is also important to weigh up the carbon footprint of bamboo sheets. While the fiber is from a renewable resource, it has also traveled thousands of miles to its end destination. People who are interested in the effects of different purchasing patterns on the environment, may wish to compare the carbon footprint of bamboo sheets with those of home grown cotton sheets.

There are plenty of excellent websites that offer more information about bamboo sheets as well as offering an exciting range in their online stores. These include:

• Sleep Bamboo
• Clean Air Gardening
• Brookstone

Bamboo sheets are an interesting innovation and one that balances environmental issues with comfort.

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