Bamboo is a fast-growing perennial grass that has been cultivated for more than 2,000 years. It is the fastest-growing plant in the world and also the most sustainable natural resource for pulp and timber. Bamboo sheets are one of the newest things you can buy that are made from bamboo. They are an all-natural alternative to cotton when it comes to bedding. Here is a simple guide on how bamboo sheets are made; a complete process from the fields to your bedroom.
A complete process of how bamboo sheets are made
Manufacturing bamboo sheets involves several steps. The first step is harvesting the raw material, which takes place in Bamboo fields. Although bamboo is considered native to China, it can be grown all over the world, making it a perfect raw material for any manufacturer.
Once harvested, the bamboo is then cut into small pieces. The bamboo is dried, and the outer bark or skin is removed. This leaves just the inner core of the plant which contains a great deal of cellulose. Now it goes through a shredder that turns it into the fiber, where it is then spun into yarn on spindles that look like oversized versions of those old-fashioned wooden sewing spools.
The yarns are woven into fabrics which include fabrics in t-shirt, sheeting, or complete duvet covers. Manufacturers particularly love bamboo for its antimicrobial properties. These qualities are imparted from the chemicals that prevent the rotting of the bamboo plant, which makes it durable against constant exposure to moisture (or water).
Bamboo sheets are usually dyed after being sized since sizing helps preserve many of its natural qualities like thermal properties, durability, water-repellency, etc. However, this dyeing process is different from the conventional dying processes. Instead of using a large vat of water and harmful, synthetic colors, natural coloring agents are directly applied to the bamboo sheets.
This gives each individual piece its own color instead of requiring them to be dyed together in one container and also helps minimize any environmental pollution. It also means that they have little impact on rivers or other bodies of water since water usage is at a minimum throughout the process.
The last step before the product reaches you is packaging and shipping the sheets. The final product may look like ordinary cotton sheets when they reach your door or bed but as we’ve just seen, there’s way more to these than meets the eye.
Benefits of using bamboo as compared to other options
Bamboo sheets are an all-natural alternative to cotton. They are made from a fast-growing renewable and sustainable resource, which means that they’re good for not only your bedroom but also the environment.
Bamboo content in sheets for many manufacturers is around 70%. However, the top companies use almost 100% bamboo content in their sheets, making them one of the most environmentally friendly bedding options available. Using bamboo sheets also ensures that your bedding remains chemical-free; therefore there’s nothing harmful when it comes into contact with your body and this keeps allergies at bay.
Available sizes and colors
Bamboo sheets come in a variety of sizes and colors. The smallest sheets are single bed sets while the largest is a California king-sized set, which comfortably fits one or two mattresses. They also come in different colors like natural bamboo, light brown, gray/white, purple/pink, etc. In fact, they can even be made into custom designs for your specific requirements; whether it’s for an event, or just as a gift.
Where to buy bamboo sheets
Bamboo sheets are available in online stores across the globe. You can also purchase them at high-end retail stores that sell a wide range of bedding products like comforters, mattresses, duvets, etc.
Although bamboo sheets are almost as economical as other bedsheets in the market, some of the more premium bamboo sheets (containing 100% bamboo content) may be on the higher side when it comes to pricing. But experts say that their durability and long lifespan more than makeup for the extra money you spend on them.
Bamboo sheets are soft, breathable, hypoallergenic, resistant to dust mites and bedbugs, thermal regulating, and environmentally friendly. Given all these benefits, it becomes easier to justify spending that little bit extra on bamboo sheets. Bamboo’s anti-bacterial properties also mean that the sheets are going to last longer and remain sterile, while their soft texture means that even your most sensitive skin can take pleasure in sleeping on this unique bedding alternative.
Conclusion
I hope that this article has helped you get a better understanding of how bamboo sheets are made and how they can be an environmentally friendly alternative to cotton sheets. Now that you have this knowledge, why not use it to find a 100% bamboo sheet set for yourself and experience the difference!