When you run hot at night, it’s hard to find sheets that won’t leave you overheated and sweaty. Perhaps you’ve heard that bamboo bed sheets keep you cool and combat night sweats, but are these rumours true? Are bamboo sheets actually cooling, or are they just another marketing-driven fad?
We’re happy to report that bamboo fabric really does keep you cool at night, thanks to its moisture-wicking properties and excellent airflow. It’s perfect for anyone who’s tired of lying awake in a bed that feels like an oven.
So does that mean all bamboo sheets are cooling?
Not all bamboo bedding performs the same when it comes to temperature regulation. Factors such as weave density and fibre blends can influence breathability and heat release. But not to worry, we’ll help you find the best bamboo sheets to fend off your night sweats and drift into cooler, more comfortable sleep.
At a glance:
How Do We Know So Much About Bamboo?
Cooling power was a top priority when we designed our own bamboo sheets. We scoured the globe for suppliers who could provide the strongest, lightest, most breathable bamboo fabric possible. That's why we can help you understand which bamboo sheets are cooling and which ones will leave you sweating. If you’re in a hurry, you can get the best cooling bamboo sheets right here on our site.
Twin sheet sets are available in 2 or 3 piece options depending on whether you want a top sheet, while Full, Queen, and King sheet sets include a fitted sheet and two pillowcases, with 3 or 4 piece options based on your preference for a top sheet. They're made of breathable, lightweight, moisture-wicking bamboo viscose, and their specialized finish keeps them continuously cool throughout the night.
Cooling Sheets = Better Sleep
We don't have to tell you how hard it is to drift off when you feel like you’re roasting. But did you know that high temperatures can disrupt your rest even after you’ve fallen asleep? It’s true!
Excessive nighttime heat can interrupt the parts of your nocturnal cycle that help the body repair damage, store memories, and refresh its immune system. So cooling down in bed isn’t just about your comfort. It’s also critical for healthy, restful sleep.
To reduce any overheating effects, many companies in the sleep industry have designed cooling sheets to make life easier for hot sleepers. The most effective ones start with the right fabric, and when it comes to staying cool and fresh all night, Hush’s Iced Cooling Sheets set the standard.
How Do Bamboo Sheets Keep You Cool?
Bamboo sheets are typically made of bamboo viscose, a type of natural fibre extracted from bamboo wood pulp, which is then spun into fine threads. Sheets made of bamboo viscose fibres are better for hot sleepers in several ways:
Bamboo Sheets Are Naturally Breathable
The best cooling sheets allow for maximum airflow, so your body heat can dissipate. When body heat can’t escape, you end up trapped in a bubble of hot air. Bamboo fibres are full of tiny pores that let that hot air escape naturally.
Most fabrics derived from natural materials are at least a little bit porous. That's why linen and cotton sheets have been the go-to choices for hot sleepers for centuries. However, bamboo viscose sheets contain more of those tiny openings, giving them superior breathability compared to old-fashioned cotton and linen.
Bamboo Sheets Absorb Sweat
The same small pores in bamboo fibres also enable them to soak up lots of fluid. They'll absorb any sweat that forms on your body, keeping you dry and comfortable, even in the summer. Bamboo sheets are roughly 40% more absorbent than cotton, which is why they're some of the best sheets for night sweats.
This moisture-wicking ability isn't just good for preventing you from waking up in a puddle. It also helps keep you cool throughout the night.
You’ve probably noticed you feel hotter when the weather is humid. That's because the moisture in the air blocks sweat evaporation, the natural mechanism for lowering your body temperature.
The same thing happens when your sheets are saturated with sweat. Since bamboo sheets can absorb liquid so effectively, they help you shed excess heat by keeping you dry.
Bamboo Sheets Are Lightweight
You might be surprised to learn that bamboo is among the softest natural fibres on earth. Because the individual threads are so much longer, finer, and smoother than other fibres, you don't need to weave them as tightly to match the softness of other natural materials. This is why bamboo sheets with a thread count of 300 often feel softer than luxurious Egyptian cotton with much higher advertised thread counts.
Achieving the same softness with fewer fibres offers huge benefits for heat management. Since bamboo bedding doesn't have to be thick and heavy to feel comfortable, it can be made with a much more porous, lightweight weave, leaving more room between the fibres for airflow. You get the luxurious feel of thick sheets without the stifling heat.
Bamboo vs. Other Cooling Fabrics
How does bamboo compare with other materials for bed sheets? Let's look at some other common types of cooling sheets and see how they measure up.
Bamboo vs. Linen
Compared to bamboo, linen sheets are slightly more absorbent but slightly less breathable. Linen also has a rougher texture than bamboo viscose, and although it gets softer with repeated washing, it doesn’t quite match the silky-smooth feel of bamboo viscose.
On the plus side, there's a reason summer clothing is often made of linen. It's a very loose and absorbent fabric that releases hot air easily. Linen is often more durable than average bamboo sheets. It's possible, however, to make long-lasting bamboo bedding by sourcing only the strongest fibres (like Hush does).
Bamboo vs. Cotton
Compared to cotton, bamboo viscose can absorb much more water before getting saturated. Cotton has a bad reputation when it comes to cooling, and for good reason.
Most people know that you shouldn't wear cotton clothing when exercising, because it quickly gets soaked with sweat and clings to your skin.
However, that doesn't mean it's impossible to make cooling cotton sheets. Long staple varieties like Supima or Egyptian cotton allow for soft, lightweight weaves that provide a decent amount of breathability.
If cooling is a priority, look for sheets made with long staple cotton in a percale weave. These are the most breathable cotton sheets.
Bamboo vs. Tencel
Tencel sheets only differ in a few ways from bamboo viscose. The main distinction is the manufacturing process. Tencel is made with a closed-loop technique that recycles the water and chemicals used to extract the natural fibres. For this reason, many people consider it more eco-friendly.
Note that you can reduce the ecological impact of viscose production by responsibly handling the chemicals involved. Hush makes sure to source our fabric from ethical and environmentally conscientious suppliers.
Bamboo vs. Synthetic Materials
Bed sheets made from fabrics like polyester, microfibre, and nylon rely on inorganic substances such as coal and petroleum instead of renewable resources, i.e. bamboo. These fabrics are more dense, so they trap heat against your body.
However, similar to bamboo sheets, they're hydrophobic, meaning they wick sweat away from your skin. Synthetic sheets are also arguably better at helping get rid of sweat than bamboo, but not necessarily as good at keeping you cool.
If you have a problem with cold sweats at night, synthetic materials could be a good option for bedding. Otherwise, you’re probably safer sticking with bamboo.
Are Bamboo Sheets Over-Hyped?
Some online sources question whether bamboo’s benefits are sometimes overstated, and in a few cases, they’re right to ask. When bamboo bedding first entered the market, early marketing claims weren’t always backed by long-term research.
For example, while bamboo wood naturally contains antibacterial properties, the main reason bamboo sheets can help reduce bacterial or fungal growth is their ability to stay dry and prevent moisture buildup.
While bamboo is an impressively sustainable crop, the process of turning raw bamboo into fabric can involve chemical treatment. The good news is that there are manufacturers today adopting cleaner, more closed-loop production methods to minimize environmental impact.
At Hush, we take care to purchase only ethically-made bamboo viscose. Our sheets are also OEKO-TEX certified, meaning they’re free of harmful chemicals.
It’s worth noting that conversations around bamboo bedding can sometimes overlook the full picture. For instance, some sources suggest bamboo viscose isn’t really moisture-wicking or quick-drying, but studies have shown the opposite. Bamboo fabric actually sheds moisture faster than cotton. If it ever feels slower to dry, that’s because it can absorb up to 40% more moisture before feeling damp.
Similarly, softness can vary between fabrics depending on the weave and fibre quality, but bamboo sheets are generally smoother and silkier than cotton sheets of a comparable thread count.
We'll put it this way: are the benefits of bamboo sheets sometimes over exaggerated? Yes.
But are bamboo sheets cooling, moisture-wicking, lightweight, and soft compared to other materials? Also yes.
Choosing the Best Bamboo Cooling Sheet
When shopping for cooling bamboo sheets, it’s worth checking that the sheets are made from pure bamboo rather than blended fabrics like microfibre or polyester. Reading customer reviews can also help you gauge quality. Well-made bamboo sheets should feel luxuriously soft and remain durable wash after wash.
At Hush, our bamboo sheets are crafted from high-quality, naturally breathable bamboo viscose. Our proprietary Iced finish gives them a refreshingly frosty to the touch feel that sets them apart. If they’re not the coolest sheets you’ve ever slept in, you can return them within 60 days of purchase, so give them a try today!
