Bamboo vs Cotton Sheets in Australia: An Honest Comparison | Eastwind
The short answer
For most Australian sleepers, 100% bamboo sheets are the better choice if you run hot, have sensitive skin or want a smooth, silky feel. Cotton is the better choice if you love a crisp, cool-to-the-touch hotel feel, wash everything hot, or want the lowest price per set.
The biggest mistake is buying a "bamboo" sheet that is really a bamboo and polyester blend. Polyester holds heat, so a blend can sleep warmer than plain cotton. Always check the label says 100% bamboo.
Bamboo vs cotton at a glance
|
|
100% bamboo (sateen weave) |
Cotton (percale or sateen) |
|---|---|---|
|
Feel |
Silky, smooth, drapes softly |
Crisp (percale) or smooth (sateen), feels firmer |
|
Hot nights |
Breathable and moisture-wicking, so you stay drier |
Percale breathes well; heavier sateen can trap heat |
|
Sensitive skin |
Very smooth fibre, less friction |
Fine for most people; rougher weaves can irritate |
|
Washing |
Cold or 30°C gentle cycle, line dry in shade, no softener |
Tough: hot washes and dryers are fine |
|
Wrinkles |
Relaxed, soft creases |
Percale wrinkles more |
|
Lifespan |
Years with gentle care; harsh washing shortens it |
Very durable, softens over time |
|
Price (Queen set) |
Higher. Eastwind from $229 |
Wide range, from budget to luxury |
|
Best for |
Hot sleepers, night sweats, sensitive skin, silky-feel lovers |
Crisp-sheet lovers, hot-wash households, tight budgets |
Which is cooler for Australian summers?
Bamboo, for most people. Bamboo fibre pulls moisture away from your skin and lets air move through the weave, so humid Queensland and NSW nights feel less sticky. Our 100% bamboo sheets use a 400 thread count sateen weave, which feels cool to the touch without the stiffness of a crisp cotton.
Cotton percale is the exception. Its loose, matte weave breathes well, and some hot sleepers love it. Heavy cotton sateen and anything with polyester in it tend to hold heat.
Which feels softer?
Bamboo feels silkier from the first night. Cotton starts firmer and softens with washing. Neither is "better": it comes down to whether you like silky or crisp. Our customers often describe bamboo as "like liquid silk".
Which lasts longer?
Cotton handles rough treatment better. Bamboo lasts for years when you treat it gently: wash cold or at 30°C on a gentle cycle, keep it away from towels and zips, skip the fabric softener and line dry in the shade. One customer, Lorraine, has had the same Queen set on her bed every day for two and a half years with no pilling.
If your household washes everything hot and tumble dries, cotton will suit you better.
Why do bamboo sheets cost more?
A genuine 100% bamboo sateen sheet takes more fibre and a denser weave than a basic cotton set. Cheap "bamboo" sets often keep the price down by blending in polyester. A Queen Eastwind sheet set is $229 and includes a fitted sheet with extra-deep pockets, a flat sheet and two pillowcases.
100% bamboo vs bamboo blend: what to check
- The label. It should say 100% bamboo (often listed as bamboo viscose or lyocell). "Bamboo blend" or "bamboo touch" usually means polyester or cotton is mixed in.
- Certification. Look for OEKO-TEX, which tests the finished fabric for harmful substances. Eastwind's bamboo bedding is OEKO-TEX certified.
- The weave. Sateen gives the silky drape bamboo is known for.
- Who stands behind it. Eastwind is family-owned, ships weekdays from Brisbane and has sold bamboo bedding to Australians since 2013.
So which should you choose?
Choose cotton if you love crisp sheets, wash hot or want the cheapest set. Choose 100% bamboo if you sleep hot, wake up sticky, have sensitive skin or simply want the softest bed you've slept in.
If you go bamboo, build your bed in layers you can change with the season: sheets underneath, then a quilt cover set over a light doona for cooler months, or a quilted coverlet set on its own for summer.
Choose your essentials: Mix & Match any 2 sets, save 25%
Pick any two sets (sheet sets, quilt cover sets and coverlet sets, Royal Collection included) and save 25%. Prices below are full price and offer price for plain colours.
|
Your pair |
Queen |
King |
|---|---|---|
|
Sheet set + quilt cover set |
$458, now $343.50 |
$478, now $358.50 |
|
Sheet set + quilted coverlet set |
$508, now $381 |
$538, now $403.50 |
|
Royal Collection sheet set + coverlet set |
$548, now $411 |
$588, now $441 |
|
Two sheet sets |
$458, now $343.50 |
$478, now $358.50 |
Free standard shipping Australia-wide on orders over $280, so every pair above ships free. Shop the Mix & Match range.
Frequently asked questions
Are bamboo sheets good for hot sleepers?
Yes. 100% bamboo breathes and wicks moisture, so you stay drier through warm, humid nights. Avoid blends with polyester, which hold heat.
Do bamboo sheets pill?
Good 100% bamboo sateen shouldn't pill with gentle care. Pilling usually comes from washing with towels or zips, hot water or fabric softener.
Can I put bamboo sheets in the dryer?
Line drying in the shade is best. If you must, use a low or cool setting. Don't tumble dry the quilted coverlet, because it can shrink.
Are bamboo sheets good for sensitive skin?
Many people with sensitive skin find bamboo gentler because the fibre is very smooth. Eastwind's bedding is OEKO-TEX certified, meaning the fabric is tested for harmful substances. Many customers tell us how comfortable they are with their sensitives and allergies.
Will bamboo sheets fit a deep mattress?
Eastwind fitted sheets have extra-deep pockets for pillow-top mattresses. The Royal Collection fitted sheet has a 43cm wall and elastic corner straps.
What's the difference between a coverlet and a quilt cover?
A coverlet is a light, pre-quilted top layer you use on its own. A quilt cover needs a doona inside it. Hot sleepers often use a coverlet instead of a doona from spring to autumn.
Do you ship to New Zealand?
Yes. Eastwind ships weekdays from Brisbane across Australia and to New Zealand.