Your bed sheets are absolutely crucial to a good night’s sleep, and on average they should be replaced every 2-3 years. If you’re looking to replace your bedding there are lots of factors to consider to find the best fit for you. 

Once you start researching options, you will inevitably come across microfiber and bamboo as two promising choices, and there are lots of reasons that these two are front runners. For example, both viscose from bamboo and microfiber are hypoallergenic, temperature regulating, breathable and incredibly soft. In reality, you can’t go wrong - but below we have compiled a list of the key differences:

Durability

Microfiber threads are TINY; they’re smaller in diameter than a human hair and 1/10th the size of a strand of silk. This is what makes the fabric so soft, but it also increases the likelihood of wear and tear on the products. Viscose from bamboo coming from a high-quality company is guaranteed not to pill and usually uses better yarns and weaving techniques than microfiber. This means your viscose from bamboo sheets will be super soft, but still maintain that “new sheets” feeling even after extended use. Viscose from bamboo is also much less prone to wrinkling, shrinkage and pilling.

Product Care

Both fabrics are machine washable, and for the most part easy to care for. Viscose from bamboo needs to tumble dry on a low setting or air-dry for best results. Microfiber can also go through the dryer, however it is prone to static electricity and wears out quicker by washing. Both fabrics are stain resistant and easy to wash if you follow the recommended care instructions, so you shouldn’t have to worry either way. 

Environmental Impact 

Viscose from Bamboo definitely wins here. The bamboo tree is not the same as viscose. So there cannot be an environmentally claim made here on the viscose finished product. However, if the viscose is derived from the bamboo plant it should be studied and compared to cotton in our opinion because basic cotton farming is much harsher on the environment than bamboo plant farming. Bamboo the plant (not the viscose) resource is very renewable and framing it generates a far smaller carbon footprint than microfiber production.

Price

Microfiber sheets will come at a much lower price point, so you can get a luxurious night’s sleep at a fraction of the cost. However, due to the decreased durability, you may find yourself replacing microfiber sheets fairly regularly. Viscose from bamboo sheets are more of an investment, but the quality is guaranteed for much longer. At Cozy Earth we’re so confident that the product will last that we offer a 10 year warranty on our viscose from bamboo sheet sets!

Be careful! There are lots of imitation "bamboo sheets" out there that leave out the important "viscose" part and even include microfiber in them. This is made worse since microfiber sheets are easier and less expensive to produce than viscose from bamboo. Make sure the product is labeled Bamboo Rayon or Viscose from bamboo to guarantee you are getting what you pay for. If you find a deal that seems too good to be true, it probably is.

When it comes down to it, both microfiber and bamboo are great choices when it’s time to replace your sheets! If you decide bamboo is the best option for you, we hope you check out Cozy Earth’s Viscose from Bamboo Sheets, you won't regret it!