Eucalyptus vs bamboo sheets: which is better?

Choosing new bedding is a big decision. After all, we spend about a third of our lives in bed and once you’ve picked your sheets, duvet cover, and pillowcases, you’ll ideally have them for years to come. 

With this in mind, one of your main contemplations should be material quality and luxuriousness, with eucalyptus silk and bamboo likely sitting somewhere near the top of your list. But once you’ve whittled your choices down to eucalyptus vs bamboo sheets, what next?

In this article, we’ve outlined the pros and cons of each high-quality textile, as well as how they stack up against other common fabrics and how to come to a final decision.  

What are eucalyptus sheets?

Eucalyptus silk bedding is manufactured from the fast-growing and sustainable eucalyptus tree, a plant that’s naturally occurring across Australia, Africa, Europe, and North America. While eucalyptus might not necessarily be the first textile that comes to mind when you think ‘bedding’, it’s quickly becoming a dominant favourite thanks to its long string of luxurious and ethical advantages (we’ve outlined the main benefits of eucalyptus below!). 

When buying eucalyptus silk, it’s worth mentioning that you might also see the term ‘Tencel’. Don’t worry, though, they’re not different products you’ve got to choose between. In fact, the two are typically used interchangeably, with Tencel actually being a common brand of eucalyptus material.

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Benefits of eucalyptus sheets

As highlighted above, there are plenty of reasons to buy eucalyptus bedding, from its environmentally friendly production process to the long-lasting and hard-wearing luxury you’re bound to enjoy. 

Eco-manufacturing

We’ve already mentioned the renewable nature of eucalyptus, but what you may not realise is just how eco-friendly the Tencel bedding manufacturing process is. Incredibly, eucalyptus silk bedding actually requires roughly 95% less water and 30% less energy to make than cotton equivalents, while the closed loop operation means that the water and chemicals that are required are reused over and over again.  

Breathability 

Eucalyptus silk is naturally breathable, temperature regulating, and moisture wicking, meaning air can effortlessly flow through the fibres. Each of these properties combine to ensure you enjoy a cool, dry, and comfortable night’s sleep, whether it’s the deepest depths of winter or the height of summer. 

Durability

While it might come with a costlier price tag than some common alternatives, there’s no denying that eucalyptus silk bedding is a worthy investment, with sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases expected to last for years to come – especially if your look after your bedding correctly and carefully! In fact, Tencel is more resistant to everyday wear and tear than the likes of cotton and linen. 

Silkiness

It’s in the name, but we really couldn’t include a list of eucalyptus silk benefits without touching on just how luxuriously soft it is to touch. A genuine silk alternative, with bedding as smooth as the real thing, Tencel gives you the ultimate experience in luxury comfort each time you slip into bed. And even better: eucalyptus silk gets softer with each wash, so it’ll get better and better as the years go on! 

Naturally hypoallergenic

Perhaps one of the more practical benefits of eucalyptus silk and Tencel is its naturally hypoallergenic properties, which prevent the build up of dust, mites, and mould. The absence of these microscopic pests and allergens not only prevents everyday sneezing, spluttering, and coughing, but it can also benefit anyone who suffers from more serious skin and respiratory conditions such as asthma and eczema. 

Appearance

Finally, one of the strongest selling points of eucalyptus silk is the high-quality finish it can give your bedroom. A practically wrinkle-resistant textile, Tencel sheets look consistently pristine, and your duvet cover will elegantly and effortlessly drape over the sides of your mattress. 

What are the drawbacks of eucalyptus sheets

While the long list of pros can be persuasive, it’s important to also highlight the main drawback of eucalyptus silk – it’s cost. Before investing in any bedding, one of the first considerations you should make is your budget, and how much you’re able to spend. While it’s true that eucalyptus silk sheets can be a cost-effective long-term investment, they can sometimes come in at the upper end of the market at the point of sale. 

What are bamboo sheets?

Traditionally found across South Asia, including China, India, and Pakistan – though, now also available in Europe and America – bamboo is a low-maintenance, fast-growing plant that’s quickly become a popular resource for luxury bedding. 

However, not all bamboo bedding is the same, with the three main types, rayon, lyocell, and linen hosting very different properties. 

Of the three, linen and lyocell bamboo bedding are the most eco-friendly, with the production process having minimal-to-no environmentally impact. On the other hand, the rayon bamboo manufacturing process in known to pollute habitats and negatively impact local air quality, while the chemicals used mean the fabric takes longer to biodegrade. 

Benefits of bamboo sheets

Interestingly, there are many similarities between bamboo and eucalyptus bedding, with each sourced from sustainable plants and boasting numerous positive properties – though, of course, there are plenty of subtle differences, which we’ll go into a little further down. To give you the full picture, we’ve broken down the benefits of bamboo sheets below. 

Extremely fast growing

Something we’ve already touched upon briefly: bamboo is exceptionally fast-growing and can sometimes even regenerate at a rate of over an inch an hour. This makes bamboo the ideal candidate for renewable, eco-friendly bedding. Not only is it luxuriously soft, but you can rest easy knowing you’re not buying a product that’s come at the cost of slow-growing habitats. 

However, one thing to bear in mind is that bamboo’s fast-growing and invasive nature can come at the expense of other, native plants. So, when looking for bamboo bedding, we’d suggest you keep an eye out for brands who only grow bamboo on otherwise non-arable land.  

Biodegradable

Just as it grows quickly at source, bamboo bedding will also degrade with significant speed, meaning you can discard your old sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases without any conscientious concerns. Once submerged in soil, bamboo bedding will typically take about a six months-year to biodegrade.

Breathable

Just like eucalyptus silk, bamboo bedding is exceptionally breathable and offers efficient temperature regulation, making it a popular choice among shoppers hoping to enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep without worrying about night sweats and overheating – even in the hottest heights of summer. 

Hypoallergenic

One of the key factors to consider when buying new bedding is the impact it’ll have on your sleeping experience, so it’s worth investing in quality sheets that aid comfort. Bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic, so, if you’re affected by dust, mites, pet dander, and common allergens, you should be able to enjoy a full night’s rest without suffering from sniffling and sneezing. 

Bamboo is also considered to be a very hygienic bedding, thanks to its anti-bacterial properties. This essentially means the bamboo is an inhospitable breeding environment for bacteria and fungi. 

Stain resistant 

Bamboo fabrics and textiles are great at keeping their colour, and won’t easily stain – no matter how much moisture’s absorbed. This should be good news for anyone prone to night sweats or spillages, or if you’re buying bedding for accident-prone babies and children. 

Non-pilling 

Finally, a very practical benefit of bamboo bedding is that it doesn’t often pill. This refers to the eventual breaking and tangling of the bedding fibres, culminating in small, fuzzy, abrasive balls on the surface. Instead, just like eucalyptus silk, bamboo bedding will get softer with each wash.

What are the drawbacks of bamboo sheets

It’s something we’ve referenced above, but the main drawback of bamboo vs eucalyptus bedding is the rayon manufacturing process. While it delivers a sumptuously soft product, the process is known to pollute local environments and damage waterways. 

Of course, this doesn’t represent all bamboo products, and you can get ethically-manufactured sheets, so keep an eye out for reliable, accredited brands who sell sustainable, renewable, and earth-conscious bedding.

Eucalyptus and bamboo sheets vs other materials

Before we delve into which fabric we’d suggest choosing between eucalyptus vs bamboo sheets, it’s important to acknowledge how the two differ from other popular bedding types. 

For instance, when compared to common cotton, both eucalyptus and bamboo are softer and more luxurious – Egyptian cotton is the only variation that even comes close. As talked about above, eucalyptus also requires an astonishing 95% less water and 30% less energy than cotton to produce 

One thing you’ll likely notice when choosing new bedding, though, is that bamboo and eucalyptus are typically more expensive than your average sheets. However, when you consider durability, longevity, and luxury, they’re almost-always a safe bet and a solid long-term investment. We might be biased, but they’re the only way to go if you want quality!

Bamboo vs eucalyptus sheets: which one wins?

Ultimately, if you’ve compared each bedding fabric and come down to a final decision between eucalyptus and bamboo, you’re in a pretty strong position. 

In the end, you can’t really go wrong with either, with each offering lifelong luxury, temperature regulation, and breathability, as well as a sustainable production process. Of course, if you’re still really stuck, it helps to know the key differences between eucalyptus vs bamboo sheets: 

• Chemicals: While there’s plenty of bamboo bedding that’s manufactured using a closed-loop system, the majority is ‘rayon bamboo’, which means chemicals will filter into the local environments and cause damage to the various habitats. In contrast, eucalyptus bedding is typically made using the closed-loop system that reuses rather than discards. 
• Maintenance: There’s little between eucalyptus vs bamboo sheets when it comes to care and maintenance, with each relatively simple to look after if you wash and dry on cold settings. However, looking at the finer details, eucalyptus silk won’t typically wrinkle as much, meaning you don’t need to worry about ironing. 

With the above two points in mind, we’d suggest the final vote leans slightly in favour of eucalyptus. But don’t just take our word for it; spend the time researching each and choosing new bedding that suits your lifestyle, aesthetic, and budget!

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Are bamboo or eucalyptus sheets cooler?

The difference between eucalyptus vs bamboo sheets when it comes to coolness is extremely small, and, in truth, you’d barely notice. However, eucalyptus silk will often take the edge, boasting the same cool-to-touch properties as real silk. 

Are eucalyptus sheets softer than bamboo?

There’s little to split eucalyptus vs bamboo sheets when it comes to comfort, with each offering a cosy night’s sleep. However, comparing the two, eucalyptus silk will often have a slightly more luxurious feel, while bamboo will usually be a little softer to touch. 

There’s much to consider when choosing new bedding, especially when picking between eucalyptus vs bamboo, when the differences are particularly subtle.