Cooler than polyester satin and most cotton, yes, because it breathes and moves moisture away from skin. Not magic, and not every "bamboo" fabric is the same.
Why bamboo feels cool
Bamboo fabric is usually a viscose or rayon made from bamboo pulp. The fibre is smooth and the weave is open, so air moves through it and sweat moves out of it. That's the whole story. It feels cool against skin in summer and, because it holds a little warmth, it isn't cold in winter either.
How it compares
- Bamboo vs satin. Our satin is polyester. It looks beautiful and washes well, but it doesn't breathe like bamboo. For hot sleepers, bamboo wins.
- Bamboo vs cotton. Cotton breathes but holds moisture. Bamboo dries faster, so it feels less clammy at 3am.
- Bamboo vs Tencel. Very similar. Tencel is made from wood pulp in a closed-loop process. Both are soft, cool and drape well. If you're choosing between our Mila Bamboo and Petra Tencel, go by colour and cut; the feel is close.
Claims to be careful with
"Antibacterial" and "hypoallergenic" are often said about bamboo. The evidence is mixed once the fibre has been processed into fabric, so I don't make those claims. What I can say is that ours is OEKO-TEX certified, meaning it's tested free from harmful chemicals.
Who should buy bamboo
Hot sleepers. Anyone in Queensland from November to March. New mums, because it's soft and washes easily. And anyone who has found satin too slippery in bed.
How to wash it
Cold gentle wash, line dry in shade, no tumble dryer. Bamboo softens with washing rather than wearing out.
Quick answers
Is bamboo sleepwear good for winter?
Yes, in long sets. It's not as warm as fleece, but it isn't cold, and it stops you overheating under a doona.
Is bamboo sleepwear sustainable?
Bamboo grows fast with little water, but turning it into fabric uses chemicals. Ours is OEKO-TEX certified. We don't claim it's perfect.
Does bamboo shrink?
A little in the first cold wash, which is why we size it to allow for that. Don't tumble dry it.
Our bamboo and Tencel range
Everything we make in bamboo and Tencel, including the children's sets that match the adult ones.
Mila Bamboo Kids Pyjama Set — children's bamboo pyjama set in pink, matching the adult Mila set.
Amelie Bamboo Kids Pyjama Set — children's bamboo pyjama set in a pink floral print.
Eva Short Tencel Pyjama Set — short Tencel pyjama set in eggshell blue with white piping.
Ultimate Cosy Robe — warm bamboo robe in blush.
Safari Linen Set — linen pyjama set in white, the coolest fabric we make.
Questions? Message our Style Concierge team or tag us on Instagram @homebodii.
— Ingrid Bonnor, Founder, Homebodii. Gold Coast, Australia.
