Get a Greener Home With the Best Bamboo Pillows

Cotton, wool, and silk are all popular natural fabrics that have a variety of qualities, including heat retention, breathability, texture, and appearance. Bamboo is one of the latest additions to the natural fabrics family, especially for bedding, linen, and clothing. In terms of sustainable raw material production, the benefits of bamboo far outweigh any of the other options. Additionally, it can contribute to the improved comfort and health of you and your family.

Remarkable Features of a Bamboo Pillow

Naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial

Bamboo naturally resists the growth of bacteria, which helps it stay clean and hygienic. Additionally, bamboo plantations can grow fairly successfully without chemical interference and pesticides, meaning the fibers aren’t chemical-infused to start with. 

Lightweight

The lightness of bamboo fabric makes it ideal for clothing and linen. Bamboo fibers are also naturally anti-cling and anti-static.

Breathable and thermoregulating

The wonderful thing about bamboo pillows is that the fabric is breathable. This means body heat can escape rather than build up during the night. The breathable fabric ensures you stay more comfortable and, therefore, sleep better. Since they are thermoregulating, bamboo pillows are also suitable for colder months.

Moisture wicking

Since the bamboo fabric is breathable, it also naturally wicks away moisture and dries quickly. As such, bamboo pillows are ideal for people who suffer from night sweats or even just those who tend to sleep hot and feel a little sticky.

Although cotton is also moisture-wicking, it doesn’t dry as quickly, leaving you sleeping on a damp pillow. Quick-drying bamboo pillows or pillowcases also make laundry much easier.

Skin-friendly

Since pillows come in direct contact with our skin it’s important to choose skin-friendly materials, especially if you have sensitive skin. Bamboo is grown without pesticides and bamboo linen is made without chemical processing, which alone makes it gentler on the skin than many other fabrics. 

One reason rashes or skin irritation occurs is moisture and dampness. The moisture-wicking nature of bamboo fabric prevents this, further making it the ideal skin-friendly pillow.

Softness

Depending on how it is manufactured, bamboo fabric has a similar softness to silk. Natural bamboo pillow fibers without chemical treatments are smooth, round, and don’t have any rough edges.

Durable

Bamboo is more wrinkle-resistant and less likely to shrink in the wash than cotton. It is incredibly durable and can last many years; however, you need to ensure you follow the manufacturer’s care and cleaning instructions for your bamboo pillow. Since the material is so durable, this also means bamboo pillows don’t have to be replaced as often, resulting in less waste.

Bamboo is sustainable

Bamboo is a remarkable plant since it thrives in soils that many other plants won’t survive in and grows back quickly without needing pesticides or much water. Bamboo also absorbs much more carbon dioxide than many other trees and produces more fresh oxygen. Growing bamboo can help combat deforestation and soil erosion.

Cotton, although it also has desirable properties as a fabric, requires large quantities of water, pesticides, and labor.

Not All Bamboo Fabrics Are Equal: What You Need To Know

If you want to benefit from the low-chemical, natural properties of bamboo pillows, it’s important to check whether the material is mechanically or chemically processed. Different manufacturing methods have varying levels of environmental impact.

Bamboo linen is made by mechanical processing and is the most natural, environmentally friendly, and chemical-free form of the fabric. It is highly durable, but also pricey. High thread count bamboo linen is soft, while lower quality types may have a rougher texture.

Chemical processing, on the other hand, is used to make bamboo-based rayon or viscose. This process uses strong chemicals (which are harmful to the environment and the workers) to break down the stalks. What makes this semi-synthetic bamboo rayon material popular for pillows is that it is both affordable and soft.

Lyocell bamboo is made with a similar chemical process, but it uses less harmful chemicals. If natural bamboo pillows are not within your budget, lyocell is a good middle ground.

Bamboo pillow covers can also be made from bamboo woven together with other fabric types. This helps to maintain the desirable features of bamboo while improving its softness and making it more affordable.

Other Features To Consider

Now that you know what to look for in bamboo fabric, there are a few other features you need to consider when choosing your bamboo pillow.

Fill

Most bamboo pillows come with memory foam fill, but some can also have a bamboo fiber fill or polyester fill. While natural bamboo fiber fill is the most eco-friendly, offers good temperature regulation, and is antimicrobial, it will also be the most expensive.

Memory foam fill can be either solid memory foam or shredded. Solid memory foam offers the best support, but is not as breathable as other fill fibers. Shredded foam, however, can also be blended with other fabrics.

Polyester fill is lightweight, easy to wash, and affordable, but it is a synthetic fiber. Although soft, it is a type of plastic that is generally derived from petroleum. 

Loft

The most suitable pillow height for you will depend on your sleeping position. Side sleepers usually need higher pillows to fill the gap between their head and shoulders. Stomach sleepers require a much lower loft and possibly softer pillow. Meanwhile, back sleepers fall somewhere in the middle. Look for a pillow with an adjustable loft where you can add or remove filling to create the height most comfortable for you.

Temperature regulation

While a bamboo pillow cover is fantastic for temperature regulation, it might not be as effective when paired with a solid memory foam inner. Solid memory foam tends to trap heat and has poor heat regulation qualities. 

Shredded memory foam is more breathable. You do, however, get memory foam pillows with gel inserts to improve heat dissipation and keep you cool while you rest. 

Aside from memory foam options, polyester, latex, and down are good temperature-regulating fillings.