It is like a switch. One day the weather is comfortable and the next it is humid. Based on how much warmer it feels, it looks like we have reached the beginning of the summer season. One of the downsides of this time of year is how difficult it can be to get a decent night’s sleep. A way to ease that problem is to invest in some bamboo sheets. 

Bamboo linens have been around for a while but over the last few years have become more popular. That is because bamboo is an eco-friendly material. It grows rapidly. Unlike so many other materials, bamboo is a sustainable resource.

If the thought of bamboo makes you wonder how it could be something to sleep on, worry not. Organic bamboo sheets are incredibly soft and silky smooth. They are softer than cotton! They are also more breathable than cotton. Excess heat is not trapped under your covers. That means that you stay cool and comfortable during the hotter months. Since it is thermoclimatic, it also helps you stay warmer in the cooler weather.

Bamboo can also absorb 40% more water than cotton. Reduced moisture means not only a cooler, more comfortable sleep but a healthier one. When you have less oils and sweat on your sheets, you have less dust mites that take up residence with you in your bed. Dust mites are a huge trigger of allergies. Organic bamboo sheets are naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal and hypoallergenic.

Be prepared to pay a bit more for bamboo sheets versus cotton sheets. Although they cost more up front, you will likely have them for much longer. Bamboo sheets, properly laundered, can last up to 15 years. Cotton sheets usually need to be replaced every couple of years since they absorb skin oil, and then turn yellow and grey. Bamboo sheets are also less likely to tear and pill.                             

Before you go online and purchase the first set of bamboo sheets you see, be cautious! It is important to know there are different types of bamboo sheets on the market. Buyer beware.

First, if you have the option, buy 100% bamboo sheets in viscose or rayon. Other options on the market are bamboo cotton blends, bamboo microfiber and bamboo polyester. These are no where near as soft or comfortable as true bamboo. Bamboo sheets come in two different weaves. One is twill and the other is sateen. Twill is sturdy, soft and does not pill. Sateen, although even softer, is more prone to pill. Both are good options. Sateen will require more delicate care when cleaning.

If you are used to purchasing sheets based on thread count, also be wary. Although it used to be a reliable way to determine the quality of sheets, unscrutable manufacturers double and triple their numbers to artificially inflate their thread count. A good quality 100% bamboo sheet set at a thread count of 300 will more than satisfy your needs.

Bamboo sheets are available in many colors and sizes including individual, matrimonial, queen and king. If you are interested in a set of sheets for your home in Mexico before it gets too humid, email me at sa.novak@solutionsmexico.com.