For the time being at least, 100% cotton bed linen is and will continue to be the primary go-to for the majority of UK consumers when it comes to replacing their bedding. Having been around for so many decades and plummeted in price pretty consistently, it’s little wonder why most don’t think twice about buying cotton. It’s cheap, it’s comfortable and it tends to last a long time – what more could be asked of any piece of bedding?
Well, the truth of the matter is that a new addition to the market is already creating waves in a big way and could very well topple cotton from its podium position sooner or later. Let’s just say that if you haven’t heard of bamboo already, you’ll hear about it soon enough. Still somewhat on the niche side though gaining a great deal of fame along elite circles, bamboo bedding came out of nowhere to become a new favourite for those in the know. Billed by some as being superior to all other bedding materials across the board, bamboo certainly has its fair share of admirers and plus points.
Of course, some will argue it’s nothing more than a fashionable fad that will die out – once again leaving cotton behind as the supreme victor. Nevertheless, when you look at the specifics of cotton in comparison with bamboo, you can’t help but feel we really are looking at the start of something very big as in many ways the race is too close to call.
Unsure of which to go for? Here’s a look at a few points to consider:
Comfort
In terms of the comfort of cotton, it really all comes down to the grade and quality of cotton you choose. For example, a bargain-basement barrel-bottom bed sheet on sale for pennies isn’t quite going to give you the same experience as ultra-premium brushed Egyptian cotton. Bamboo on the other hand delivers a uniquely silky and luxurious feel every time, meaning that whichever product you go for, you’re pretty much guaranteed a wonderful experience. So really, it’s only fair to compare the very best of the cotton bedding on the market to the latest bamboo bedding – both of which are supremely comfortable and really have very little over one another.
Affordability
This is an equally tough one to weigh up as while some would say that cotton is vastly cheaper and is therefore better, it’s not actually quite so simple. The reason being that if you want to buy a bunch of bedding all at once and pay the lowest price for it, you’re of course going to naturally go for cotton bedding – you may not be able to afford large quantities of bamboo bedding at the time. However, over the long-term you’ll no doubt find that bamboo makes the better investment as it has a tendency to last up to three times longer than cotton. So while it’s more expensive at first, it’s also better value for money long-term.
Moisture Control
The fact that bamboo is three times as absorbent as cotton really says all that needs to be said about moisture control. For those who have a tendency to get a little on the sweaty side while sleeping, moisture control really can make the biggest difference when it comes to comfort and quality of sleep. Of course, cotton is also beautifully absorbent and tends to be sufficient for most people, but for those in need of slightly above-average absorbency, bamboo bedding could be the way to go.
Ease of Care
Another area in which the two options are closely tied is that of ease of care – aka washing and looking after the bedding. In both instances it’s simply a case of using the washing machine as normal, avoiding drying on temperatures that may be too high and storing in sensible places. Some types of cotton bedding are far more prone to creasing that bamboo, though bamboo bedding can be much heavier and take longer to dry due to its absorbency. In both instances though, it’s a doddle to take care of things.
Eco-Friendliness
Last but not least, those with an interest in looking out for the environment would always be best-advised to look carefully into the specifics of the brand before deciding who to buy from. Generally speaking, bamboo bedding tends to be uniquely eco-friendly by way of its sourcing, production and so on. That being said, there are also plenty of cotton brands that follow just as strict policies when it comes to eco-friendliness. Once again therefore, it’s a race that’s too close to call with a good deal of positive things to say on both accounts.