Silk has long been the king of the luxury bedding world; it’s literal ‘silky’ smooth texture, cooling properties, and ability to improve the long term health of your hair and skin make it far superior to any run-of-the-mill bedding. Yet its impact on the environment and difficulty to maintain has led many to ditch their silk bedding and select Bamboo as their bed-time partner instead. And here’s why…
Sustainability
Bamboo is known as the world’s most resource-efficient plant. It grows at an incredible rate of up to four feet per day, it produces 35% more oxygen than an equivalent strand found on similar trees, and it’s carbon neutral. Bamboo doesn't require irrigation, rarely needs replanting, and it can grow without pesticides or chemical fertilisers.
Silk on the other hand, has the worst impact on the environment out of any textile according to the Higg Index, which was developed by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition to help brands and retailers determine a products sustainability performance. Silk is difficult to harvest, it uses a significant amount of water to produce, causes harmful water pollution and emits more greenhouse gases than almost all other textiles.
Silk production also requires the unnecessary death of thousands of silkworms in the manufacturing process, which makes it a no go for vegans and those concerned with animal welfare, you can see why many fashion brands are banning silk from their collections.
It’s worth noting that not all bamboo textiles are created equally. A large number of brands release products made from bamboo viscose, also known as bamboo rayon. The concern with bamboo rayon is the chemically-intensive processes that have harmful impacts on the environment, workers, and local communities. At DORMU, we use 100% bamboo lyocell, one of the most sustainable and innovative textile materials of the 21st century.
In the lyocell process, raw bamboo pulp is dissolved using a non-toxic solvent, producing non-hazardous discharge. The fibre is created using a closed-loop system that recycles 98% of the water used during fabrication. The result is bamboo lyocell fabric that is stronger and softer than bamboo rayon, free from harmful chemicals and requires less energy and water to produce.
Comfort
Bamboo and silk share many characteristics in the comfort department. They’re both incredibly soft and sleek, moisture wicking, and their smooth texture prevents your hair from getting frizzy and tangled during the night. The biggest difference comes down to breathability, which is key for keeping you cool at night and helping you sleep better. Bamboo fibre is naturally breathable due its relatively large gaps between smooth strands, which enables air to flow freely through. In contrast, the tight weaves in silk causes blockages that prevents air flow. The breathability of bamboo naturally regulates temperature, allowing you to keep warm in winter and cool in hot, humid summers.
Durability
Unlike silk, which is delicate and must be hand-washed with formulated detergent, bamboo can be machine washed. Bamboo is also strain resistant, won’t discolour over time and it actually becomes softer with every wash. Silk doesn’t share these qualities, which means you have to be extremely delicate with your silk bedding, even a broken nail can unravel the silk.
Conclusion
We’re sure that by now you’re convinced. And though silk may be a better choice than polyester bedding, it really doesn't hold up across the board when compared to bamboo.
The smooth texture, its ability to keep you comfortable year-round, and its minimal impact on the environment make it a winner for us.
So what are you waiting for? Try the luxury feel of bamboo today with the DORMU Cooling Weighted Blanket.
