Bamboo fabric vs cotton
'Bamboo' fabric is usually viscose – soft and cool, but weaker and more shrink-prone than cotton. The eco claims are often overstated.
Choose bamboo fabric
Soft socks and pyjamas
Choose cotton
Durable everyday clothes
Bamboo fabric
- Soft and breathable
- The eco claims are often overstated – it's viscose
- Shrinks
Cotton
- Breathes and absorbs moisture
- Hypoallergenic, good for sensitive skin
- Washes easily, even hot
- Creases
- Shrinks in heat, especially jersey
- Slow to dry
| Bamboo fabric | Cotton | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Regenerated (from cellulose) | Natural plant fibre |
| Made from | Bamboo cellulose. | The fluffy fibre around cotton plant seeds. |
| Feel | Very soft and cool. | Cool, dry and kind to skin; softens with age. |
| Shrinks? | Yes – bamboo fabric shrinks in hot water and the dryer, especially as a knit. Wash at 30 °C and dry without heat. | Yes – cotton shrinks in hot water and the dryer, especially as a knit. Wash at 30 °C and dry without heat. |
| Used for | Socks, underwear, baby clothes, pyjamas. | T-shirts, shirts, jeans, underwear, bedding. |
More comparisons
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
01Which is better, bamboo fabric or cotton?
'Bamboo' fabric is usually viscose – soft and cool, but weaker and more shrink-prone than cotton. The eco claims are often overstated.
02Which is more breathable?
Cotton breathes better.
03Which creases less?
About the same.