Silk bedding or bamboo
Short answer: Silk is the smoothest fibre and also the most expensive, and it needs careful washing. Bedding in bamboo viscose gives much of the same smooth feel and can be machine washed at 40 degrees, which makes it easier to use every day.
Smoothness
Silk is the smoothest natural fibre, and that is what you feel when you rest your cheek on the pillow. Bamboo viscose comes close, because the fibres are long and the surface is even, but it lacks the same sheen. In return you get the feel without the price. See bamboo bedding to feel it yourself.
Care
Silk needs careful washing, often by hand or on a delicate cycle, and does not cope well with ordinary detergent. Many silk items must dry flat and out of the sun. Bamboo viscose can be machine washed at 40 degrees and line dried. For most people that decides whether bedding gets used weekly or stays in the cupboard.
Hair and skin
Both fabrics are smooth and create less friction against hair and face than rough cotton. Many people find their hair tangles less in the morning, but that is an experience, not a promise. If you have skin problems, talk to your doctor. Read more in bamboo pillowcase and what it does for skin and hair.
Warmth
Silk insulates well for its weight and can feel warm in winter, even though the fabric is thin. Bamboo viscose moves moisture away from the skin better and therefore feels cooler if you sweat at night. Warm sleepers often choose bamboo. If you get cold easily, silk can be pleasant as a pillowcase.
The price
Silk costs considerably more per set than bamboo viscose, because of both the raw material and the way the fibre is produced. A full silk set for a double bed is a bigger purchase. Bamboo viscose sits at a price where most people can have two sets per bed, so a clean one is always ready.
Washing
Bamboo viscose is washed at 40 degrees without fabric softener and with a mild dose of detergent. Turn the duvet cover inside out and close buttons or zips before washing. Avoid high heat in the dryer, as the fibres are more fragile when wet. All the steps are in the washing guide.
Does it last
Silk is strong when dry, but sunlight, sweat and the wrong wash wear it down, and the colour can fade. Bamboo viscose lasts a long time if washed at 40 degrees and dried gently. Both fabrics get a softer surface over time. More on the differences in bamboo compared with silk.
In practice
Most people end up with bamboo viscose for everyday use and silk for single items, such as a pillowcase. That gives you the smooth feel where you notice it most, without hand washing a whole set. If you want the same soft quality elsewhere at home, see home and homewear in bamboo.
In short
If you want the smoothest surface and are ready to hand wash, silk is the choice. If you want bedding that feels smooth, moves moisture and can go in with the rest of the laundry, most people choose bamboo viscose. It is less about which is best and more about how you will use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is bamboo as smooth as silk?
Not quite. Silk is the smoothest fibre, but bamboo viscose comes close and gives much of the same feel without the same price and without hand washing.
Can silk be machine washed?
It needs care. Many silk items are washed by hand or on a delicate cycle with a special detergent. Always follow the care label on the individual item.
Which is better for warm sleepers?
Most warm sleepers prefer bamboo viscose, because it moves moisture away from the skin and feels cool. Silk insulates more for its weight and can feel warmer.
See our range of Nordic Weaving bedding.
