Are Bamboo Pillows Hypoallergenic?

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If you’ve hit the bedding section of a favorite store on or offline recently, you have probably noticed that there are a growing number of bamboo pillows on offer. Among the many benefits that the manufacturers of these pillows tout is the fact that bamboo pillows are an excellent choice for people with allergies. But are bamboo pillows hypoallergenic?

While nothing can be said to be 100% hypoallergenic – people have hundreds of different types of allergies – research has found that compared to other fabric types, bamboo does seem to offer the best allergy resistance.

But, as we will detail here, the fact that bamboo will indeed help most people avoid the misery of nighttime allergy symptoms there are also plenty of other reasons that you might want to swap your standard pillow for a bamboo pillow.

Can You Be Allergic to Bamboo Pillows?

It is highly unlikely that you would experience an allergic reaction to the bamboo itself, but as bamboo pillows might be filled with something else, (more on that in a moment) then there is a slight possibility you might have a bad reaction to whatever that is.

What are Bamboo Pillows Really Made of?

Bamboo forest - where bamboo bedding comes from
Path to bamboo forest, Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan

Most bamboo pillows make use of bamboo in the cover, not in the filling itself. This is a processed form of bamboo that is a combination of both the stalk and the leaves of the bamboo plant that is boiled, crushed, and then woven into a usable, durable fabric.

What a bamboo pillow is filled with varies from pillow to pillow. Some make use of shredded memory foam, while others utilize a polyester blend or even a gel type material. These fillings are encased and covered by the bamboo fabric however, so other than helping determine the shape and loft of the pillow they should not affect your sleeping experience.

Sleepsia Bamboo Pillow Review

Click here to see Sleepsia Bamboo Pillow

What’s So Special About Bamboo Pillows?

Given that bamboo pillows are usually a more expensive choice than standard pillows, and that a good pillow is crucial for a good night’s sleep, it’ only natural that you might be wondering what all the recent buzz surrounding them is about and just what’s so special about bamboo pillows. According to many bedding and sleep experts, bamboo pillows can offer all the following:

Bamboo Pillows Wick Away Moisture to Keep You Cooler

The bamboo plant’s fibers are hollow, and the little gaps and pores in the strands absorb moisture (from sweat). They also allow for the escape of heated air (from your breath and the surrounding air). Bamboo, when compared to other pillow fabrics, may be more effective in keeping you cool and comfortable when sleeping on it.

Bamboo Seems to Have Natural Hypoallergenic and Antibacterial Properties

Bamboo fibers may inherently resist the growth of microorganisms, according to some research. This implies they are less likely to get contaminated with bacteria that cause illness or foul odors. It also helps them resist contamination from dust mites.

In comparison to other fabrics, there is some evidence that bamboo is less prone to produce allergic reactions. It should be noted however that high quality cotton produced similar allergy protection results in those studies.

Bamboo Fabrics Resist Static

If bed head is a problem for you, the fact that bamboo fibers are anti-static and anti-cling by nature might be a big plus. In addition, when bamboo fibers are woven into fabric it produces a silk like feeling fabric that is soft to the touch and soft to sleep on.

Bamboo is an Easy Fabric to Care For

Bamboo fabrics are far more wrinkle-resistant and much less likely to shrink in the laundry than cotton. It is also an exceptionally durable fabric, meaning that an investment in a high-quality bamboo pillow should be one that offers better ROI in terms of usable life than many other pillow types.

Sweet night bamboo pillow review

Click here to see Sweet Night Bamboo & Charcoal Memory Pillow

Bamboo Can Be an Eco-friendlier Choice

There are a few more advantages of bamboo from an environmental aspect. Bamboo absorbs far more carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and produces far more fresh oxygen than trees.

Bamboo also recovers far faster than most plants. It is one of the world’s fastest-growing plants. It biodegrades quickly and requires little water. Rainwater is usually sufficient to keep bamboo growing. Finally, bamboo, unlike many other plants, does not require pesticide treatment because of its natural resistance to them.

Are Bamboo Pillows Healthy?

In themselves, bamboo pillows are not unhealthy. And their antimicrobial and antibacterial properties may make them healthier than some other pillow choices.

However, there is not a lot of scientific evidence that they are ‘healthier’ than a high-quality cotton pillow in other respects.

Do Bamboo Pillows Get Dust Mites?

A close up of bed bugs dust mites in unclean bedding

Bamboo does resist microorganisms better than many other fabrics, so far fewer dust mites should be able to make a bamboo pillow home. They are not completely resistant to them, though. If the room you sleep in tends to be dusty – and some very closed off rooms attract more dust even when cleaned regularly – then your pillow is more susceptible to dust mites, and you may need to be a little more proactive to keep them at bay.

Cosy House Collection Luxury Bamboo Waterproof Zippered Pillow Protector

Luxury Waterproof Zippered Pillow Protector Queen

Protect your bamboo pillow with this Bamboo-derived Rayon & Polyester Blend protector found on Amazon.

In addition to finding a way to increase air circulation and air quality – an air purifier can be a tremendous help here, and they are offered in a number of sizes and price ranges – you can also get into the habit of shaking out your pillow (outdoors) on a regular basis to keep dust mites at bay as well.

LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home

LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Allergies Pets Hair in Bedroom, Covers Up to 1095 ft² by 45W High Torque Motor, 3-in-1 Filter with HEPA sleep mode, Remove Dust Smoke Pollutants Odor, Core300-P, White

Get further relief from sneezing, congestion, and other allergy symptoms while your sleep with this H13 True HEPA Filter found on Amazon.

What’s the Best Bamboo Pillow to Buy?

As you shop, you’ll see, as we mentioned at the start of this piece, that the number of bamboo pillow offerings on the market is increasing fast.

The best bamboo pillow to buy will probably call for some extra research, but we certainly suggest choosing a bamboo pillow that is crafted from a high-quality bamboo fabric for its cover, has a lofty, but soft fill and offers good neck and shoulder support.

Whatever type of pillow you choose, how well it supports your neck and shoulders while you sleep is every bit as important as what it’s made from!

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