Egyptian cotton, who?
As is the case in many households, my childhood bedscape rotated between cheap animated character-themed sheets and hand-me-downs made of pilly polyester. Often waking up itchy, my sensitive skin never seemed to get the rest it deserved.
I eventually realized that my skin was reacting to the synthetic linens. As I entered adulthood (and when I started buying my own bed sheets), I fully committed to natural fibers to reverse the damage. For over 10 years I’ve solely owned 100 percent cotton, linen, or even silk sheets (which I dub my “special occasion” set). Natural fibers like linen and cotton are known to better regulate the body’s temperature: linen is cool and breathable for summer nights, and jersey cotton helps retain warmth.
Linen and cotton have been around forever, making them natural choices for bed sheets. However, brands have been working to find even more sustainable materials to expand fabric options, which is how bamboo viscose came about. Until recently, I’d been brainwashed by Big Thread Count, but my previous devotion to natural fibers disappeared when I felt Cozy Earth’s bamboo viscose.
What is bamboo viscose?
100 percent bamboo viscose is made from the pulp of, you guessed it, bamboo. It’s sustainable by default because it can be recycled and will biodegrade over time. Bamboo is also a renewable resource, more so than cotton — just think of how quickly bamboo can grow. Not only can it mimic the look and feel of cotton and even silk, but the material regulates heat extremely well (perfect for fighting off night sweats).
The main advantage of bamboo viscose over cotton is that it’s a little more durable because it doesn’t hold onto oils like cotton does. It can also be better for those who have sensitive skin (like me) because it’s naturally hypoallergenic but still extremely breathable, unlike polyester.
What is Cozy Earth?
When I started my search for bamboo viscose sheets, everyone online (including Oprah) claimed that no one made better bamboo sheets than Cozy Earth. Founded in 2010, the brand sought to step away from traditional bed fibers like cotton and linen in favor of hypoallergenic, earth-friendly bamboo (and some silk bedding too!). While there are bamboo viscose bedding brands on Amazon and elsewhere, what sets Cozy Earth apart is that their bamboo is responsibly sourced, and they’re diligent in working directly with their suppliers “from seed to finished sheet.” They’re super transparent about their production process, which is not something you can say with most brands, hence a more premium price tag.
My Cozy Earth sheets review
The packaging of the sheets is incredibly thoughtful. The duvet arrived neatly packed in a sturdy, reusable duffel bag. I’ve used it for laundry and groceries, and I’ve even seen the same tote at TSA as someone’s carry-on. Upon opening it, there was a slight smell from being wrapped in plastic, but it aired out with a few shakes.
After an initial wash (if you don’t wash your linens before using them, you should probably start doing that), I quickly remade my bed and beheld my new sleep sanctuary. Then, I crawled in and discovered the smoothest, softest sheets I’d ever laid on. Sliding under them made me feel like a dolphin slipping under a wave before it breaks.
Over a year later and multiple rinse cycles later, my Cozy Earth sheets are still in great condition and feel like new. They really do hold up better than my cotton sets, thanks to bamboo viscose’s natural ability to wick away moisture and better resist odor. All stains have been easily cleaned out of the sheets — except for some drops of red wine, but we’ll chalk that up to user error.
(Editor’s note: Cozy Earth sheets appear wrinkled after a wash or a night of tossing and turning, but a few smoothing motions with your hands will return them to pristine condition.)
I still rotate in linen and 100 percent cotton (because I swap my bedding out every week, which is more than recommended), but I look forward to the day I swap in my Cozy Earth set. I probably won’t be able to resist adding another set to my linen closet much longer: They’ve been producing limited edition colors that stray from typical neutrals, like a warm buttery yellow and a summery green.
Right now, you can use the code KATIECOURIC for 35 percent off site-wide.
More Cozy Earth Gems
Cozy Earth Short Sleeve Bamboo Pajama Set
Cozy Earth
$175 (35% off with code KATIECOURIC)
