Organic Cotton vs. Bamboo: What’s Really Better for You and the Planet?
Let’s start by saying this: making conscious clothing choices is no small thing. It’s a quiet kind of activism. Every time you choose something that’s kinder to your skin, your body, and the earth—you’re part of the ripple. We see you, and we celebrate you for that.
Now, let’s dive into a conversation we hear often in our dea community: Is bamboo better than organic cotton? And what’s the difference?
A Quick Look: What Are We Comparing?
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Organic Cotton: Grown without harmful pesticides or synthetic fertilisers. Breathable, durable, and gentle on the skin.
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Bamboo (Viscose/Rayon): Derived from bamboo plants, but is heavily processed into a fibre using chemical solvents.This is not a close-looped process, so the chemicals can be released into the environment. Alternatively, tencel/lyocell is a closed loop process.
Curious about how dea works with organic cotton? Explore our organic process
1. Farming & Growth Process
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Bamboo grows fast. Really fast. It needs no pesticides and very little water, which sounds incredible on paper. And from a purely agricultural perspective, bamboo is a regenerative superstar.
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Organic Cotton, while slower to grow, is also cultivated without harmful chemicals and often in rotation with other crops—promoting biodiversity and soil health. It also uses more water to grow.
So far, bamboo seems like a win... but the twist is in what happens next.
2. Processing & Production
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Bamboo Fabric (Rayon or Viscose) is created through a chemical-heavy process. To turn hard bamboo stalks into soft fabric, manufacturers use solvents like sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide—substances that are harmful to both workers and the environment if not handled properly.
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Organic Cotton, by contrast, doesn’t need to be chemically broken down. The fibre is spun straight from the fluffy cotton boll, processed with low-impact dyes and minimal treatment.
There is a more sustainable option called lyocell (sometimes labeled bamboo lyocell or Tencel), which uses a closed-loop system that recycles water and solvents, and is made with eucalyptus or wood. But unless a brand explicitly says so, most bamboo fabric is made using conventional viscose methods.
- What about the colours? Bamboo viscose doesn't absorb natural dyes as well as natural fabrics such as cotton, linen and hemp. Without chemical fixatives bamboo viscose produces pale colours and leaches it's colour quickly. So those bamboo garments with vibrant colours will have been dyed with chemical dyes.
Want to dive deeper into the impact of dyes? Read our blog on natural dyeing
3. Skin Feel & Comfort
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Bamboo is praised for being silky-smooth, moisture-wicking, long-lasting and naturally antibacterial, but there is some evidence that there could be carbon disulfide residue on the fabric.
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Organic Cotton offers a soft, breathable experience—ideal for sensitive skin and all-day comfort. It’s not just about how it feels when you first put it on, but how it holds up over time. dea’s organic cotton underwear, for example, only gets softer with love and lasts longer than most synthetic fabrics.
4. Impact on People & Planet
This one’s big.
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Bamboo often gets praised as a sustainable wonder-fabric—but that reputation doesn’t always hold up. While the bamboo plant itself grows quickly without pesticides, turning it into fabric is usually a different story. Most bamboo clothing is actually viscose, made using harsh chemicals like sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide. These solvents can be harmful to workers and the environment, and unless the process is clearly labelled as closed-loop (like bamboo lyocell), it’s likely not as eco-friendly as it sounds.
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Even more concerning, there’s very little regulation around testing finished bamboo garments for chemical residues. According to the Environmental Working Group, carbon disulfide can remain in the fabric and may pose subtle health risks—especially for sensitive individuals. The lack of testing means we often don’t know what’s really lingering on our skin.
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Organic Cotton supports healthier farming communities. Certified organic farming avoids toxins, protects water sources, and upholds labour standards. It does use more water than bamboo to grow, but the processing does not use as much water and none of the harmful chemicals bamboo uses.
So... Which One’s Better?
It depends on what lens you're looking through. Bamboo can be a sustainable superstar if it's processed responsibly like lyocell. Organic cotton is a more transparent and skin-safe option, especially for intimate wear and those with sensitivities.
For a deeper dive into the environmental impact of bamboo fabrics, check out Good On You’s guide to bamboo.
At dea, we’ve chosen organic cotton because we know every stage of its life. From seed to bum, our fabrics are traceable, toxin-free, and crafted in a way that honours people and planet alike.
Whichever You Choose—We’re With You
Sustainable living doesn’t come with a rulebook. It’s made up of small, intentional decisions that stack up over time. Whether you wear bamboo, cotton, or a little bit of both—what matters is that you’re choosing to care. To ask questions. To consider your impact.
And we love that about you.
Keep choosing what feels good on your skin and good in your heart.
With love,
dea xx
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