Bedding Claims: Don’t Be Fooled by Fancy Words
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When you’re shopping online for pillowcases you’ll see all sorts of claims about how different materials are good for your hair and skin. But not all of these are backed up by science. In fact, 75% of consumers report seeing false or exaggerated advertising online which can erode trust and lead to bad buying decisions.
In this post we’ll look at the science behind different pillowcase materials and what’s actually good for your hair and skin.
"Made of Bamboo"— Is It Really?
In 2021 Bed Bath & Beyond got in trouble for putting “bamboo” labels on products that were blends not pure bamboo. In 2016 Target cut ties with Welspun India after discovering 750,000 sheets and pillowcases labeled as “Egyptian cotton” weren’t 100% Egyptian cotton. These are just two examples of a common problem: sellers use pretty labels to mislead consumers, whether it's a silk pillowcase or a cotton pillowcase.
So how can you avoid getting duped? Here are some practical tips before you buy and after you buy to make sure you get what you paid for.
Before You Buy: How to Spot Misleading Claims
1. Сheck the Label Thoroughly
Sellers use a trick where they feature “hot words” like bamboo, silk, satin pillowcase, or Egyptian cotton in the title but the detailed description tells a different story. For example, what appears to be 100% bamboo might be a blend with polyester or cotton.
Hack: Use Ctrl+F to search for the specific material (e.g., “bamboo”) in the product description. This will let you quickly find mentions of blends or synthetic additives hidden further down the text. Or go through the entire description manually to make sure nothing is missed.
2. Look for Certifications
Seeing certifications like OEKO-TEX or GOTS on a product is good but not enough. Each genuine certification has a unique ID number that you can check in the issuing authority’s database.
Tip:
- If the product claims a certification but doesn’t provide a number, be cautious.
- Check the ID on platforms like the OEKO-TEX® Label Check to make sure the certification matches the product and brand.
3. Be Wary of “Too Good to Be True” Prices
Authentic Egyptian cotton or pure bamboo fabrics are high end materials and the price reflects that. If a product seems too cheap it’s worth a closer look. Here’s a simple hack to check authenticity:
After You Buy: How to Test Your Purchase
1. Check the Material Label
Start with the label on the product itself. It often has more information than online descriptions or packaging. For example a label might say: “40% bamboo, 60% polyester” even if the product was advertised as “100% bamboo.”
2. Perform a Burn Test
A burn test can help you identify if the fabric is natural or synthetic. Here’s how:
- Carefully pull out a small loose thread or fabric piece.
- Burn it in a safe environment, like over a metal sink.
Natural Fibers (e.g., cotton, bamboo) will smell like burnt paper and leave soft ash. Synthetics (e.g., polyester) will smell like burnt plastic and form hard beads.
3. Observe Wear and Feel Over Time
Authentic fabrics behave differently from synthetic blends after repeated use and washing:
- Natural Materials:
- Get softer with each wash, a characteristic of materials like cotton or bamboo.
- Synthetic Blends:
- Pill, fray or retain stiffness over time, especially after machine wash.
“Hypoallergenic” and “Dust Mite-Resistant” Claims for Sensitive Skin: What’s the Truth?
Brands love to market their bedding as “hypoallergenic” or “dust mite-resistant” often citing unique fibers or copper and silver infused sheets that kill germs and bacteria. But how much of this is backed by science?
The Science Behind “Science-Sounding” Claims and Washing Instructions
No matter how high-tech or expensive the material sounds, the truth is that nothing beats regular washing with soap, hot water and agitation. People shed skin cells, dirt and countless microscopic germs every night and adding metal infused fibers to fabric doesn’t provide a long term solution. In fact, Silvon, a company known for its silver infused sheets, says even their product shouldn’t go more than 10 days between washes.
Can “Hypoallergenic” or “Dust Mite-Resistant” Be Proven?
Bamboo: While some studies suggest that bamboo derived fabrics may retain certain antibacterial properties, the evidence is mixed. For example, a 2012 Indian study found that “bamboo rayon showed excellent and durable antibacterial activities against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria” whereas a Chinese study concluded that “the bamboo pulp fabric just like cotton fabric has not possessed antimicrobial property.”
Cotton: Untreated cotton fabrics generally don’t have antibacterial properties. However, when treated with antimicrobial agents or nanoparticles, cotton can. For example, a study found that cotton fabrics treated with silver nanoparticles showed enhanced antibacterial activity.
Silk: Silk has a protein called sericin which has antimicrobial activity against various bacteria. However, the effectiveness depends on the fabric composition. Blended silk with only a small percentage of silk fibers has minimal antibacterial benefits and reduces its benefits.
Conclusion
When brands make big claims, the truth is often in plain sight—on their product description, pricing or brand history. Don’t let marketing jargon like “hypoallergenic” or “anti-dust mites” fool you. The simplest way to have clean and healthy bedding is to wash it regularly.
If you have sensitive skin or allergies, get multiple sets of bedding and change them every few days. In the end, it’s not about the fancy claims—it’s about consistent care and hygiene. That’s all you need for a good night’s sleep.