A bamboo infused mattress has one of two of the following properties: its cover is made of bamboo or it has a layer of foam that is infused with bamboo (generally bamboo charcoal) which provides added cooling similar to gel.
As there is a lot of hype around bamboo as a natural ingredient, there have been multiple brands that have included this ingredient for added product awareness.
However, it is important to know that bamboo infused memory foam and bamboo covered foam mattresses are still made of polyurethane, a synthetic blend of organic compounds that has a tendency to off-gas. If you are susceptible to lung issues, please do additional research on the quality of foams before purchasing.
Pros: Bamboo covers provide a cooler sleeping surface and bamboo infused memory foam similarly breathes better.
Cons: Off-gassing and durability problems with lower quality foams still exist despite being infused with bamboo.
Overall Score: 8.9/10
Comfort: 9/10
Softness: 9/10
Heat: 9.1/10
Hypoallergenic: 8.8/10
Odor: 8.7/10
Eco-Conscious: 8.9/10
General Support: 8.7/10
Price Value: 9.2/10
Bamboo fabric can be made two ways: mechanically or chemically. Mechanically is the more sustainable method that is achieved by crushing the bamboo into a pulp, using the natural enzymes to separate the fiber and then spin it into fabric. Unfortunately, this is generally not the process that is generally used because it is much more intensive and the end product is similar to linen in feel. The more common chemical method involves cooking the bamboo with strong chemical solvents, treating it with diluted sulfuric acid and weaving it into soft thread. I've dumbed down the process, but the process is not sustainable or eco-friendly, and the chemicals used are dangerous for human exposure -- similar to other synthetic fabrics. With bamboo infused foam, it is generally converted into a charcoal by burning and then is combined during the foam cooling process.
Bamboo is both used in mattress covers and bamboo infused foams within the comfort layers.