No pajama fabric is sustainable by default. What matters is where the fiber comes from, how it is processed and which certifications back it up. Here is how TENCEL™ Modal, organic cotton and "bamboo" fabric compare, and what each label actually tells you.
Eberjey makes pajamas in two of these fibers: our Gisele sets in 95% LENZING™ TENCEL™ Modal and our Organic Pima Cotton sets in 100% organic Pima cotton. We don't currently make bamboo pajamas.
What makes a pajama fabric more sustainable?
- Where the raw material comes from: how the wood or cotton is grown and sourced.
- How it is processed: what chemicals are used and whether they are recovered.
- Who has checked it: independent certifications for the fiber, the factory or the finished product.
- How long it lasts: a set you wear for years does more than one you replace each season.
How do TENCEL™ Modal, organic cotton and bamboo compare?
| TENCEL™ Modal | Organic cotton | "Bamboo" fabric | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw material | Wood. The wood for TENCEL™ Modal fibers comes from certified or controlled forest sources. | Cotton grown to organic standards. In the US, organic crop rules prohibit genetic engineering and require that no prohibited substances be applied to the land for at least 3 years before harvest. | Bamboo. Many textiles sold as "bamboo" are actually rayon (viscose) made from bamboo pulp. |
| Processing | Made with a highly resource-efficient process with high recovery rates of chemicals. | Spun and woven or knit like other cotton. | Turning bamboo into rayon uses toxic chemicals and emits hazardous air pollutants. |
| Labels to look for | TENCEL™ branding on the label | An independent organic certification | Correct labeling, such as "rayon made from bamboo" or "viscose made from bamboo" |
| Eberjey option | Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set, $158 | Organic Pima Cotton Long PJ Set, $228 | None |
What does each label actually prove?
- OEKO-TEX® Standard 100: a label for textiles tested for harmful substances. Every thread, button and accessory of a certified item is tested against a list of over 1,000 harmful substances. It is a product-safety label, not a sustainability label.
- Organic certification: an independent check that the fiber was grown to organic standards. If a product says "organic," look for which certification backs that claim.
- "Bamboo" claims: in the US, fabric made by turning bamboo into rayon should be labeled as rayon or viscose (for example, "rayon made from bamboo"), not simply as bamboo.
Is TENCEL™ Modal sustainable?
TENCEL™ Modal is a branded modal fiber. The wood comes from certified or controlled sources, and its production technology has high recovery rates of chemicals. Like any fabric, its overall footprint also depends on how the garment is dyed, sewn and cared for. Our Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set is verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. Read more in What Is TENCEL™ Modal Fabric?
Is bamboo fabric eco-friendly?
Usually not in the way the label suggests. Many "bamboo" textiles are actually rayon, made using a chemical process, and should be labeled as rayon or viscose. If you buy "bamboo" pajamas, look for honest labeling, such as "viscose made from bamboo," and a product-safety certification like OEKO-TEX® Standard 100.
Which Eberjey pajamas use these fibers?
- Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set in Navy/Ivory, $158. 95% LENZING™ TENCEL™ Modal, 5% elastane; sizes XXS–XXL.
- Organic Pima Cotton Long PJ Set in Ivory, $228. 100% organic Pima cotton; sizes XS–XL.
- Organic Pima Cotton Short PJ Set in Ivory, $198. 100% organic Pima cotton; sizes XS–XL.
- Organic Pima Cotton Short Sleeve & Pant PJ Set in Ivory, $228. 100% organic Pima cotton; sizes XS–XL.
You can see all of our Pima styles in our Pima Cotton PJs collection.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most sustainable pajamas?
Look past the fiber name to the evidence: where the raw material comes from, how it is processed and which certifications back it up. Certified organic cotton and TENCEL™ Modal from certified or controlled wood sources are both well-documented choices, and a set you wear for years matters as much as the fiber.
Is TENCEL™ Modal sustainable?
The wood for TENCEL™ Modal fibers comes from certified or controlled forest sources, and its production has high recovery rates of chemicals. Like any fabric, its overall footprint also depends on how the garment is dyed, sewn and cared for.
Is bamboo fabric eco-friendly?
Usually not in the way the label suggests. Many "bamboo" textiles are actually rayon, made with toxic chemicals in a process that emits hazardous air pollutants, and should be labeled as rayon or viscose made from bamboo.
Is organic cotton better than TENCEL™ Modal?
They are different kinds of fiber. Organic cotton is a plant fiber grown to organic standards, best verified by an independent organic certification. TENCEL™ Modal is a wood-based fiber. Choose by feel and care as well: Eberjey's TENCEL™ Modal is a soft, stretchy knit, while our Organic Pima Cotton sets are 100% organic Pima cotton.
What does OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 mean?
It is a label for textiles tested for harmful substances. Every thread, button and accessory of a certified product is tested against a list of over 1,000 harmful substances. It tests for harmful substances; for organic fiber content, look for an organic certification.
Does Eberjey use organic cotton?
Yes. Our Organic Pima Cotton PJ sets are 100% organic Pima cotton, and our holiday flannel sets are 50% organic cotton and 50% modacrylic.
