There is no doubt that getting a good night’s sleep is an essential element of good health and wellbeing. If your bed and bedding aren’t comfortable (and comforting, for that matter), this can significantly impact how you feel and how you function in everyday life. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a basic guide to eco-friendly bedding to help you get the sleep you deserve.
Types of Bedding
When we talk about bedding, we refer to the sheets and covers used to make and cover our beds. These include sheets and pillowcases, blankets and under-blankets, duvets, comforters, quilts, and bedspreads.
Mattress covers, sheets, and pillowcases are often categorized as “bed linen” and, in the context of “green” bedding, may be made from various materials, such as:
- Organic cotton,
- Organic linen,
- Hemp,
- Bamboo,
- Eucalyptus.
“Green” blankets are made from organically produced wool, mohair, and also from pure organically grown cotton.
Duvets, quilts, and comforters all have one thing in common: they are essentially fabric “casings” stuffed with something soft that keeps us warm. Organic stuffing might come in the form of cotton, natural kapok (a plant fiber often combined with organic cotton), or wool.
Feathers and down, while natural, are generally not considered “organic,” although many argue that they are eco-friendly. The controversy lies in the method of “harvesting” down and feathers, which can be quite controversial!
Two other less common organic duvet fillings include camel hair—collected when the animals shed their coats before the hot summer months in the desert—and wood pulp, derived from natural cellulose fibers.
Organic batting (used for quilts and comforters) may be made from bamboo and an organic cotton blend, or something similar.
To ensure that the bedding you purchase is genuinely “green,” look for reliable organic certification on the packaging.
Organic Certification
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a broad National Organic Program (NOP) that regulates standards for all farming and harvesting of “organically produced” products. It has 93 accredited certifying agents, 52 of which are based in the US. There are also foreign agents in countries such as Australia, Canada, Egypt, and various parts of Europe. Among other things, the USDA runs a Country of Origin Labeling Program (COOL), so you know exactly where products come from.
In Europe, legislation for organic production of materials was introduced in January 2009. The leading European inspection body for organic products is SKAL, a private non-profit foundation based in the Netherlands.
Additionally, there is a Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) fiber program dedicated specifically to textiles. Many countries, including Canada and Korea, base their standards on this program.
All materials grown to make organic fabrics come from seeds that haven’t been treated. Organic farmers also refrain from using synthetic fertilizers or harmful insecticides and pesticides. No toxic chemicals are used during the harvesting or processing of crops—whether cotton, flax, hemp, or bamboo. Moreover, no formaldehyde is added to the material, and all products are made without harmful substances.
Organic Cotton
Eco-friendly cotton is processed in various ways to achieve different results. For instance, percale is a fine grade of cotton, while flannel or flannelette is a warm, brushed material, perfect for those cold winter nights. Both are popular choices for making bed sheets.
“Egyptian cotton” often tops the list of eco-friendly cotton bedding materials. Typically, Egyptian cotton has gained a reputation for luxury, largely because its fiber is extra-long. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the cotton is eco-friendly. If you’re seeking truly “green” cotton products, be sure to do your research before purchasing.
Organic Linen
It’s somewhat ironic that we refer to bedding as “bed linen” when most bedding isn’t made from linen at all. Linen is made from the fibers of the cultivated flax plant, and it’s one of the oldest textiles—likely the first to be made from plant fibers. Ancient Egyptians used linen, and the Romans established linen factories in Britain and Gaul. Linen became commonplace during the Middle Ages.
Ireland and France are known for their high-quality linen industries. While most linen bedding is considered high-end and generally more expensive than cotton, today’s organic “French linen” can be half the price of traditional, non-organic varieties. For example, Rawganique, based in the US and Canada, has been selling organic, European-made “French linen” sheets since 2000, and by cutting out the middleman and minimizing profits, they offer significantly lower prices.
Modern organic linen remains made from flax. Though it may feel a bit stiff when first purchased, it softens beautifully after a few washes.
Another type of bed linen you may encounter is modal, a cellulose fiber derived from beech trees that is often blended with fibers from the flax plant.
Hemp
Hemp is considered the most sustainable plant on Earth, and it has more uses than any other material. It grows incredibly quickly, enriching the soil, and requires little water or fertilizers to thrive. Its deep roots help prevent soil erosion, and it requires less land than other fibrous plants (like flax and cotton) to yield the same amount of fabric.
The fiber from the plant’s outer stalk is used to make textiles, which, when produced correctly in an eco-friendly manner, is four times stronger than cotton and considerably more durable. Hemp sheets look and feel similar to linen and will soften after a few washes.
Though hemp is highly sustainable, if it is washed with chemicals and acids to soften the fibers (a process that can occur in some factories, particularly in China), the fibers weaken, and the product is no longer eco-friendly. So, once again, it’s important to do your checks before purchasing hemp bedding.
Bamboo
With a texture similar to silk, fabric made from bamboo is naturally antibacterial and hypoallergenic. Bamboo shares many benefits with organically grown hemp because it is grown without harsh chemicals or pesticides, and its extensive root system helps prevent soil erosion.
Though bamboo fabric may not be as durable as hemp or cotton, it’s more absorbent and usually more affordable.
If cellulose is combined with bamboo fiber, the fabric loses the antibacterial and antifungal properties that pure, organic bamboo fibers have.
Organic Wool
Wool is considered organic when the livestock are humanely treated, and the fleece is free of chemical contaminants such as pesticides or topical medications. Organic wool is also cleaned and disinfected naturally, without the use of harsh detergents or petroleum-based chemicals.
Eucalyptus
Since all textiles are made from some kind of fiber—and all eco-friendly textiles are made from organic or natural fibers—it shouldn’t be a surprise that manufacturers have turned to eucalyptus tree fibers to make bedding. Some bedding products combine eucalyptus with cotton.
Eucalyptus sheets are incredibly smooth, have excellent moisture control, and are said to deter bed bugs. The “Tencel” used in these sheets is made from the fresh wood pulp of eucalyptus trees.
As long as the eucalyptus comes from sustainably managed forests, what’s not to love?
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a guide to eco-friendly bedding, make sure to choose textiles that are organic or, at the very least, made from natural products.
