When it’s warm, my mindset shifts when I see all the beauty blooming around me. I so enjoy cleaning, taking walks with my dogs around my neighborhood, and occasionally letting myself sleep in! It’s a rare treat but a worthy one. On average, we spend about 26 years of our life sleeping. Isn’t that a trip? Getting a good night’s rest is so important and having the most sustainable, earth-friendly bedding options is not just good for the planet, it’s good for your health, too. I wanted to share some of my favorite bedsheet options with you; there is a plethora of great organic, sustainable options out there.
Why go with sustainable bedding?
The short answer is that it’s healthier for you and the planet.
As I wrote in “The Kind Mama”, a lot of the products made for sleep — bedding, pillows, and mattresses — are doused in chemicals that can have a serious effect on our health and our babies’ health — not to mention on how well we sleep, which is a big deal given that we spend half our lives in bed.
Cotton, which most bed sheets are made from, is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world. According to the Rodale Institute, cotton crops use 16 percent of the world’s pesticides, despite making up just 2.5 percent of total cropland. Eighty percent of the most common pesticides used on cotton are recognized by the World Health Organization as moderately and highly hazardous. This makes conventional cotton less than ideal for human health and the environment. Pesticide exposure in humans has been linked to a number of serious health conditions including reproductive and metabolic issues and certain types of cancers.
Conventional sheets have chemicals in them. Like rayon and polyester and anything not natural. You want your body to be resting in natural materials that are also free of chemical flame retardants and other toxins. You need natural materials in order for that to happen. In my book, I also explained the issues with wrinkle-free” sheets. Along with most mattresses, these sheets can include formaldehyde—a known carcinogen linked to a host of health issues.
Sustainable materials, such as certified organic cotton, linen, or bamboo, reduce exposure to pesticides—that’s good for you and the planet! And when it comes to comfort, you can’t go wrong with sustainable bedding, either.
What to look for in nontoxic bedding
Look for sets made from unbleached, untreated organic—or eco-friendly fibers like linen, hemp, bamboo (make sure it’s organic and sustainably sourced).
Personally, I prefer linen sheets for the beautiful lived-in, chic look. They also tend to last longer and get softer and softer after each wash. Linen can also help to keep you cooler in the very hot weather—perfect for the coming summer season. Not only is linen durable and hypoallergenic, but it’s also made from flax, which is biodegradable. Linen is also anti-static, and may reduce pH levels and allergens due to the absorption, weave, and filtered nature of the fibers! Pretty cool! (Literally!)
Organic cotton is another great option. It’s definitely softer in feel at first and always gets even softer with washing. Cotton sheets may shrink if not hung dry, so save the energy and hang them! Organic cotton also helps warm up the body, making it perfect for the winter months. It also absorbs water and moisture. Typically, organic cotton sheets have an approximate lifespan of three to five years.
Pro tip: When you have an old, worn-out sheet, cut it up and turn it into kitchen towels! Reuse!
Here are some of my favorite sustainable bed sheets:
1. Organic Linen Vintage Feel Sheets: Matteo Home
2. Hypoallergenic Eucalyptus Sheets: Buffy
3. 100% Organic Cotton: Coyuchi
4. 100% Organic Linen: The Citizenry
5. 100% organic cotton: Boll and Branch
6. Linen fitted Sheet, Two Dawson
Want more info on bedding? Check out this post about the trouble with wool.
