Sustainable and Low-Tox Bedding – Sheets That Will Make You Want To Stay in Bed
Are you looking to get the best sleep of your life while also doing better for the environment? Keep reading to see my top picks for the best sustainable and low-tox bedding!
This post contains affiliate links.
Why Choose Better Bedding?
Whether you’re renovating your bedroom or simply replacing worn-out linens, there are many reason to opt for more sustainable options. The average person spends a total of 2,920 hours in their bed per year (based on getting 8 hours of sleep per night). That’s quite a big chunk of time! When you’re spending so much time in one spot in your home, it’s not a bad idea to think about improving the quality of the time spent there. That’s why a good bed set-up is such a great thing to invest in.
In general, sustainable and non-toxic bedding is better for your health, better for the planet, and in the long run it can be better for your wallet. Most of the sheets, pillowcases, comforters, and duvet covers in stores today are made with synthetic materials, which don’t always have the same durability as natural fibers. These synthetic materials are basically different forms of plastic, which can be harmful to your health and the environment. You want your bedding to allow you to breathe, and it’s tough to do that when you’re sleeping in a plastic bag!
When selecting sustainable bedding, you’ll want to consider your preferences in terms of material, thread count, and design, just like you would with any other bedding! Whether you prefer crisp percale or silky sateen, there are sustainable options available for every preference. Also, don’t forget to check out accessories such as duvet covers, pillowcases, and mattress toppers, which can also be sourced sustainably and ethically to complete your eco-friendly sleep sanctuary.
Bedding That’s Better for The Planet
Did you know that most bedding on the market is made of plastic? 🤢 Yes, most people are sleeping in beds that are basically bags of plastic. Polyester is the most commonly known and used manmade fabric today. You see it in clothes, accessories, and all sorts of other goods. Most of the sheets, pillowcases, comforters, duvet covers, and throw pillows in stores today are created mostly using synthetic materials like polyester.
Synthetic fabrics shed all sorts of chemicals and microplastics as they are washed and used. These microplastics are a huge problem for human and environmental health. When you choose natural fibers like cotton or linen over polyester, you avoid the shedding of synthetic materials, PFAS, and other harmful irritants that are not good for aquatic life and the environment.
The material your bedding is made out of is just as important as what it’s treated with. When possible, look for brands that use natural dyes and treat the fabric using non-toxic methods. Bedding and sheets that are made with natural fibers and dyes will break down over time, and in some cases you can even compost these types of materials. What you wash your sheets in is important too, but that info will come in a future blog post (;
The Value of High-Quality Fabrics
Fabrics that are high quality not only are better for you, but they typically last longer too. It’s important to choose fabrics that are made to withstand the test of time so you don’t have to purchase new sheets as often. Even though they might be more expensive than other options, you’re getting the most bang for your buck when you go for a quality option.
Lots of sustainable and non-toxic bedding brands use natural fabrics such as:
- Lyocell
- Tencel
- Organic Cotton
- Bamboo
- Linen
- Flax
Some of them even utilize recycled fabrics and recycled plastics. When choosing bedding, it’s important to remember that just because it’s “sustainable” does not mean it’s non-toxic. Look for what the bedding is dyed with, non-toxic certifications, and what the recycled products consist of. I know sleeping in bedding made of recycled bottles sounds like a great second life for those plastics! But consider the potential microplastics and chemicals that are produced when bottles are shredded. That doesn’t sound like an ideal situation to be sleeping in.
Support Ethically Made
Ethically made typically means that workers involved in its production are treated fairly, with safe working conditions, reasonable hours, and livable wages. Unfortunately, conventional textile production often involves exploitative practices, including child labor and poor working environments. By purchasing ethically made bedding, you support brands prioritizing fair labor practices.
Ethically made sheets and bedding are often crafted with care, resulting in higher quality products that are built to last. Cheap, mass-produced bedding may lose its softness, fade, or wear out after a few washes, which can lead to you replacing things more often. Ethical brands focus on durability and craftsmanship, which means your bedding stays comfortable and functional for years, saving money and reducing waste in the long run.
Like many things within the eco-conscious living space, there is a lot of crossover. Many brands that focus on sustainable practices also have high ethical values, but don’t always assume that that’s the case! Many brands can also say that they’re “ethical”, but not have any certifications to prove it, so beware of greenwashing. I recommend doing research on a brand to make sure they align with your values and what you’re looking for. Luckily, I took some of the work out for you by sharing some of those details for the brands mentioned below (:
The Connection Between Your Bed and Your Health
As already mentioned, most bedding on the market is made with synthetic fibers, which are not exactly health promoting as they don’t allow your skin to breathe. Not only that, but conventional bedding often contains harmful chemicals like:
- formaldehyde
- pesticides
- synthetic dyes
- flame retardants
- phthalates and PFAS
These chemicals can irritate your skin, trigger allergies, and even disrupt your respiratory system. Non-toxic bedding, made with natural and organic materials can limit your exposure and reduce risks. Companies also don’t have to disclose to you what their products are treated with. That’s where certifications can come in handy, and why it’s important to research before you buy.
Synthetic bedding can also harbor allergens like dust mites and mold, which thrive in non-breathable fabrics. Sustainable materials are often naturally hypoallergenic and are more breathable than man-made fibers. When you switch to better bedding, you may experience relief in skin issues and allergies, and overall better, deeper sleep. Something else that can help with this is “un-making” the bed in the morning. Doing this for a few hours can help reduce trapped heat and moisture. See the Instagram post below for details! 👇🏻
You spend a lotttt of time in your bed. People may not even realize at first that it could be something that is contributing to their health issues. It’s a detail that’s often overlooked, but our environments play a huge role in our overall health. Swapping your bedding for healthier options is a simple switch that could make a big difference.
Now that you’re an expert on all things related to eco-conscious bedding, let’s get into where you can find sheets, pillows, and bed accessories that will help turn your bed into your favorite cozy spot in the house. Below I break down the best brands, products, and even sustainable and ethical certifications.
The Best Brands for Sustainable and Low-Tox Bedding
Ettitude
If you asked which one of these brands is my favorite, it’s this one. Ettitude is an incredible company that makes a high-quality product. They use organic Lyocell fabric for the majority of their products, which is made from bamboo. This is by far the softest bedding that I have tried! The fabric has a cooling feel, making it perfect for summer or for those who get too hot during the night. Sustainability-wise, ettitude is setting industry standards. They use organic fabrics, non-toxic dyes, and are transparent about their production processes.
Ettitude’s Certifications and Specs
- Part of 1% For The Planet
- FSC certified bamboo
- Donate 1% of their annual sales to multiple environmental partners
Ettitude also has a “re:new” program that focuses on giving life back to lightly used products so they can be sold and used again. They even take back your sheets at the end of their life to be recycled. I hope to see more companies adopt similar closed-loop systems!
Here are a few products I personally own from this brand:
- Sheet Set and Duvet Cover in the color Moss (on our master)
- Sheet Set and Duvet Cover in the color Almond (on our guest bed)
- Sateen Sleep Mask
- Waffle Towels (not bedding related, but these are in our bathroom!)
If you’re looking to try Ettitude, you can use code SUSTAINABLEKAY for a discount!
Pact
You’ll notice that higher quality bedding sometimes comes with a higher price tag. Pact is one of the more affordable eco-minded options out there for bed sheets and accessories. They are well-known for their organic cotton products. I personally love their leggings, bras, and undies too (:
Pact’s Certifications and Specs
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
- Fair Trade
- Carbon Neutral
You can use code SUSTAINABLEKAY for a discount on their site!
Parachute
This is a brand I have yet to try, but in my research for the best bedding brands, I discovered that Parachute should definitely be mentioned. They offer a wide variety of natural fiber sheets and bed accessories. They even have a foam-free mattress made with wool and cotton.
Parachute’s Certifications and Specs
- GOTS certified cotton
- OKEO-TEX Certified
- Recycled fabrics
- Eco-friendly shipping materials
- In-store recycling program
Avocado
This brand is more commonly known for their high-quality mattresses and pillows. They also have bed frames made with responsibly harvested wood.
Avocado’s Certifications and Specs
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
- GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard)
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified wood
- USDA Certified Biobased (body and self-care products)
- Mattresses, pillows, and bedding contain at least 95% organic content
- Natural materials, factory in LA, and finished product are all certified organic (which is huge!)
Our mattress, bed frame, and pillows are all from Avocado. We got their vegan mattress 4 years ago and it feels the same as when we first bought it. The quality is by far better than other brands! I am OBSESSED with our bed, and if I had to pick, our mattress is probably my favorite part about it.
Unfortunately, I do not have a discount code with Avocado, but my link is an affiliate link. If you purchase from them, I appreciate you using it! (:
Buffy
Buffy has a wide range of sustainable bedding options. Their most popular products are their cloud comforter and wiggle pillow. They also have a machine-washable pet bed!
Buffy’s Certifications and Specs
- Use of recycled fabrics and natural fibers
- Recycled fabrics are either GRS (Global Recycling Standard) or RCS (Recycled Claims Standard) Certified
- Goals to be CO2 neutral and have a closed loop system by 2030
We personally have the Cloud comforter on our master bed. We’ve had it for over three years now, and it looks and feels just like it did when we bought it. It’s not suuuper fluffy, I’d say it’s got medium fluff, and it’s great for all seasons.
Bearaby
Bearaby makes all sorts of sleep and comfort accessories from weighted blankets to warmable pillows. I’ve tried out other weighted blankets, and I can honestly say the Bearaby ones I own are by far the best. They keep you warm but are also super breathable since they’re a chunky knit. I like that they have different weights and tons of different colors to choose from! Their “tree” line is the most eco-friendly of their products and features Tencel fabric made from bamboo.
Bearaby’s Certifications and Specs
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
- OKEO-TEX Certified
- Use of organic cotton and Lyocell
I sadly do not have a discount code with Bearaby, but my link is an affiliate link. If you purchase from them, I appreciate you using it! (:
Check out how I use my Bearaby blanket in my holistic nighttime routine:
Quince
Quince is a brand well-known for their sustainable clothing and ethics. They also have bedding that is high-quality and made of natural fibers. They carry sheets, pillowcases, quilts, duvet covers, and inserts, so they’re basically a one-stop shop. I really like the design of their duvet covers and inserts because they have ties on all four corners AND sides of the cover, which helps secure it in place even more and reduces damage that can happen overtime. Some of the materials they use are linen, organic cotton, and bamboo.
Quince’s Certifications and Specs
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)
- OKEO-TEX Certified
- Use of organic materials, like cotton and linen
- RWS (Responsible Wood Standard) Certified
If you’re looking to upgrade your bedding, opt for something not only high quality but better for your health and the planet. I highly recommend putting some of these brands on your list! Be sure to follow me on Instagram as I’ll be keeping you up to date with any sales and promotions that pop up for some of the brands mentioned (: Let me know if you have any questions!
