Eco-Friendly Bed Sheet Brands for Your Good Night’s Sleep

Photo by Deconovo on Unsplash

However you look at it, conventional fabrics like polyester and cotton generate huge environmental impact.

From sourcing raw materials, to treating and dyeing, all the way to packaging and shipping – all these require considerable amounts of raw materials, electricity, water, and transport.

In our zero waste lifestyle, we usually start with rejecting fast fashion. After all, if we can help curb the 12 million tons of clothing dumped in landfills every year, why not right?

But we can prioritize (or save for) more eco friendly bed sheet brands. 

If you think about it, bed sheets are bigger pieces of fabrics. Coyuchi, an organic beddings brand, shared to Vogue that beddings account for around 10 million tons of textile waste in dumpsites across the U.S. annually!

You might say that’s too much, but this is consistent with how more frequent we dispose of textile products like our clothes.

Coyuchi’s survey of over 1,000 Americans found that among 1,000 American respondents, half of them purchase new beddings at least once a year.

And in another study, it was found that San Franciscans alone dump 4,500 pounds of cotton sheets to landfills every hour! And these aren’t even damaged linens that we send to the waste stream. They could be reused or recycled into packaging, insulation, or cushioning for insoles, bags, and stuffed toys. 

And if you’re using polyester bed sheets, every wash of these fabrics releases microplastics. These plastic particles, unfortunately, can get into our food, air, and water we drink!   

How to Pick Eco Friendly Bed Sheet Brands

Okay, so we know that sustainability means more than being eco-friendly (although caring for the environment is a big part of the deal).

Included in the practice is being fair to workers, ensuring that raw materials sourcing and production are ethical and not too destructive, and that the whole life cycle of a product is considered.

When you’re considering beddings for your bed, make sure to check these features:

Sustainable Materials

Cotton is a universal textile that’s mass-produced worldwide, and employs almost 250 million people worldwide. But it’s also one of the most unsustainable industries.

It’s a thirsty crop, and it doesn’t help that it is farmed in water-stress areas. Add to that the huge pesticide requirements that could pollute water systems and the natural environment.

And of course, there’s the slave trade history associated with it. Sadly, it’s still true in some parts of the world. Countries like India, Egypt and Uzbekistan have young children working in cotton fields.

What are the better alternatives?

Organic cotton

It has the same qualities as conventional cotton – breathable, inexpensive, and mass-produced – but it complies with certain guidelines. Organic cotton does not use any pesticides, and ideally should be Fair Trade. The only downside is that it still requires huge amounts of water.

Tencel, Lyocell, Modal and Refibra

It has many names, but this alternative textile is basically fabric made of wood fibers from eucalyptus, birch, or beech trees.

But don’t be wary of any tree-like texture. Lenzing AG’s Tencel is silky smooth. Oh, and we forgot to mention it’s moisture-wicking, antibacterial, shrink-resistant, and super absorbent, too.

Why is it a better option than cotton? Because these plant-based textiles demand far less energy and water. It’s a closed loop system that creates a more sustainable production stream.

Organic Hemp

If Tencel feels a little too processed for you, you could opt for organic hemp. Hemp is actually more durable than cotton, but is as breathable. And it’s manufactured without any harmful pollutants.

Take note that hemp sheets aren’t naturally white, and to make them so would need heavy chemicals for treatment. So pick more natural colors to make their production footprint even smaller. 

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus isn’t just for your vase arrangement. The silky fabric made from this plant has a lot of benefits: breathable, bacteria resistant, insect-resistant, and even naturally cooling.

Manufacturing eucalyptus textile lessens water requirements tenfold compared to cotton. And since you only need the leaves, the plant isn’t uprooted, continuing to grow into next season without new planting. Low maintenance, farming-wise.

All eucalyptus linens technically use the Tencel technology, but not all Tencel is eucalyptus.

If there’s any issue with this type of bedsheet, it’s the price. It could go from $200-500 depending on the size and type of bedding you’ll buy.

Sustainability Certifications

Depending on the material of your choice, there are third-party certifications that ensure the brand has met certain markers for it to be deemed sustainable.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, Cradle to Cradle, Fair Trade, MADE SAFE (for human health and ecosystem), Better Cotton Initiative, and Forest Stewardship Council are some of the stamps to look for.

Eco-Friendly Bed Sheet Brands: Our Top Picks

Do better for the environment, right from the comfort of your own bed. Here are our favorite sustainable linen brands for a good night’s sleep:

Avocado

Avocado is a popular handmade mattress brand based in California. Their premium natural mattresses are awesome, but their beddings are also worth trying out.

The sheet sets, pillowcases, duvet covers and inserts are made of GOTS-certified organic cotton or linen. All products are carbon negative, climate neutral, and Fair Trade certified.

Plus, the company donates 1% of their revenue on non-profits that focus on sustainability.

Price-wise, you could pick depending on your budget. Their 400-count organic cotton sheets are a good deal at $89. But if you can, splurge on their Organic Superfine Sheets. The 1,000-thread count almost guarantees a beautiful slumber each time.

Price Range: $19 - $670

Shop Avocado here.

Naturepedic

Naturepedic has been around for over a decade, producing organic mattresses that are free of toxic chemicals.

They’ve also created a good selection of high-quality beddings and accessories. The brand’s certifications include GOTS organic cotton, MADE SAFE, and Greenguard.

These guarantee that products are produced without synthetic insecticides, herbicides, and GMOs.

Our picks include their queen size sheet set, made of 400-count organic cotton. At $239 you get high quality sustainable linens. And the best part? They offer free shipping and returns, a 30-day trial, and payment plans. 

Price Range: $39 - $259

Shop Naturepedic here.

Coyuchi

Coyuchi started 25 years ago as a brand focused on organic farming and sustainable production of chemical-free fibers.

Their products are, “healthier for the home and healthier for all the elements we need to keep the Earth alive.” No toxic dyes and softeners here.

Coyuchi has a wide selection of beddings and throws. Score their organic cotton, percale linen, and even jersey sets to create a minimalist aesthetic. Aside from beddings, they also have luxurious blankets and throws that make for extra comfy living room lounging.

All are finely made, soft, breathable and eco-friendly.

Price Range: $38 - $598

Shop Coyuchi here.

The Takeaway

There are few things in life better than a restful night’s sleep. And sustainable bed sheet brands can be a big part of making that happen.

Even though they are a necessity and every home has them, beddings aren’t always prioritized when going zero waste.

Now that we have an idea of how costly for the environment these conventional cotton and synthetic fibers are, we can then consider more sustainable options for our linens.

Sure, a lot of these sustainable brands are more expensive, but they’re also more dedicated to implementing closed-loop processes for these premium products.

It’s a worthwhile switch for sure. 

Have you tried any of these suggestions? What’s your go-to brand for sustainable beddings? Share with us in the comments section.