Sustainable bedding isn’t just beneficial to the environment – it also has plenty of benefits for you, too. This type of bedding is better for the environment and provides you with an exceptionally soft, hypoallergenic way to get a great night’s sleep. If you’re thinking of switching to sustainable sheets, there are a few important things to know. This guide has some tips and helpful information that will show you how to choose the right sustainable sheets, and how to care for your new bedding so it lasts for years to come.
Like other sustainable textiles, sustainable sheets are made from eco-friendly fabrics that come from materials that are sustainably grown, harvested, and processed. Sustainable sheets are made from materials using plants that are safe and easy to grow and won’t contribute to things like deforestation, pollution, or excess waste.
Your circadian rhythm, AKA your internal clock, is famously responsible for regulating sleep patterns, but did you know it also controls your body temperature? As you wind down for bed, you begin to thermoregulate, which is a fancy way of saying that your core body temperature drops by a few degrees.
These sheets are also made without the use of harsh, toxic chemicals that aren’t just bad for the environment, but also bad for humans, too. Thanks to the use of clean materials and an eco-friendly production process, sustainable sheets are much safer than traditional synthetic bedding. While products like sustainable cotton or sustainable linen sheets may cost more, they’re certainly worth the investment in your health and well-being.
There are many reasons why choosing
sustainable sheets over traditional bedding is beneficial. Here are just some of the reasons why sustainable sheets are a smart choice for your bedroom:
Sustainable bedding requires much less water to make than traditional bedding, so it saves water. Recent studies have shown that water is becoming a much more valuable and limited resource in many parts of the world due to climate change and other factors. Making sustainable bedding also doesn’t require the use of additives like microplastics, synthetic dyes, and heavy metals, and it doesn’t require other pollutants like dangerous processing chemicals that can enter the soil, waterways, and even humans’ drinking water.
These chemicals can harm humans, animals, fish, and plant life once they enter the environment. Materials like nylon and polyester take much more water, equipment, and chemicals to produce, resulting in detrimental effects on the environment. When you choose to use sustainable sheets and other sustainable bedding, you’re helping to increase the demand for these products while reducing the demand for non-sustainable products. Doing so also helps to lower your personal carbon footprint.
Choosing sustainable sheets also has some health benefits, including:
Buying sustainable sheets and other products also helps to promote a better world. Thanks to little waste, fewer emissions, and fewer pollutants, making sustainable bedding ensures that everyone living on the planet has a safe, clean place to live.
Ethical companies that make sustainable products also provide workers with a living wage so they can care for themselves and their families. Over time, these industries help to support a better, safer, and fairer society as a whole.
Several different plant-based materials can be used to make sustainable sheets, including hemp, organic cotton, linen, bamboo, and eucalyptus. Organic, sustainable cotton sheets are produced without the use of chemicals, fertilizers, pesticides, or any genetic modifications. This not only presents a lower risk to people, livestock, and wildlife, but it also eliminates these additives from getting into the air, water, and soil. Cotton is grown in a healthy environment also requires less water to grow than cotton grown using the additives mentioned above.
Linen is also an excellent choice for sustainable sheets. This material comes from the flax plant and is stronger than cotton. The entire flax plant can be woven into a fiber, leaving no waste behind. Linen sheets last for years and give you a safe, soft bedding option that adds a luxurious look and feel to the bedroom. Hemp, bamboo, and eucalyptus are other examples of safe, sustainable alternatives, but linen and cotton tend to be the most sought-after materials for most consumers.
In addition to the absence of chemicals used to produce sustainable bedding, these products are also much softer to the touch, and they’re also hypoallergenic when compared to traditional bedding materials. Because synthetic cotton is made with a range of chemicals, these toxins can seep into the skin and can also be breathed in while you sleep. Using traditional bedding may result in respiratory problems or skin issues like rash, redness, and itchiness over time. Choosing sustainable bedding is much safer for your health, the environment, and your home. Many forms of synthetic fabric can also potentially emit a strange “chemical-like” odor, even after multiple washings.
You may ask, how do I know if a sheet is truly sustainable? Fortunately, there are some guidelines set in place that are designed to help consumers make the right choice when it comes to their bedding and other products.
Start by looking for certifications and labels like Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX and Better Cotton Initiative. Bedding labeled as OEKO-TEX certified means that it is guaranteed to be completely free of harmful substances that may be dangerous to human health. Any product that receives this certification has undergone rigorous testing under very stringent standards, so you can feel good knowing that your new sheets and other bedding are safe if they bear this label.
Products with the Better Cotton Initiative seal have been tested by the nonprofit group, Better Cotton. This group promotes better standards in cotton framing and practices across 21 countries and currently accounts for approximately 14 percent of all global cotton production. Fair Trade Certified products undergo a sustainable sourcing model that helps to improve livelihoods, protect the environment, and build more transparent and resilient supply chains.
Companies that make products that partner with Fair Trade USA are committed to helping build stronger communities all over the world while protecting the planet in the process. When choosing sustainable sheets, make sure that they bear specific labels like these to ensure that you’re getting the real deal.
So, are sustainable sheets more expensive than traditional sheets? In most cases, sustainable bedding will cost more than traditional bedding, sheets included. Because of the careful process used to make this type of bedding and the elimination of chemicals and other processes that normally speed up production times, you may notice that sustainable sheets cost more.
In general, linen sheets tend to cost more than cotton. However, both of these sheet materials are also designed to last much longer than traditional bedding. The fibers are also stronger, which means your sheets should hold up for a long time in the future. Even if it costs more upfront, your sustainable sheets will be a long-term investment in your health and your quality of sleep. This means that the long-term benefits of choosing sustainable sheets far outweigh the initial cost.
Most sustainable sheets are machine washable, but it’s important to make sure that you read the care tag carefully and follow the care instructions to prolong the life of your sheets.
You may ask, how do I care for my sustainable sheets to ensure they last a long time? Start by washing them on the gentle cycle either on their own or with other fabrics in similar colors (light or dark) so the colors don’t bleed. Always use a mild liquid laundry detergent free of additional fragrances and other additives. When drying your sustainable sheets, put them on the low heat cycle or hang them outside to dry. Some natural fibers, like linen, may shed at first but the shedding should stop after a few washes.
Sustainable bedding is a smart investment, so it’s important to know how to extend the life of your sheets for long-term enjoyment. Here are some tips to ensure that you get the most out of your new sheets:
Fortunately, your old sheets don’t have to end up in a landfill – at least not right away. Here are some ways you can recycle, repurpose, or dispose of old sheets in a responsible manner.
Now that you’re familiar with what sustainable sheets are and how they’re different from traditional bedding, you can decide if they’re the right choice for you. Look for bedding made using sustainable materials and practices and keep an eye out for labels that certify your bedding as safe and sustainable. Remember to take good care of your sheets and practice regular maintenance of your bedding so your investment lasts a long time. At Or & Zon, we offer exceptionally high-quality, sustainable sheet sets, quilts, pillow covers, and much more. Our goal is to provide you with products that are good for you and the environment, so be sure to explore our range of products today.
