Tangled in the (Organic) Sheets - My Favorite Safe, Organic Bedding and Mattresses
Ok, so you want to make healthier choices and remove some toxins from your life. Why not start with where the average person spends 26 years of their life - sleeping! There are a lot of options and some confusing abbreviations, but I've done my best to simplify it all. From mattresses and pillows to sheets and duvets, I've broken down the certifications and materials you should look for and picked some of my favorite brands. You're welcome :)
Certifications
The Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) ensures that all certified latex products are not only natural and at least 95% organic in origin, but that they follow a traceable path of environmentally and ethically sound practices from beginning to end.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) - stipulates requirements throughout the supply chain for both ecology and labour conditions in textile and apparel manufacturing using organically produced raw materials. Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic, persistent pesticides and fertilizers. In addition, organic production relies on adequate animal husbandry and excludes genetic modification.
OEKO-TEX® Made in Green - tested for harmful substances and which have been manufactured under sustainable and socially responsible conditions
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 - All types of textiles that have been tested for harmful substances, from yarns to the finished product
MADE SAFE® - America’s first nontoxic seal for products we use every day, from baby to personal care to household and beyond. We certify that products you use on your body, with your family, and in your home are made with safe ingredients not known or suspected to harm human health - free from: Behavioral toxins, Carcinogens, Developmental toxins, Endocrine disruptors, Fire retardants, Heavy metals, Neurotoxins, High-risk pesticides, Reproductive toxins, Toxic solvents, and Harmful VOCs
GREENGUARD - gives assurance that products designed for use in indoor spaces meet strict chemical emissions limits, which contribute to the creation of healthier interiors
GREENGUARD Gold - offers stricter certification criteria, considers safety factors to account for sensitive individuals (such as children and the elderly), and ensures that a product is acceptable for use in environments such as schools and healthcare facilities
Fair Trade - ensures support for responsible companies, empowers farmers, workers, and fishermen, and protects the environment
FLOCERT - global certification body for Fairtrade
CertiPUR-US® - foams free from: ozone depleters, PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (”Tris”) flame retardants, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million)
eco-INSTITUT - products are reliably low in emissions (outgassing) and hazardous substances
Sheets, Duvets, and other Bedding
Coyuchi - They are organic and GOTS, GOLS, MADE SAFE® and Fair Trade certified. 1% of their profits goes directly to their partners at Fibershed. So far, the network has raised hundreds of millions of dollars to support nonprofits working hard to protect the planet. They have a subscription program where you can update your linens according to the schedule of your choice. Also, when customers are ready to get rid of their Coyuchi products, they can send them back to the company and they will be recycled. Pretty cool, huh?
Magic Linen - Each MagicLinen product is carefully designed and handcrafted in Vilnius, Lithuania, Oeko-Tex certified meaning they are absolutely absent from harmful substances, they choose to be completely transparent and invested in third-party testing and chemicals.
Plover - This brand was started by 2 sisters-in-law (#girlpower). They have partnered with Save the Children to donate blankets to babies who have become unexpectedly vulnerable by disasters, emergencies and conflict. Plover will match every $10 donated to purchase a blanket to keep a baby warm and safe. Their products are GOTS and Oeko-Tex® certified and all of their dyes are reclaimed and not released as effluent into rivers or the sea. They offer other home goods but their sheets come in such fun prints and colors!
Brooklinen - They sell it all - sheets, duvets, towels, robes, and other accessories. Their percale and sateen sheets are is OEKO-TEX® certified for chemical safety and made from 100% long staple cotton. Their linen sheets are 100% Linen, made from Belgian and French Flax and OEKO-TEX® certified for chemical safety.
Boll and Branch - They sell it all, too - sheets, duvets, mattresses, linens, and more! Their sheets are 100% organic cotton, and they were the first Fair Trade Certified™ manufacturer of linens. They boat our goods, so they have saved 21,252 metric tons of carbon emissions. 100% of our packaging is made from recycled paper and can be recycled and/or repurposed - pretty cool, right?
Parachute - So many color options! They are Oeko-Tex® certified, meaning their products are safely made without any harmful chemicals or synthetic. They also partner with the United Nation’s Nothing But Nets campaign to send life-saving malaria-prevention bed nets to those in need. They are also female-founded! #girlpower
SOL Organics - They are FLO, GOTS, Oeko-Tex® and Fair Trade certified, use only 100% organic long-staple cotton, grown from non-GMO cottonseeds, and work to reduce their carbon footprint
Looma - They sell sheets and duvets, all made of 100% Organic, Long-staple Himalayan Cotton. For every set sold, they directly sponsor a student at Hanuman Girls' School in rural India - pretty cool, right? They are GOTS and Oeko-Tex®-certified with all of their cotton organically grown, hand picked.
Flax Linen - They sell sheets and duvets, all a variety of colors. You can also order made to measure custom sheets. Their linen is 'Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified' pure flax linen. They also offer baby sheets and throw blankets.
Brentwood Home - they use GOLS certified latex, GOTS certified wool and cotton, buckwheat, kapok, and are GREENGUARD Certified. All of their sheets are MADE SAFE® Non-Toxic Certified™ — a rigorous screening process for toxicity, as well as OEKO-TEX® certified. All of their sheets are pre-washed and processed to maintain a neutral pH level providing safe touch to the skin. Additionally, their manufacturing process reduces water and electricity consumption. Mother Earth is pretty pleased about this!
Mattresses
Toxic materials found in typical mattresses: chemical flame retardants (many of which are known carcinogens), phthalates, heavy metals, and formaldehyde - all of which we are breathing in as we sleep. Yikes!
Naturepedic - They are certified by just about every organization out there - GOTS, GOLS, MADE SAFE®, and Rainforest Alliance among others. They use only organic materials and no no flame retardants, glues, or any other chemicals. They offer a few different mattresses so you can find the right one for you - they even have crib and kid's mattresses. They offer a 20 year warranty, too. The only real downside here is the high price tag.
Awara - so they only have the one mattress, but it's a pretty darn good one. The mattress is made of organic cotton, humanely-sourced New Zealand Wool, natural Dunlop latex foam with a premium coil support core. They have a few bedframe options as well. They also have a detailed chart comparing their mattress to others (some are on this list, some aren't) - you can find that chart here. Their pricing is definitely the most reasonable.
Brentwood Home - they use GOLS certified latex, GOTS certified wool and cotton, buckwheat, kapok, and are GREENGUARD Certified. All of their foam is eco-INSTITUT and CertiPUR-US certified. They have a variety of mattresses so there is something for everyone! They also offer a 1-year sleep trial - yep, you can use the mattress for a year and if you don't love it, then they will work with you to have the mattress picked up or donated to a local charity. They also offer free shipping, returns, and in-home delivery.
Avocado - Their green mattress is made with GOLS organic certified latex, GOTS organic certified wool, GOTS organic certified cotton, and up to 1,414 pocketed support coils. No polyester, polyurethane foams, or toxic fire retardants are used. They also have a vegan mattress made without wool. They carry sheets, pillows, and mattress covers/toppers, too.
Sleep on Latex - Located in Chicago, their Pure Green® Latex Foam contains only natural latex and never any synthetic latex, fillers or fire retardants. They are certified by both Oeko-Tex® and eco-Institut. They carry a mattress, pillow, and mattress topper - all made of latex. They offer a 100 day trial with free returns and a 10 year warranty. Each mattress is hand sewn, assembled and packaged in their factory in the Chicago suburbs.
Happsy - They are certified by just about every organization out there - GOTS, GOLS, MADE SAFE®, GREENGUARD GOLD, and Rainforest Alliance among others. They also give back and work with various charities to make our world a better place. They only have the one mattress, but with all of these certifications, one is all you need! They offer a 120-Night Trial with free shipping and returns along with a 20 year warranty.
PlushBeds - They offer mattresses, adjustable beds, mattress toppers, and bedding. Their mattresses are made of either organic latex or memory foam, free from all chemicals and toxins with no off-gassing or odors. Each material has a number of styles and options. They even have mattresses for sofa beds and RV beds. They are GREENGUARD Gold Certified and CertiPur-US Certified (foam). Their foam mattresses also sleep cooler.
Pillows
Here are the deets: Best fills are GOTS certified organic cotton, Dunlop latex, organic buckwheat, organic kapok, organic wool, natural latex, buckwheat hull, down/feather (not from China), and Kapok are better
OrganicTextiles - they have a number of pillow options as well as sheets, robes, duvets, and mattress covers. I like their contour pillow for neck support. It is GOTS and GOLS Certified and has an ergonomic design. It is made from eco-harvested rubber trees using the Dunlop production process since it is the most energy efficient method of producing latex foam. No off-gassing, Hypo-allergenic & resistant to dust mites, bacteria, mold & bugs.
Hullo - made from Certified Organic Twill fabric and filled with Buckwheat Hull Filling Grown and Milled in the USA. The cover is OEKO-TEX and GOTS -certified, but their buckwheat is not certified organic. Buckwheat grows very well without requiring noxious fertilizers or pesticides that are commonly used for other crops, so it isn't incredibly necessary to use organic. Buckwheat-filled pillows are supposed to be great for neck support.
Avocado - their green pillow is GOLS organic certified latex and GOTS organic certified Kapok fill, wrapped in a GOTS organic certified cotton cover. It delivers a natural, fresh, medium-plush feel. GREENGUARD Gold certified, Vegan, and handmade in Los Angeles.
Coop Home Goods - You can adjust the fill by adding the insert they include. The pillow is wrapped in bamboo-derived viscose rayon and polyester and is GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US certified
Naturepedic - there are a few options here: organic cotton outer fabric with PLA filling (made from non-GMO sugarcane) - GREENGUARD and GOLS-certified
Birch - Organic cotton, wool and natural latex pillow handmade in the USA - GREENGUARD Gold & GOTS Certified. They also sell mattresses and an organic mattress topper.
Whew! That's a lot of info to take in - I hope you're not feeling overwhelmed! Just remember: you don't need to change everything at once. Start with one item and go from there! Let me know how your non-toxic bed is coming along.
You can also check out this post for other ways to make your home more eco-friendly and safer for both you and the environment!