The textile industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, so it’s important to make sure that we start to counteract this with ethical bedding and clothing.
Textile production is often very damaging to the environment, so it’s important to buy organic produce whenever possible.
When it comes to bedding, there are a few things you need to look out for.
In this article, we’ll take you through what these are and how you can ensure that you purchase organic bedding. Doing so will enable you to contribute towards sustainable living.
We’ll also answer common questions relating to ethical bedding, materials used, and which brands will enable you to sleep at night knowing you’ve done your bit for the environment!
So, without further ado, let’s get into this Ultimate Ethical Bedding Guide.
What is Sustainable Bedding and what Does it Mean?
Before we take you through our list of brands selling ethical bedding, we feel it’s important to clarify what sustainable actually means in this context.
There are a few key ways in which you can tell whether bedding is sustainable or not.
Firstly, ethical bedding will be organic, meaning that the materials used to make the bedding have been grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides.
Secondly, ethical bedding will be made from natural materials, such as cotton, wool, or bamboo.
Synthetic materials, such as polyester, are not environmentally friendly, and therefore companies producing ethical bedding will avoid them wherever possible.
Sustainable bedding is made of organic and natural materials that come from ethical and sustainable sources.
It’s important to buy sustainable bedding because the production of conventional bedding materials often involves the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides.
What is the most sustainable fabric for bedding?
There are a number of sustainable fabrics used in bedding, each with its own benefits.
It is important to consider the environmental impact of each fabric.
Whichever sustainable fabric you choose, make sure to check that it is certified organic or ethical.
Doing so enables you to understand whether or not the manufacturer has met certain production standards relating to the use of organic cotton and sustainable dyes.
Below, we have listed a number of fabrics and materials used to produce eco-friendly bedding.
Organic Cotton
This is a natural fibre made from the cotton plant. It is grown without pesticides or herbicides and is biodegradable.
What is Certified Organic Cotton?
In order to be certified, the cotton has to be 100% organic, meaning it is free of chemicals and pesticides.
GOTS Certified Organic Cotton is grown from organic seeds that have been treated with chemicals, then it is blended with conventional cotton to create the textile.
Therefore, GOTS-certified organic cotton is considered high-quality textile because of its stringent production standards.
Recycled cotton
Recycled cotton is cotton that has been recycled from old clothes and other items.
It is blended with new materials to make a fabric that is durable yet eco-friendly. You could repurpose your old clothing into ethical bedding by recycling them!
Linen
This is a natural fabric made from the flax plant. It is durable and long-lasting and can be composted at the end of its life.
Silk
Silk is a luxurious, sustainable fabric made from the silkworm. The cocoons are boiled, and the resulting liquid is used to make the silk.
No harmful byproducts are created in the production of silk. Furthermore, it is biodegradable and can be composted at the end of its life.
Bamboo
This is a sustainable fabric made from the pulp of bamboo trees. It is biodegradable and naturally antibacterial, making it a popular choice for those with sensitive skin.
Hemp
This material is very durable and has antimicrobial properties, making it an ideal option for bedding.
Hemp requires no pesticides or herbicides to grow, which makes its production sustainable.
Wool
Wool is a natural fibre that comes from sheep and is commonly found in organic bedding. It is biodegradable and can be composted at the end of its life.
What is Certified Organic Wool?
Ecological or organic wool is similar to organic cotton in that it’s grown without the use of chemicals and pesticides.
It’s also biodegradable, so when your sleeping bag eventually starts to wear out you can dispose of it without any guilt.
Modal
Modal is a sustainable fabric made from the fibres of beech trees. It is biodegradable and has a high absorbency, making it a popular choice for bedding.
Our Favourite Organic Bedding Brands
In this section, we will look at brands producing ethical bedding.
As you’ll see, there are plenty of ethical bedding brands out there.
Some avoid using chemicals and pesticides, while others use organic materials like cotton or wool.
Whichever ethical bedding brand you choose, you can be sure that you’re making a responsible choice.
Here are some of our favourites:
Rise & Fall
Rise & Fall is a luxury bedding brand that uses sustainable practices in the making of its products.
The company ensures that all of its materials are eco-friendly, organic, or recycled.
Rise & Fall’s cotton comes from Fairtrade sources, meaning it has met production standards to ensure the safety and welfare of workers in fairtrade factories.
It is also free from any harmful pesticides or chemicals.
Rise & Fall is based in the UK. Their bedding is available to purchase from Riseandfall.co and ethicalsuperstore.com.
Lily & Mortimer
Lily & Mortimer is a luxury bedding and home accessories brand that uses only the finest, sustainable materials in its products.
Founded in 2008, the company believes that we all have a responsibility to protect our environment.
All of Lily & Mortimer’s cotton is organic and sourced from Fairtrade certified farms. These are monitored to ensure that no harm is done to the workers or the environment.
The company also uses bamboo, wool, and modal in its products.
Furthermore, the cotton used is free from harmful chemicals and pesticides.
Lily & Mortimer’s products are available to purchase online from lilyandmortimer.com, as well as amazon.co.uk.
Under the Canopy
Under the Canopy is another ethical bedding company known for its double duvet covers and pillowcases.
They are made from 100% organic cotton and are Fairtrade certified. The company was founded in 2007 by two friends who were looking for a more ethical way to bed down.
Under the canopy sources all of its cotton from India, where the Fairtrade organisation works with cotton farmers to provide ethical conditions for workers.
The covers are handmade in the UK by seamstresses who are paid a good wage and have access to free healthcare.
Under the Canopy double duvet cover prices range from £140-£160.
They have won several awards for ethical practice, including Positive Luxury’s ethical brand of the year award in 2015.
Avocado Green Mattress
Avocado Green Mattress is another one of these organic bedding brands we’d like to discuss.
Since 2010, this green bedding company has demonstrated its commitment to the environment.
All of its products, such as quilts, eucalyptus sheets, and pillows, are made from organic materials such as modal and wool.
As highlighted above, all of these products are free of any kind of harmful chemicals or pesticides.
Their covers are made in the UK by fair-trade workers in a safe, supportive environment.
Avocado Green Mattress double duvet covers are available to purchase from avocadogreenmattress.co.uk.
For prices, please visit the website.
Nimbus
Nimbus doesn’t appear to have a website, however their products are available to purchase online from multiple U.K retailers. Click here to see their products.
Nimbus is a textile company that specialises in organic bedding and clothing.
The company was founded in Denmark in 2004 with the belief that organic, sustainable materials are key to a healthy environment.
All of Nimbus’ products are made from organic cotton, linen, or wool.
The cotton is sourced from India, where the Fairtrade organisation ensures that workers are treated fairly.
The wool is from New Zealand, where the company has a partnership with the Woolmark Company to ensure responsible and sustainable farming practices.
Prices start at just £36.
Boll & Branch
Boll & Branch is a U.S based ethical bedding company that sells luxury bedding online.
The company first opened its doors as a textile store in New York City, where it has been selling its luxurious products since 2010.
All of Boll & Branch’s products are made from organic cotton. Furthermore, all of the cotton is sourced from farms that have been certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard.
The company is also a member of the Fairtrade Foundation, which means that all of its cotton is sourced from Fairtrade certified farms.
Prices for a double duvet cover start at $228.
Boll & Branch products are available to purchase online from bollandbranch.com, amazon.com, and overstock.com.
Dip & Doze
Dip & Doze Fairtrade Bedding is based in the North of England.
The company was founded in 2006 with a mission to provide affordable, organic bedding to the masses.
Dip & Doze works with a network of Fairtrade certified farmers across India, who grow the cotton used in all of the company’s products.
The cotton is then made into organic, fairtrade bedding in the company’s UK factory.
Dip & Doze offers multiple products, including bed linen, linen sheets, quilts, duvets, and pillowcases.
The price for a double duvet cover starts at £120.
For more information about Dip & Doze, please visit dipanddoze.co.uk
Looma Organic Bed Sheets
Looma is a bedding company that prides itself on being ethical, sustainable, and organic.
The company was founded in 2007 with a mission to provide the world with healthy and sustainable bedding.
Looma’s products are made from 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton. GOTS is the strictest global certification standard for organic textile products.
It means that all of the cotton used in Looma’s products has been grown without the use of any harmful fertilisers, pesticides, or herbicides.
Looma products are available to purchase online from looma.co.uk and amazon.co.uk.
Prices start at £24 for a single duvet cover, which is significantly lower than many other companies listed.
Urban Collective
Urban Collective is an ethical textile company that was founded to provide high-quality bed linen for urban customers.
Urban Collective is based in the United Kingdom.
The company offers a range of bedding products, including ethically sourced organic sheets, quilts, duvet covers, and pillowcases.
Urban Collective products are made from 100% organic cotton with a GOTS certification.
Furthermore, each product is carefully crafted in European textile mills to ensure the highest possible quality.
The price for a double duvet cover is approx. £160, with free shipping available worldwide.
The Citizenry Organic Sheets & Bedding
The Citizenry is a globally inspired home decor brand with a popular ethical bedding range.
Based in the United Kingdom, The Citizenry works with textile producers in China, India and Italy.
The company ensures that it takes responsibility for the entire textile production process by partnering with producers who operate under safe and ethical conditions.
To ensure ultimate comfort, all of The Citizenry’s organic sheets are GOTS certified and free of toxic dyes or harmful chemicals.
Furthermore, The Citizenry is a certified B-Corp, meaning that the company meets rigorous social and environmental standards.
The price for a double duvet cover starts at £160.
The Citizenry products are available to purchase online from thecitizenry.com and amazon.co.uk.
Sustainable Bedding 101: FAQs
In this section, we will provide answers to common questions and misconceptions relating to eco-friendly materials and ethical bedding.
You may have come across various terms and textiles in the information above. The answers below will provide clarity to any queries you may have.
What is biodegradable bedding?
If a product is biodegradable, it means that it can be broken down by natural processes into its component parts.
This includes the textile itself, as well as any dyes or finishes used.
Buying an item that is biodegradable is important because it means that the product can be disposed of safely, without harming the environment.
All of the bedding brands listed above offer biodegradable products.
What are the most environmentally friendly sheets?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the most environmentally friendly sheets will vary depending on the materials used.
That said, some of the most environmentally friendly options available are organic cotton sheets, linen sheets, and bamboo sheets.
These textile materials are grown without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides and can be recycled and biodegraded safely.
All of the bedding brands listed above offer organic and/or bamboo sheets.
Are bamboo sheets ethical?
Yes, bamboo sheets are ethical. However, answering this question is not straightforward.
Bamboo sheets are usually made from bamboo textile and textile waste. This is achieved by textile waste being blended with textile fibers.
The textile waste may come from bamboo textile, cotton textile, or wool textile.
It is important to note that bamboo textile has a lower environmental impact than other textiles like silk, wool, and linen.
For example, it takes less water and energy to produce enough bamboos for one set of bedding than it would take to produce enough silks for the same amount of bedding.
Bamboo textile also produces less pollution in comparison with other fibers such as wool and linen.
However, there are some disadvantages associated with manufacturing bamboo textile products because they require large amounts of energy in the form of drying and extracting.
What are microfibre duvets and are they eco-friendly?
Microfibres are eco-friendly and their production does not create environmental harm that surpasses any other type.
Microfibre, or micro-polyester textile, is a textile material that is composed of synthetic fibers.
It is the textile industry’s preferred fabric to make bedding. It’s inexpensive and it’s fast-drying. The textile can also be machine-washed and dried.
One of the primary drawbacks to microfibre textile is that it does not insulate as well as natural fibers such as cotton or wool.
As insulation is one of the primary functions of a duvet cover, this puts a damper on the usefulness of this type of textile for bedding.
Ethical Bedding Guide: Summing up
We have covered a lot in this article relating to sustainable, ethical bedding and the eco-friendly products used to create it.
Let’s recap some of the main points:
- Given that the textile industry is the second most polluting industry in the world, (after oil), buying organic bedding helps to reduce this environmental impact.
- There are a variety of materials that can be classed as eco-friendly sheets: These include organic cotton, linen, and bamboo.
- Each of the bedding brands listed above has a range of ethical, organic, and sustainable products for you to choose from.
- When buying ethical bedding, be sure to consider the environmental impact of the materials used in the product- not just the production process. Microfiber is an environmentally friendly textile choice for bed sheets.
- Many ethical bedding brands offer biodegradable products. So, you can be sure that your bedding won’t harm the environment when it’s time for a replacement.
Finding ethical bedding for your bedroom doesn’t have to be difficult. After all, we’ve done all the hard work for you!
Be sure to check out the brands listed in this article and make an eco-conscious decision when it comes time to purchase your new bedding set.
You’ll be helping the environment while you sleep! Sweet dreams.
