Sustainable and/or organic choices seem to be just a trend today, whether we are talking about food, clothes or other types of products, such as bed sheets. We want to shed some light on organic fabrics to allow you to make more conscious choices.

From mattresses, duvets, pillows, bedding to pyjamas, clothes or shoes, there are always products that are friendly to both the environment and your skin, from which you can select what best suits you.

There have been times, including current days, when the only criteria considered when purchasing bedding and clothing were the design and the way the product feels on the skin, regardless of the origin, harvesting method or substances used in agriculture.

However, since we spend a significant amount of time in bed, it’s natural to look at other criteria as well. The most important criteria to consider when looking at materials are:

  • Type of material and its origin – organic materials often used in bedding and or pillows/mattresses/duvets are organic cotton (differs from regular cotton), linen, hemp, wool and Tencel (the name for a new material, its’ fibre is produced from wood and is based on nanofibers);
  • The substances used for growth (pesticides, fungicides and any harsh chemicals) but also the amount of water used for irrigation or the amount of energy;
  • Collection and processing mode;
  • Certifications (GOTS, OEKO TEX, MASTERS OF LINEN etc.);
  • Ethical work practices.

You don’t have to check all these aspects on every label and purchase, but you do need to know which fibres usually meet these criteria so that it is easier for you to find them.

  1. Organic cotton – Cotton is the most widely used fibre when it comes to today’s textile industry, but there are many concerns about its’ genetic modifications, ranking in the top 3 modified plants worldwide. Organic cotton is grown without pesticides and comes with associated standards (GOTS) that certify how it was produced.
  2. Linseed(Flax) – Linseed is an extremely environmentally friendly plant, it grows without pesticides or fertilizers and requires very little or no water in irrigation. Linen is organic by its production essence, but there are also associated certifications here, such as EUROPEAN FLAX® or MASTERS OF LINEN®.
  3. Hemp – Hemp is also part of sustainable textiles, not needing chemicals to grow. It is used more in the clothing industry and less in bedding, due to its less neat appearance.
  4. Wool – although its processing does not have a significant impact on the environment, the way the raw material is generated sometimes involves deforestation of large areas for grazing and large amounts of methane that are released where there are larger gatherings of animals. Moreover, since it involves animal husbandry and sometimes they are not treated well, we recommend checking certifications such as Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), Certified Organic Wool, Certified Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Humane® Label, ZQ Merino Standard, Soil Association Organic Standards and Climate Beneficial by Fibershed.
  5. Bamboo – Although bamboo is a plant that regenerates quickly and does not need additional water or toxic substances/fertilizer, bamboo fibre does not exist per se. In the process of processing, bamboo turns into viscose through a polluting process that involves toxins and chemicals whose residues go into the atmosphere. There are no certifications for bamboo and most are produced in China, with non-transparent practices.
  6. Tencel – It is a fibre developed from wood (eucalyptus) and is both grown and processed using environmentally friendly standards. Tencel is the name of the brand, the fibre being lyocell, and it has become popular in the textile industry due to its smooth and fine appearance, but also its absorption properties. It tends to be less resistant over time, but it is a good and biodegradable choice.

We encourage you to choose any of these materials that suit you, because they are often hypoallergenic, better at absorbing moisture, some have thermoregulatory and anti-microbial qualities, last longer and after use, they decompose, not affecting the environment. When washing, they do not send microplastics into the sewer system and water.

In addition, they are grown and processed with minimal impact, so any choice in this direction is one that helps the entire ecosystem. By being aware of choices, we become more aware of ourselves, our body and what is good for our skin.