A good night’s sleep is essential to a healthy lifestyle, but are you sleeping on a toxic time bomb?
Maybe! You might be surprised to discover that your bedsheets could be full of toxic chemicals.
When researching for my best organic bedding article, I was appalled to discover the sheer volume of toxic nasties that can find their way into some bedsheets.
In this article, I’ll go over what harmful toxins could potentially lurk in your bedding, what areas in particular are at risk for contamination, and how to avoid them.
I’ll also provide some advice on choosing non-toxic bedsheets so you can sleep peacefully, knowing that your sleep sanctuary is a healthy and sustainable one.
Contents
Some of the common toxic chemicals found in modern-day bed sheets include:
Formaldehyde can be found in many household products used daily (such as glue in furniture), but did you also know it can be found on your bedsheets?
Sheets sold as ’easy care, ’wrinkle-free,’ ’no wrinkle,’ ’zero iron,’ etc. often contain a formaldehyde finish.
It can cause cancer! Do you really want it on your bedsheets?
Some bedsheets may still contain traces of the pesticides sprayed on the crop used to make them.
This is particularly a problem for bedsheets at the cheaper end of the market made from traditional cotton (certified organic cotton is grown without pesticides).
According to the World Health Organization, Aldicarb and Parathion are two extremely hazardous insecticide treatments used on textile crops.
Sometimes bedsheets are bleached using the chlorine bleach process.
This is used to whiten the sheets and make them look brighter, but it can also leave behind harmful chemicals.
Many soft furnishings contain phthalates, a synthetic compound often added to plastics to increase flexibility.
Phthalates are most commonly found in waterproof bedsheets.
These harsh surfactants are often found in many household items, but can also be found in bedsheets for the same reasons as phthalates.
Some brightly colored or patterned bedsheets achieve that look with toxic dyes and color fasteners (used to ensure the dyes don’t fade).
Some toxic bedding items (mattresses in particular, but also some bedsheets) are treated with Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) to meet federal flame retardant regulations.
PBDEs have been linked with neurodevelopment issues.
Here are a few tips for avoiding potential toxins in bedsheets:
Look for bedding made from sustainable fabrics grown and manufactured with no pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
Look out for trusted green certifications for peace of mind that the sheets you’re buying are sustainable and not damaging to human health.
They also assure you that any eco claims made by bedding manufacturers are legitimate and not an attempt at greenwashing.
Some of the best include:
As mentioned earlier, sheets marketed as ’easy care,’ ’low maintenance,’ etc., often contain a formaldehyde finish and makes bedding toxic.
Avoid. Avoid. Avoid.
Natural, undyed, unbleached bedsheets remove the possibility of toxic chemicals being present from the dyes and bleaches used.
If you do want color and pattern, ensure that toxin-free dyes (and dying methods) are used.
Some sneaky manufacturers will coat their bedsheets in silicone to give them a soft and silky feel.
While the silicone used might not be toxic enough to cause much harm, it will wash off after a few laundry days.
This adds a pollutant to the water coming out of your washing machine and leaves you with stiffer, less snuggly bed sheets.
The facts show that bamboo is a wonderfully sustainable material…when grown and processed correctly.
The manufacturing process can cause problems with bamboo fabric.
Some bamboo rayon is made by boiling bamboo in vats of toxic chemicals. These hidden chemicals can eventually escape the process and pollute the environment.
When shopping for bamboo fabric, ensure it’s sustainably grown and manufactured in an eco-friendly closed-loop system.
A closed-loop manufacturing system is one where synthetic chemicals and other materials used to create a product can be captured and reused or recycled.
Closed-loop systems minimize environmental damage, whereas an open-loop system allows pollutants to escape into the air, water, or soil.
To ensure that your bed sheets are made in a closed-loop system, look for certifications from the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), OEKO-TEX, or other reputable certification organizations.
If you’re still unsure whether or not you’re buying toxic bedding, ask the manufacturer. Or email me, and I’ll dig a little deeper for you.
Delilah Home has written an excellent article on this topic.
Polyester is typically made from petroleum-based chemicals that can negatively impact your health and the environment.
While there is some small-scale research that suggests a link between polyurethane and cancer, more studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions.
100% cotton bedsheets are breathable, making them a good choice for people who overheat at night. They’re also absorbent, which can help keep you cool and dry.
Cheap cotton sheets can shrink in the wash and may not be as durable as other materials (like linen, for example).
Microfiber or polyester is often mixed with natural fibers of cotton to make ’cotton mix’ bed sheets. This is a way of keeping costs down.
When it comes to buying bed sheets, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
First and foremost, when purchasing bedding, avoid sheets labeled wrinkle-free and easy-care that are treated with formaldehyde and other toxic substances.
Choose natural, undyed sheets whenever possible, and be wary of cheap bamboo sheets, as some can be environmentally damaging during manufacturing.
Look for certifications from reputable organizations such as Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and OEKO-TEX.
And, as always, if you’re even in doubt about what you’re buying, contact the manufacturer or retailer and interrogate them.
Do you buy organic cotton bed sheets? Or are you happy with synthetic fabrics made from synthetic fibers?
Do you only buy wrinkle-free? Or are you okay with extra ironing to keep formaldehyde out of your bedroom? Drop me a line and let me know.
