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Are you worried about the environmental impact of your synthetic bedding?
Traditional nylon and polyester sheets are petroleum-based fabrics that contain potentially harmful chemicals and dyes, and aren't biodegradable. That means they inevitably join the 92 million tons of textile waste that end up in landfills every year (GFA Pulse of the Fashion Industry 2019).
Eco-friendly bedding solves this problem because it's made from sustainable materials like certified organic cotton, bamboo, natural linen, or TENCEL Lyocell.
It's better for the environment because it's biodegradable and durable, so it also lasts longer and offers better value for money.
But where can you buy the best eco-friendly bedding online? We personally sleep tested the leading brands to find out. Here are our picks of brands that offer high-quality, certified nontoxic bedding from natural materials.
✔ Luxurious Soft Feel
✔ High Quality Organic Materials
✔ Keeps You Cool
Why it's My #1 Pick: Boll & Branch is the best sustainable bedding brand purely due to the exceptional quality of their products.
Personal Experience: As soon as I unboxed it, I noticed how the Boll & Branch GOTS-certified organic cotton bedding set feels incredibly luxurious to the touch.
The close/tight percale weave gives the sheets a nice weight while also being very breathable. It's perfect for hot sleepers like me, and does a great job of keeping me cool through the night. Compared to synthetic polyester sheets, the difference in airflow is remarkable.
Having read the customer feedback, it seems it's not just me who's impressed. Boll & Branch sheets consistently rate higher than other similarly priced brands, such as Brooklinen.
Three of our team members tested these sheets, and we unanimously agreed that they're more comfortable than any other brand we tested.
After the first 10 washes, they feel just as soft and comfortable as they did on day 1. I plan to keep these sheets for the long term.
Boll & Branch is one of the few brands to offer American-grown, 100% organic Supima cotton bedding. This material has a premium price tag (around 3 times the cost of their other sets) because it's incredibly rare. But if you have the budget, it's the most luxurious sustainable fabric you'll find.
Even without the Supima upgrade, Boll & Branch's regular range offers fantastic quality. The percale set we tested is mid-range priced. We found cheaper alternatives such as Pact and Quince. But considering the quality, I think Boll & Branch offers great value for money.
✔ Lightweight and Breathable
✔ 5-Year Warranty
✔ No Dyes or Harmful Chemicals
PlushBeds offers sustainable sheet sets in three materials: organic cotton, bamboo rayon, and TENCEL Lyocell (a silk-like Vegan material made from eucalyptus that can help people with sensitive skin).
The organic cotton sheets have a Sateen weave that feels exceptionally cool even on hot nights. PlusBeds has created a sateen that, while warmer than the percale weaves used by Boll & Branch and Sleep & Beyond, is still moisture-wicking and breathable.
The smaller pocket depth means they fit perfectly on a medium-thick mattress. However, we found they weren't deep enough to fit an extra-thick mattress.
PlushBeds sheets feel very well-made and incredibly durable. After 10 washes, they still looked and felt as good as new.
PlushBeds is the only brand we found that offers a 5-year warranty on its bedding. I find this reassuring because it demonstrates how confident they are in its quality.
✔ Excellent Value for Money
✔ No Chemicals or Pesticides
✔ Lightweight, Smooth, and Soft
Sleep & Beyond sells incredibly high-quality, sustainable bedding at an excellent price point. We found that the quality is only a slight step down from Boll & Branch, but at a much lower price.
They use the finest quality organic cotton to create environmentally friendly bedding, free from pesticides and carcinogenic chemicals.
Their products feel lightweight and cool. If, like me, you ever find your pillow getting too hot under your ear, this bedding is perfect for you.
After 10 washes, I wouldn't say the sheets were quite as pristine as when they were brand new, but they did seem to hold up well. I have no concerns about their long-term durability.
While this makes them ideal for fall and spring, we did find we needed to add an extra blanket to stay cozy during the winter months.
✔ 100 Night Sleep Trial
✔ 400 Thread Count Sateen
✔ 1-Year Warranty
Naturepedic sheets and pillowcases are soft, hardwearing, and we found them very easy to wash and iron.
The 400 thread count is among the highest of any brand we tested, and the price seems very reasonable for the quality.
After washing and ironing more than 10 times, it's clear that Naturepedic bedding is very well made and can handle whatever you throw at it.
Unlike some other brands, Naturepedic sells sheets individually rather than just as sets. That means you can build up your sustainable bedding collection slowly if you're on a budget. Or you can replace individual items when necessary.
Naturepedic offers a 100-night sleep trial on its bedding. This return period is equal to Avocado, shorter than Quince, but longer than other premium eco-friendly brands. Most other brands only accept returns unopened.
If you're unsure about weave or material preferences, this trial removes the risk of buying the wrong bedding.
✔ Ultra Deep Pocket Depth
✔ Supremely Cool & Breathable
✔ Certified Vegan
Avocadp's range of eco-conscious bedding is sustainable and feels snuggly.
My favorite are the epically luxurious Avocado organic linen bedding sets. These are the most breathable sheet sets I tested. They're expensive, but worth the money if your budget can stretch to them.
Avocado organic cotton sheets are a more affordable option. These come in regular (16") or deep (22") pocket sizes. The 22" is the deepest of any of the brands we tested. It's perfect if you have a thick mattress or if you use a mattress topper.
Like Naturepedic, Avocado offers a 100-night trial and a full-year warranty, both of which are the most generous at the premium end of the market.
✔ Gets Softer with Every Wash
✔ Breathability for Hot Sleepers
✔ 60-Day Refund
Pact delivers exceptional value in the organic bedding market, offering queen-size sets for under $150 on sale and around $160 regularly. That's nearly half the price of organic cotton sets from Boll & Branch or PlushBeds, though without their luxury feel.
What sets Pact organic bedding apart is its three distinct collections tailored to different sleep preferences. There's Cool-Air Percale for hot sleepers, stretchy Jersey sheets that feel incredibly soft and comfortable, and silky Room Service Sateen for luxury seekers.
The Jersey collection is particularly unique among organic bedding brands, offering stretchy comfort that's perfect for those who want cozy, t-shirt-like softness.
Pact offers fewer color options than Boll & Branch's extensive palette, and can't quite match Boll & Branch's ultra-soft feel. The Jersey collection may feel too casual for those preferring crisp hotel-style sheets. But Pact does excel at delivering certified organic quality at accessible prices.
✔ 50-75% Less Than Premium Brands
✔ 365-Day Return Policy
✔ Widest Material Selection
Quince is something of a disruptor in the luxury bedding market by offering premium materials like organic cotton, Belgian linen, bamboo, and silk at remarkably accessible prices. Their queen percale sets start around $89, while linen runs about $180 - both significantly undercutting competitors like Boll & Branch.
The brand's direct-to-consumer model involves ethically sourcing materials directly from Fair Trade-certified factories. What sets Quince apart is their material variety and industry-leading 365-day return policy, the longest of any brand we tested.
Surely at this price point, there must be some downsides? Well, yes, there are.
The main trade-off is the comparative lack of certifications. One of the reasons they can afford to sell their products more cheaply is that the cotton is not GOTS-certified.
That means the origin of the materials and the sustainability of production and manufacturing have to be taken on trust.
Their 270 thread count percale is lower than premium competitors like Boll & Branch, PlushBeds, Avocado, and Naturepedic. Some of the sheets feel thinner compared to higher-priced alternatives, although they're still comfortable and hold up well even after more than 20 washes.
Still, Quince remains a good option for budget-conscious shoppers who want quality sustainable materials and a long trial period.
✔ Fair Trade Certified
✔ Affordably Priced
✔ Multiple Material Options
Nest Bedding is a US-based company with over a decade of mattress industry expertise. They offer Fair Trade-certified organic cotton sheets starting around $89 for queen sets, which we feel is great value.
Nest's unique crinkle percale finish sets them apart; we didn't find any other brand that offered this. Also, the TENCEL sets can be particularly suitable for people with sensitive skin (see TENCEL materials guide below to find out why).
Our team found Nest sheets pleasant and comfortable. Far better than any synthetic bedding we've ever had to use, although not quite the same level of luxury that Boll & Branch offers.
So Nest scores highly in terms of competitive pricing, but its organic cotton lacks the GOTS certification that premium competitors provide. The 30-night trial period is better than those brands like PlushBeds that offer no trial, but it falls short of brands like Naturepedic's 100-night guarantee.
We did find some slight pilling on the TENCEL sheets after around 25 washes, but nowhere near the level you'd get on synthetics. They still remain soft and feel great against the skin at nighttime.
✔ World Fair Trade Organization Certified
✔ 400 Thread Count Turkish Cotton
✔ Luxury Presentation
The Citizenry offers GOTS-certified organic cotton sheet sets for around $249-329 for queen sizes, comparable to Boll & Branch.
Their standout feature is World Fair Trade Organization certification, exceeding typical Fair Trade standards. However, at similar prices, Boll & Branch offers more color options, multiple weave types, and rare Supima cotton upgrades.
The Citizenry offers an impressive 400-thread-count Turkish sateen with sophisticated branding and luxury presentation. There's no doubting these are comfortable sheets with a premium feel that wouldn't seem out of place at a top-end hotel.
However, I don't feel that they offer the same value for money as Boll & Branch at the luxury end of the market, or Pact at the budget end. I accept that the World Fair Trade certification represents the highest ethical standard, but we found slightly better value and a wider product selection elsewhere in premium organic bedding.
Choose The Citizenry if World Fair Trade certification matters more to you than product variety.
To help you choose the right environmentally friendly bedsheets for you, I've compared the key criteria of the 5 best sustainable bedding brands I tested in the table below.
| Boll & Branch | PlushBeds | Sleep & Beyond | Avocado | Pact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | | | | |
| Best For | Top Pick Overall | Durability & Warranty | Breathability | Thick Mattresses | Budget Friendly |
| Materials | Organic Cotton, Supima Cotton, Flax Linen | Organic Cotton, Bamboo, TENCEL | Organic Cotton, Bamboo | Organic Cotton, Natural Linen | Organic Cotton |
| Weaves | Percale, Sateen, Flannel | Sateen | Percale, Sateen | Percale, Sateen | Percale, Sateen, Jersey |
| Certs | GOTS, OEKO-TEX 100, Fair Trade | GOTS, OEKO-TEX | GOTS, OEKO-TEX 100 | GOTS, MADE SAFE, Climate Neutral, B-Corp, 1% For the Planet | GOTS, Fair Trade |
| Pocket Depth | 17" | 13" | 18" | 16" or 22" | 15" |
| Price Range | $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $$ – $$$$ | $ |
Each bedding set featured in this guide was personally sleep-tested by me, my family, or one of our testing team members. We tested every set for a minimum of 14 nights in a warm climate and a further 14 in a cold climate.
The testing process, which we used to arrive at our final rating, was as follows.
We rejected over 12 other brands that didn't meet our high standards for comfort, quality, sustainability, breathability, and third-party certifications.
All bedding was either purchased directly using the links provided or supplied by the brand, with no guarantee of inclusion or editorial influence. No brand is permitted to pay for inclusion or position in this list.
Now we've seen the recommended brands, it's worth comparing sustainable vs synthetic bedding so you can fully understand the range of benefits they offer.
Eco-friendly bedding provides reduced chemical reduction, increased comfort, and environmental advantages over conventional synthetic bedding. The benefits are supported by independent studies, government reports, and recognized certification standards.
Eco-friendly bedding helps reduce the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals often used in conventional textiles.
Certifications such as GOTS, OEKO-TEX, MADE SAFE, and GREENGUARD require strict limits on toxic substances, which means bedding with these labels has been independently tested for safety. See the certifications section below for more details.
Natural fibers such as organic cotton, linen, and TENCEL regulate temperature and moisture more effectively than synthetics.
Eco-friendly bedding made from natural fibers like cotton and linen often lasts longer than synthetic alternatives.
In short, well-made natural fiber bedding ages gracefully. Synthetics often show wear faster.
Making synthetic fibers emits more greenhouse gases than making organic cotton or linen.
Natural fibers biodegrade and do not add persistent microplastics to the environment.
Choosing eco-friendly bedding made from plant-based fibers avoids releasing plastic fibers in the wash. Any fibers that do escape are far more likely to biodegrade than polyester or nylon.
Eco-friendly bedding brings social and ecological benefits.
The advantages of organic fabrics are numerous, but which type should you choose? Next, we examine the natural bedding materials in more detail to help you choose the one that's right for you.
GOTS-certified organic cotton is the best material for sustainable bedding, offering the strongest environmental certifications, widespread availability, and proven durability across all weave types.
Organic cotton is the gold standard for sustainable bedding, grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or GMOs. GOTS certification ensures the highest environmental and social standards throughout the entire supply chain.
The environmental impact of organic cotton is far lower than that of conventional cotton. It has 46% lower global warming potential, uses 91% less water, 62% less energy, and causes 26% less soil erosion ("Life Cycle Assessment of Organic Cotton Fiber," Textile Exchange).
This material works with all weave types (percale, sateen, flannel) and offers excellent durability and breathability. Organic cotton is widely available across premium brands and provides the best balance of sustainability, performance, and variety.
Linen is made from flax plants that require minimal water and pesticides to grow, making it naturally eco-friendly.
European flax linen offers superior quality and traditional craftsmanship. This material provides exceptional breathability and a distinctive, relaxed aesthetic that improves with each wash.
Linen is ideal for hot sleepers and those who prefer casual, lived-in luxury, although it comes at a higher price point.
Bamboo grows rapidly, can be farmed without pesticides, and regenerates from its root system, making it highly sustainable.
However, the processing can involve chemicals. That's why brands like PlushBeds and Sleep & Beyond choose OEKO-TEX certification to confirm their bamboo products are safe.
Find out more about how bamboo bedding is made, and find the best brands in our bamboo sheets roundup.
Bamboo sheets offer excellent temperature regulation, are moisture-wicking, and are softer than cotton.
TENCEL is an environmentally friendly fabric made from sustainably sourced eucalyptus wood pulp using a closed-loop process that recycles water and solvents.
TENCEL Lyocell fabric offers silk-like softness and is typically best suited for hot sleepers. It also offers the following benefits for people with sensitive skin.
Both PlushBeds and Nest Bedding offer sustainable TENCEL bedding sets.
This covers the materials used, but to make the right choice, you also need to know about the different weaves and finishes, such as percale and sateen.
The key difference between these weaves is breathability. Percale offers maximum airflow, sateen provides luxury with moderate breathability, flannel prioritizes warmth, and jersey delivers casual stretch comfort.
So which organic cotton weave should you choose? The following table compares the key attributes of each weave to help you make that decision.
| Weave Type | Construction | Key Characteristics | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percale | Simple one-over-one-under pattern | Crisp, lightweight, matte finish, highly breathable, gets softer with washing | Hot sleepers, those wanting hotel-crisp sheets, maximum breathability |
| Sateen | Four-over-one-under pattern with floating threads | Smooth surface, subtle sheen, silky feel, wrinkle-resistant, less breathable | Those wanting smooth elegant sheets, cold sleepers, wrinkle-resistant bedding |
| Flannel | Brushing process applied to woven cotton | Soft, fuzzy, napped surface that traps warm air | Cold sleepers, winter months, maximum warmth and softness |
| Jersey | Knit construction (not woven) | Stretchy, t-shirt-like feel, casual comfort, soft from day one | Those wanting relaxed, comfortable sheets that feel like clothing |
Now let's look at each of the weaves and finishes in more detail.
Percale is the most common weave across organic brands, using a simple one-over-one-under pattern.
This weave creates crisp, lightweight sheets with a matte finish that is highly breathable and cool-sleeping. The sheets get softer with each wash while maintaining their structure.
Variations include "crinkle percale," which is Nest Bedding's pre-washed, relaxed finish, and "stonewashed percale," which is The Citizenry's softer, linen-like texture.
Percale is best for hot sleepers, those who prefer hotel-crisp sheets, and anyone wanting maximum breathability. This explains why hot sleepers love the Boll & Branch percale set mentioned above, and why Sleep & Beyond's percale option works so well for warm climates.
Sateen uses a four-over-one-under pattern where threads float over more fibers, creating a smooth surface with subtle sheen.
This weave produces silky, lustrous sheets that drape beautifully and resist wrinkles. Sateen is less breathable than percale but offers luxury hotel-like softness. Thread counts typically range from 300-400 across brands.
Sateen is best for those wanting smooth, elegant sheets, cold sleepers who need less breathability, and anyone preferring wrinkle-resistant bedding.
Flannel is not technically a weave but rather a brushing process that manufacturers apply to percale or plain weave cotton. This process creates a soft, fuzzy, napped surface that traps warm air.
Brands like Boll & Branch and Quince use flannel for their cozy winter bedding. Flannel is best for cold sleepers, winter months, and those wanting maximum warmth and softness.
Jersey is a knit rather than woven construction, creating stretchy, t-shirt-like sheets.
This weave is unique to Pact among the brands covered, offering casual comfort with slight stretch and softness from day one.
Jersey is best for those wanting relaxed, comfortable sheets that feel like favorite clothing rather than traditional crisp bedding.
Now that you know what materials and finishes suit different types of sleepers, the final step in choosing between the eco-friendly options we listed above is to understand the brands' sustainability certifications.
GOTS, OEKO-TEX, FSC, Fair Trade Certified, and WTSO are the most important and prominent certifications for eco-friendly bedding brands and products.
Each certification signifies something different, so you need to understand what each one means when shopping for sustainable textiles.
GOTS is the gold standard for organic textile certification, requiring products to contain at least 95% certified organic raw materials.
This certification covers the entire supply chain from fiber production to the manufacturing process. The GOTS label means that textiles are made from organic fibers and produced under environmentally and socially responsible conditions.
GOTS prohibits harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde, heavy metals, chlorinated or brominated flame retardants, certain azo dyes, plasticizers, and PFAS. It also requires wastewater treatment and mandates fair labor practices.
Look for the GOTS logo as your primary indicator of truly sustainable bedding.
Boll & Branch, PlushBeds, Sleep & Beyond, Avocado, Naturepedic, Pact, and The Citizenry all have GOTS certification.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests finished textile products for over 1000 harmful substances, according to their official website. The list includes various pesticides, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and other toxic substances.
Find out more in our article: What is OEKO-TEX?
Use OEKO-TEX to verify a product's safety rather than its sustainability. It provides important safety assurance for any sheet set that doesn't have an organic certification like GOTS.
FSC certification ensures that wood-based fibers like bamboo and eucalyptus (used in TENCEL) come from responsibly managed forests.
This certification promotes biodiversity conservation, protects indigenous rights, and ensures sustainable harvesting practices. Find out more at the official FSC website.
FSC is crucial for bamboo bedding as it verifies that the source material was grown and harvested without contributing to deforestation or environmental degradation.
Fair Trade certification ensures that farmers and factory workers receive fair wages and work in safe conditions. Along with WTFO (below), this label addresses the social aspect of bedding production. It verifies that brands source materials ethically, while supporting community development and worker safety.
Find out how Fair Trade works here.
Fair Trade standards also prohibit child labor and promote sustainable farming practices. Brands like Boll & Branch and Pact combine Fair Trade with GOTS certification for comprehensive sustainability.
WFTO verifies Fair Trade enterprises against its Guarantee System, covering the organization and its supply chains. Full details are available in its Label Mark Guide.
It goes beyond individual products to evaluate entire business practices and long-term relationships with producers.
WFTO is less common than Fair Trade Certified, but it represents the most comprehensive approach to ethical bedding production, as brands like The Citizenry demonstrate.
You can read more about these and many more certifications in my Green Certifications article.
Once you have decided which of the sustainable options is right for you, it's important to know how to care for your sheets to keep them in perfect condition.
Eco-friendly bedding already lasts longer than synthetic materials because of its higher quality weave and fiber density. To extend its lifespan still further and truly embrace a zero-waste lifestyle, follow these tips.
Wash organic cotton bedding in cold water on a gentle cycle with like colors, using mild, non-toxic liquid laundry detergent. The Citizenry recommends avoiding bleaching agents and personal care products containing benzoyl peroxide or alpha hydroxy acids, which can damage organic fibers.
Most organic bedding becomes softer with each wash, so regular washing actually improves comfort.
PlushBeds recommends that you tumble dry on low heat and remove promptly to prevent over-drying and wrinkles.
Optionally, use wool dryer balls to help maintain softness and reduce drying time naturally.
High heat damages organic fibers and causes premature wear, so stick to low temperature settings.
To avoid creases, particularly in percale bedding, Boll & Branch recommends you shake out your sheets and pillowcases after washing before the dry cycle. If you tumble dry, remove the sheets from the dryer as soon as the cycle is finished. Use a warm iron if needed.
Store clean bedding in breathable cotton bags rather than plastic to prevent moisture buildup. Rotate between multiple sets to reduce wear on any single set.
Never use bleach, fabric softeners, or harsh chemicals that can break down organic fibers and remove natural properties.
Avoid washing with items containing zippers or rough textures that can cause pilling. Skip dry cleaning, as the process involves chemicals that negate some of the benefits of choosing organic bedding.
Wash sheets weekly in hot water if you have allergies, or every 1-2 weeks for normal use. Organic and bamboo-based fabrics are breathable, which helps them feel fresher between washes
The most environmentally conscious bedding options are those that are made from 100 percent natural and renewable sources. Organic cotton, bamboo, hemp, linen, and TENCEL are all sustainable materials used by sustainable brands.
Yes, many cheap, mass-produced bed sheets contain harmful chemicals from when the raw materials were grown. Buying organic bed sheets cuts out these chemicals.
Boll & Branch, Naturepedic, PlushBeds, and Pact all sell eco-friendly duvet covers.
If you're looking for comforters, check out our guide to the best eco friendly cotton comforters for more information.
Pact, Naturepedic, and MakeMake Organics are all great organic kids' bedding brands.
See our guide to organic and non-toxic kids' bedding for more information and detailed reviews.
Sustainable and ethical bedding costs more upfront but is far better value in the long term. I recommend that you always buy the highest quality sets within your price range.
Good quality, sustainable bed sheets last a lifetime.
Buying certified organically produced bedding helps you sleep soundly at night, knowing that toxic chemicals are not slowly entering your body.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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