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My only complaint with the deluxe version is that it doesn’t have straps (the standard one does, but I haven’t tried them). While it doesn’t slide (it stays in place thanks to the cotton cover), the corners sometimes get wrinkled when you change sheets and need to be smoothed out.
The best organic bedding
It really doesn’t make sense to spend $1,000 on an organic mattress and then buy non-organic sheets that rest directly on your skin. Here are some of our favorite organic sheets to complement your new organic mattress.
Soft cotton sheets
These are the best organic cotton sheets I have ever tried. They’re soft, but not too silky, which is a feeling I don’t like (if you like that, check out the avocado leaves below). Brooklinen organic cotton sheets are made with GOTS certificate organic cotton. they are also Oeko-Tex certified., meaning they are tested and do not contain any known toxic chemicals. The 300 thread count makes it quite cool and soft, but it’s not so tight that you end up sleeping hot. They are a great option for summer or if, like me, you sleep warm even in winter.
For a silk-like feel
These 600 thread count sheets are like sleeping on silk or satin. Somehow they are actually 100 percent GOTS certificate Organic cotton from India. The only potential problem here is that, because they are such a dense fabric, they sleep a little warmer than you’re used to. Avocado also has a 400 count version that I haven’t tried, but it might be a better option for hot sleepers.
Soft and Crisp Hotel Style Sheets
I first tried the Antipodean wool duvet (see next section), which I loved, but I recently started sleeping on these sheets and I’m confident enough to say that they are excellent. They remind me of the sheets you’ll find in high-end hotels: wonderfully crisp, soft, clean white sheets. As with any of the organic cotton sheets found here, these are naturally hypoallergenic. They are made from ultra-fine, long-staple organic cotton, with a thicker weave that gives them a bit of weight. Everything Antipodean produces is sustainably grown on low-impact farms that practice regenerative farming methods. These are also breathable. I haven’t slept very hot in them yet, but so far they’ve been fine on nights when the only bedding I needed was the sheet.
Linen sheets
Organic linen sheets are a potential traditional purchase – high-quality, well-cared for linen will last for years, if not decades. That said, if you’re used to 600 thread count cotton like the sheets above, linen sheets are, well, different. They are rougher, although they get softer with each wash (cold water, mild detergent, cold water or hang dry). What doesn’t change is its weight. If you like heavy covers, these are your sheets. Linen is also more breathable and cooler than other fabrics, making it a good choice for hot sleepers. It is also durable. Avocado’s organic linen sheets are some of the heaviest I’ve tested and will probably last you for years. The fitted sheet is fitted (sometimes linen sheet sets are both flat) and there is a matching fitted sheet. duvet cover ($439).
A fantastic organic wool quilt
To complete your organic bedding collection you need a good organic duvet. My favorite I’ve tried is Antipodean’s Organic Merino Wool Comforter. As one of the authors of our merino wool guide, I was well prepared to like the Antipodean wool quilt, but even I was surprised by how much I like it. Like most wool items, the Antipodean wool duvet is capable of amazing feats that sound too good to be true, such as keeping you warm while still being breathable enough that you rarely get too hot. . (I am a hot sleeper and I can attest to that). Wool can do this because it is what is known as an active fiber, meaning it reacts to changes in body temperature and the environment just as it did when you were insulating, warming and cooling a sheep. The result is a comforter that has given me the best night’s sleep I have ever had. One thing to note is that this comforter is much heavier than most people are used to. I don’t mind it, but sometimes it feels almost like a weighted blanket.
Organic Pillows
We have a complete pillow guide, but we’ll add some more organic picks here, because if you’re trying to get away from the phthalates and other chemicals, your pillow is as important as your mattress.
The best organic option in our pillow guide, the best part about the avocado green pillow is the ease with which you can modify it. For example, I hate fluffy pillows; I like almost flat pillows. So I simply unzipped the avocado pillow, took out half of the filling (my kids used it to make sock puppets), and finally had the pillow of my dreams. My son, who loves fluffy pillows, took some of the extra filling that Avocado gives you and filled the pillow with it. Everyone wins. The filling here is crushed. GOLS certified and GOTS certified organic latex organic kapok. The quilted organic cotton cover is nice and soft and doesn’t get too hot. I’ve had mine for four years and it’s as good as the day I bought it.
How we test and what to look for in an organic mattress
Mattresses are large and testing them takes time and space. The WIRED Gear team members have been testing mattresses for many years, and we’ve slept on every mattress on this list for at least a couple of weeks, often longer (in many cases, years longer). That said, we have no way of testing them all. Below are some tips, tricks, and general things to keep in mind when purchasing an organic mattress online.
- Know what type of person you sleep: Different mattresses are designed for different sleeping styles. Do you sleep on your side? Sleeping on your stomach? Do you sleep on your back? Or are you like me, a little of everything (what they call a combination bed)? Knowing the answer to this question can help you narrow your search to mattresses that are a good fit for your sleeping habits. This is where mattress reviews like ours come in handy; We test for each type of sleeper.
- Do you like firm, soft, medium? Mattresses come in different firmness options, often within the same model. Which one is right for you depends on the firmness you enjoy, as well as any problems you may have, such as back pain.
- Internal spring versus foam: Organic mattresses come in two basic flavors: the traditional innerspring design and pure foam. In this guide we have mainly tested and recommended innersprings, although pure foam designs have improved in recent years and we are in the process of testing some now. The big difference in my experience is the amount of heat the foam retains. It’s a good option for cold sleepers, while hot sleepers are better off with a traditional pocket coil design.
- Find a trial period: We all make mistakes; To avoid having to live with a potential mistake, make sure the mattress you’re considering offers a sleep trial. Everything listed here offers some type of sleep trial period after which, if you’re not satisfied, you can return the mattress.
- More expensive does not mean better: Organic mattresses aren’t cheap, but there’s no reason to spend a fortune just to sleep well and eco-friendly.
- Check the warranty: Lifetime warranties are rare these days, but most of the mattresses we’ve tested offer warranties of around 25 years. Some companies limit it to 10 years, but view it with suspicion. A good mattress should last more than 10 years, and good companies are willing to stand behind their products for that long.
- Wait for a sale: Mattresses go on sale all the time, usually every few months for most brands. Unless you need a new mattress right now, it’s probably best to wait for the next big deal.
What makes a mattress organic?
To help you understand the often bewildering world of organic mattresses, here are some terms and certifications you should know.
The big name in organic certifications, and specifically in organic cotton certification, is the Global Organic Textile Standard, usually abbreviated as GOTS. It not only analyzes how cotton is grown and processed, but also ecological and social criteriaand use third parties to independently verify that the standards are being met. If you are curious, you can read version 6 of the standard online.