What to look for on organic paper
Organic means a lot of things. It is often used to confirm that food is a food without toxic pesticides and chemicals and is free of growth hormones or genetically modified organisms in order to label it as organic. For bedding, this should mean both are made of fabrics using organic materials (no toxic pesticides used for tillage, etc.) and they are produced organically with non-toxic chemicals.
You will need at least two certifications to prove this. Most sheets have Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification that proves that the material is organic (for example, it would say organically grown cotton, but should have a proof certification for backup), and you will often see Oeko-tex or Made Safe certifications to prove that they can make them safe and oxidative-free processes. If you only see Oeko-Tex certifications, it means they are made organically, but not organically produced. You’re more likely than anyone else to see the only Oeko-Tex certification, which is still a good certification, but not enough to be a completely organic sheet.
Is it environmentally friendly? It depends on what environmental protection means to you. Some processes are more ecologically conscious, such as those based on chemical yields of nylon and rayon, but producing anything has a cost on Earth. These organic certifications usually only confirm that toxicity and chemicals are included, not necessarily how much waste is left or whether chemicals can be reused.
Honorary mention
There are a lot of great organic sheets there. Here are some organic linen sets we tested and liked.
Boll & Branch Signature Table, priced at $279: Boll & Branch’s signature paper uses GOTS certified cotton and is Oeko-Tex certified. These sheets also upgrade from one-third of the pattern to four modes. I tested the textured striped pattern, and it still feels breathable even with the heavier weave, and despite its extra texture, it is not as soft as a regular bedboard.
Coyuchi flannel sheets for $278: Fantastic and soft, these organic sheets are made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton (except striped patterns), which uses recycled cotton and GoTs certified cotton). The Boll & Branch flannel is a little soft, but if you want to save a few dollars, Coyuchi’s sheets are a little cheaper.
Ettitude Luxe Cleanbamboo Sateen+ sheets for $400: Ettitude’s luxury bamboo sheets promise that they are Ecocert organic and use 100% FSC certified bamboo and are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. I find them a little heavy because I like being a popular sleeper, but they are an organic soft and smooth set.
Not very organic
Avocado Natural Linen $549: These linens are the heaviest and most expensive we have ever tried. These linen sheets can last for many years, thanks to the weight and become softer with each wash. These sheets were previously certified, but now they are only Oeko-Tex certified, which is why they are not the choice. Therefore, avocados no longer list them as organic.
Wood and bamboo sheets are priced at $130: These affordable bamboo slices from Koons claim to use 100% viscose in organic bamboo, but only Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification proves that there is no use of toxic chemicals, not the source of the bamboo itself. They are a nice, soft set, but they don’t have all the certifications we’ve looked for on organic paper. We have contacted Quince to ask if they have any certification that proves bamboo is organic.
Quince Sateen sheets are priced at $100: Similar to the bamboo above, these sheets are sold as 100% bamboo, but only Oeko-Tex certified, which only confirms that the chemical is non-toxic. We have contacted Quince to ask if they have any certification that proves that cotton is organic.
