Last Updated on February 14, 2023
Looking for new bedding? Sustainable fabrics are not only better for the environment, but natural and eco friendly sheets are also more breathable, absorbent, and comfortable – so better for your sleep too!
Here’s a guide to help you first decide what material might be the best choice for you and also a list of some great sustainable bedding brands to check out.
And before we jump into it, lets quickly clear up the thread count myth – a higher thread count does not automatically mean better quality or more comfortable. What is much more important is the type and quality of fibre used, how it’s processed, and how it’s woven! So it’s best to ignore thread counts and instead look for brands that focus on making high quality sheets.
Read below about the pros and cons of different material or jump to where to find sustainable sheets.
Cotton vs Linen vs Tencel
What’s the best material for sheets? Which is the most environmentally friendly bedding?
Cotton Sheets
The most common and easy to find sheet material.
Pros
- Breathable & absorbent
- Often more affordable
- Large variety of styles, colours, and patterns
Cons
- Cotton can have high pesticide use (look for Organic)
- Generally requires more resources to grow
- Wrinkles with use
- Large range in quality
Linen Sheets
The original bedding materials and why they’re often called “linens”.
Pros
- Breathable & absorbent
- Durable and long-lasting
- Linen is more sustainably grown than cotton (less pesticides and water required)
Cons
- Wrinkles easily (although that can be a pro too if you like the look)
- Can take a while to soften
- Typically more expensive than other sheets
- Limited style options
Tencel (Lyocell) Sheets
Tencel is a cellulose fabric derived from sustainably sourced wood pulp. It often has a more silky feel but can come in a variety of finishes.
Pros
- Tencel™ is closed loop and sustainably made (however generic lyocell might not be)
- Less prone to wrinkling
- Good “vegan silk” or “natural satin” alternative
- Can feel cooler and be a good choice for hot sleepers
Cons
- While it’s technically a natural material, lyocell is highly processed – ensure it is Tencel™ which is made in a sustainable closed loop process.
- Typically less durable
- Some Tencel sheets may require delicate washing
- Some people don’t like the feeling
Overall the best type of material will depend on you personal preferences, style, and budget. Each have different pros and cons so ultimately it’s about which you’ll most use and enjoy.
Personally, I’m a big fan of linen sheets, I love the feeling, casual look, and sustainability. But I also know they’re not for everyone so below are a variety of options, materials, and brands to check out.
When shopping for sheets something else that is important to me is being able to buy pieces separately. We don’t use a top sheet so I hate having to get set that includes one, and my partner and I also use separate duvets and have different pillow sizes so sets never fit our needs and end up being a waste of both money and materials. So if the sets also don’t work for you, I’ve also noted who sells pieces separately.
Where to Find Sustainable Sheets
The best organic sheets and sustainable bedding brands.
(please note: some affiliate links are used in this post which means we may get a small commission)
Price Guide (based on a Queen Set)
$ – Under 200
$$ – 200 – 250
$$$ – 251 – 300
$$$$ – 301+
1. Magic Linen
Magic Linen’s products are made in-house in Lithuania from Oeko-Tex certified linen made from European flax. They cater to international customer and offer many sizing options.
Magic Linen Review
We have full bedding from Magic Linen and it’s been great! I love their colour options and as mentioned above I’m a huge fan of the fact that they sell the pieces both individually and as sets.
I really like the wrinkly linen look however of the linen sheets I’ve tried these have a thicker yarn and are more casual/rustic than some finer woven linen sheets. So they are definitely for those who love that “linen look”.
Price: $$$
Based in: Lithuania, ships international
Sizing: US, UK, EU, AU
2. Boll & Branch
Boll & Branch makes classic bedding from organic cotton. They have a variety of yarn quality and weaves for different feels and finishes. They also sell both sets and separates.
Their bedding is 100% organic cotton, they pay fair wages to cotton farmers, and their production is Fair Trade Certified.
Price: $$$
Based in: USA, also ships to Canada
Sizing: US
3. Kotn
One of our fave Canadian clothing brands – Kotn’s new home collection includes classic, neutral bedding. Their sheet sets are sold with the flat sheet separately which I appreciate! They also have cotton and linen blend sheets if you want the benefits of both fibres.
While Kotn’s cotton is not organic, they do have a unique direct-trade model where they work directly with cotton farmers and ensure quality, transparency, and fair wages at all stages of their supply chain. Kotn is also in the process of helping their farmers get organic certification. Kotn is a B Corp and uses a portion of profits to build schools in their cotton farming communities.
Price: $ – $$
Based in: Canada, ships international
Sizing: US
4. Hessnatur
Hessnatur has a huge selection of organic cotton and organic linen bedding – especially good to check out if you’re looking for bright colours and prints! They have percale, sateen, jersey, and brushed options.
Their bedding is GOTS certified and made in the EU. *Flat sheets aren’t very common in Europe so they don’t include them.
Price: $
Based in: Germany, ships to most countries in Europe
Sizing: EU
5. Sijo
Sijo makes both Tencel™ and linen bedding. Looking for something silky and cool? Tencel is a sustainable fabric to try! They sell sets with and without a flat sheet in a range of colours to choose from.
Their bedding is Oeko-Tex certified and their duvets also include corner snaps which pair with their duvet inserts to make changing the bedding easier.
Price: $$ – $$$
Based in: USA, ships
Sizing: US
6. Naturepedic
Naturepedic is primarily a mattress company (and makes excellent organic mattresses!) however they also have a small and simple bedding collection. Their sheets come in natural or white and are 100% GOTS certified organic cotton.
They also have GreenGuard and other certifications, Naturepedic would be my top pick for babies or anyone with very sensitive skin or who has issues with dyes!
Price: $$
Based in: USA, also has a Canadian webshop
Sizing: US
7. Pact
Pact is primarily known as a clothing brand but recently added a home collection as well. They have options in 2 materials, their “favorite tee jersey” bedding and “room service sateen”.
Pact’s sheets and bedding are 100% organic cotton and made in a Fair Trade Certified factory in India.
Price: $
Based in: USA, ships international
Sizing: US
8. Coyuchi
Coyuchi has a variety of organic cotton and linen sheets. Their cotton options include crinkled percale, flannel, jersey, and sateen, and they have different densities depending if you’re looking for something more relaxed or crisp.
Coyuchi’s bedding is GOTS and their organic cotton is also Fair Trade Certified. They also have a take-back recycling program for used linens.
Price: $$
Based in: USA, ships US only
Sizing: US
9. Maison Tess
Maison Tess makes linen, cotton, cotton/Tencel blend and cotton/linen blend sheets in variety of colours. So they’re great if you’re looking to combine the benefit of different fibres.
They do not use organic cotton, but their bedding is Oeko-Tex certified. They also have very little info about their cotton sourcing, so personally I would only recommend their linen options or if you’re looking for the benefits of a blended fabric.
Price: $$$$
Based in: Canada, ships international
Sizing: US
Sweet dreams!
Annie
This post literally could not have been at a more perfect time! Just ripped our 6 year old starter sheets and are looking for the next step that will be sustainable and hopefully ethical. Have you looked at Ettitude at all? Thanks so much for the great post!
Verena Erin
Wonderful! 🙂
I didn’t include Ettitude because I don’t like recommending bamboo as a sustainable fabric. However taking a second look at them they actually seem to be responsibly sourcing their bamboo and use a closed-loop system which is a lot better than most bamboo fabrics!
Annie
Thanks for the reply! I really like bamboo for most things, but really appreciate you pointing out that a lot of the time it’s not made sustainably or is sourced irresponsibly, even if bamboo theoretically could be.