My only gripe with the deluxe version is that it doesn’t have straps (the standard does, but I haven’t tried that). While it doesn’t slide off—it stays in place thanks to the cotton cover—the corners sometimes bunch up when you change the sheets and need to be smoothed.
The best organic bedding
It makes no sense to spend $1,000 on an organic mattress, then buy inorganic sheets that will come in direct contact with your skin. Here are some of our favorite organic sheets to cover your new organic mattress.
Soft cotton sheets
These are the best organic cotton sheets I’ve tested. They’re soft but not too silky, which is a feeling I don’t care for (if I do, see the Butter sheet below). Brooklinen organic cotton sheets are made from GOTS certified organic cotton. They also Oeko-Tex certifiedmeaning they have been tested and do not contain any known harmful chemicals. The 300 thread count makes the fabric very crisp and soft but not so tight that you get hot while sleeping. This is a great choice for summer or if like me you sleep somewhere warm even in winter.
Gives a silk-like feel
These 600 count sheets are like sleeping on silk or satin. Somehow they really are 100 percent GOTS certified Organic cotton from India. The only potential problem here is that because they are densely woven, they sleep a little warmer than what you might be used to. The avocado also comes in a 400-count version, which I haven’t tested, but that may be a better choice for warm sleepers.
Hotel-style bed linens are soft and crisp
I first tried Antipodean wool blankets (see next section), which I love, but I recently started sleeping on these sheets and am confident enough to say they are excellent. They remind me of the sheets you’ll find in high-end hotels – wonderfully clean, soft and crisp white sheets. Like any of the organic cotton sheets here, they are naturally hypoallergenic. They’re made from super-fine, long-staple organic cotton, with a heavier weave that makes them a bit heavy. Everything Antipodean makes is grown sustainably on low-impact farms that employ regenerative farming methods. These are also breathable. I haven’t really slept with them enthusiastically, but so far they’ve been fine on nights when the only bedding I need is the sheet.
Linen sheet
Organic linen sheets are a potential heirloom—high-quality, well-cared-for linen will last for years, if not decades. That said, if you’re used to 600-grade cotton like the sheets above, linen sheets will be different. They get firmer but get softer with each wash (cold water, mild detergent, cool or air dry). What doesn’t change is their weight. If you like thick covers then these are the sheets for you. Linen is also breathable and cooler than other fabrics, making it a good choice for hot sleepers. It’s also durable. Avocado’s organic linen sheets are some of the heaviest fabrics I’ve tried and will probably last for years. The bottom sheet is fitted (sometimes linen sheets are flat) and has a matching hem. duvet cover ($439).
A great organic wool blanket
To complete your organic bedding collection, you need a good organic comforter. The favorite I tested was Antipodean’s organic merino wool blanket. Is one of our authors guide to merino woolI already liked the Antipodean wool blanket, but even I was surprised by how much I liked it. Like most wool products, Antipodean wool blankets have amazing properties that sound too good to be true, such as keeping you warm but still breathable enough so you rarely overheat. (I’m a hot sleeper and I can vouch for this.) Wool can do this because it’s what’s called an active fiber – meaning it responds to changes in body temperature and the environment as it insulates, heats and cools a sheep. As a result, the blanket has given me the best sleep I’ve ever had. One thing to note, this blanket is much heavier than what most people are used to. I don’t mind, but sometimes it feels almost like a weighted blanket.
Organic pillows
We have the whole thing Pillow making instructionsBut we’re going to add some more natural options here, because if you’re trying to get away phthalates and other chemicals, your pillow is just as important as your mattress.
The top organic pick in our pillow guide, the best part about the Avocado Green Pillow is that you can easily modify it. For example, I hate fluffy pillows; I like pillows that are almost flat. So I just unzipped the Butter pillow, took out half the stuffing (my kids use it to make sock puppets) and finally had the pillow of my dreams. My son, who likes an overstuffed pillow, took some of the extra stuffing Avocado gives you and overstuffed his pillow. Everyone wins. The filling here is chopped finely Organic latex is GOLS certified and GOTS certified organic cotton. The quilted organic cotton cover is beautiful, soft and not too hot. I’ve had mine for four years now and it’s still as good as the day I got it.
How we test and what to look for in an organic mattress
Mattresses are large in size, so checking them is time-consuming and space-consuming. Members of the WIRED Gear team have been testing mattresses for years, and we’ve slept on every mattress on this list for at least a few weeks, often longer—in many cases, longer than years. That said, there’s no way for us to test them all. Here are some general tips, tricks, and things to keep in mind when buying an organic mattress online.
- Know what type of sleeper you are: Different mattresses are designed for different sleeping styles. Are you a side sleeper? Stomach sleep? Sleeping on your back? Or are you like me, a little bit of everything (what they call a combination bed)? Knowing the answer to this question can help you narrow your search for mattresses that fit your sleeping habits. This is where mattress reviews like ours come in handy; We test every type of sleeper.
- Do You Like Hard, Soft, Medium? Mattresses come in a variety of firmness options, often within the same model. Which one is right for you depends on the firmness you like, as well as any problems you may have, such as back pain.
- Innerspring vs. Foam: Organic mattresses come in two basic types: traditional innerspring coil designs and pure foam. We primarily test and recommend internal springs in this guide, although pure foam designs have improved in recent years and we’re currently in the process of testing a few. The biggest difference in my experience is the amount of heat the foam retains. It’s a good choice for cold sleepers, while hot sleepers are better off with the traditional pocketed coil design.
- Find trial period: Everyone makes mistakes; To avoid making a potential mistake, make sure the mattress you’re considering has a sleep trial mode. Everything listed here offers some sort 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 lot of money just to get a good, environmentally friendly night’s sleep.
- Check warranty: Lifetime warranties are rare these days, but most mattresses we tested offer warranties of around 25 years. Some companies limit this period to 10 years but view such companies with suspicion. A good mattress will last more than 10 years, and good companies are willing to support their products for that long.
- Waiting for sales: Mattresses are always on sale, usually every few months for most brands. Unless you need a new mattress right now, you’re probably better off waiting for the next big sale.
What makes an organic mattress?
To help you understand the often confusing world of organic mattresses, here are some terms and certifications to know.
The big name in organic certifications and especially organic cotton certification is Global Organic Textile Standardoften abbreviated as GOTS. It not only looks at how cotton is grown and processed but also at ecological and social criteriaand it uses Third party independent verification that those standards are being met. If you’re curious, you can Read version 6 of the standard online.
