How to Shop for Organic Bedding – And the Brands You Can Trust Not to Greenwash

A white bedroom with a large double bed with striped headboard, white bedding, and matching striped and pink cushions. To the left of the bed is a wooden bedside table with a lamp on top, and a large window filling the room with natural light.

The best organic bedding is better for your body and for the environment. When you opt for organic cotton, bamboo, or latex over polyester and microfiber, you're choosing to protect your skin from cheap, synthetic materials and the planet from harsher manufacturing impacts.

But organic bedding is also easily one of the most misunderstood categories in home shopping – and one of the easiest places to be misled. The very meaning of 'organic bedding' is often clouded by concerns about greenwashing, confusion over certifications, and uncertainty about a brand’s true ethical intent. And, with organic bedding almost always costing more than conventional alternatives, it's important to make sure that what you're shopping is truly organic.

That's why, as the resident Sleep Editor at Homes & Gardens, I'm here to clear up the confusion and help you to make informed, organic purchases we've tried, tested, and approved as belonging among the best bedding picks.

What 'Organic Bedding' Actually Means

We've all heard of the terms 'organic,' 'natural,' and 'eco-friendly,' but what do they actually mean when you are shopping for organic bedding?

To find out more, I spoke to Petra Rudolfet, who is an OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON product manager. OEKO-TEX® ORGANIC COTTON is a recognised industry standard that allows people to make responsible decisions and protect natural resources, as it verifies from farm to product, and tests for Genetically Modified Cotton (GMO), pesticides, and other harmful substances.

Petra explains, 'When we talk about organic bedding, we’re referring to products made from natural materials like cotton, linen, or wool that come from verified organic sources. This means the raw materials are grown without GMOs, pesticides, or other harmful substances.

'It also involves proper animal welfare standards when they are part of the production chain. Essentially, it’s about ensuring that every step of the production process, from field to fabric, meets strict criteria.'

In particular, Petra highlights that, though people often use the terms 'organic' and 'natural' interchangeably, they're actually quite different.

'Natural refers to the material’s origin; it comes from nature,' she advises. 'So, cotton from a cotton plant, wool from sheep, linen from the flax plant, those are all natural fibers.

'Organic means more sustainable farming practices were used; no GMOs, pesticides, proper animal welfare standards, and so on. You can have natural materials that aren’t organic at all if they were grown with conventional methods.'

You may also have heard of 'organic manufacturing,' but there's actually no such thing, shares Petra.

'The term “organic” specifically refers to the raw materials themselves – the fibres,' she says. 'It doesn’t describe the production process. Manufacturing can be sustainable or socially responsible, but it can’t technically be organic. That’s why it’s important to look for certifications that cover the entire supply chain (more on that below), not just the fibre sourcing.

'Organic is a defined term when it comes to the materials, but it doesn’t consider what happens during production, such as potential chemical inputs in dyeing or finishing. That’s why consumers should be on the lookout for additional certifications that test for harmful substances in the final product.'

And, Petra warns, don't get misled by 'eco-friendly' claims when it comes to shopping for organic bedding – the term is meaningless when used alone, and commonly used to greenwash and mislead consumers.

'It’s not a protected term,' adds Petra. 'Anyone can add the words “eco-friendly” to their packaging without providing a shred of proof or meeting any actual standards. It sounds nice, but without third-party certifications backing it up, it's just empty marketing language.

'Be skeptical of vague terms such as “green,” “natural,” “ecological,” “sustainable,” “better choice,” or “safer” when they’re used without any verification. These buzzwords sound appealing, but they’re often greenwashing tactics that don’t ensure any real standards were met.

'Always look for legitimate third-party certifications as that’s your assurance that what you’re buying is truly what it claims to be.'

The Certifications That Matter When Shopping for Organic Bedding

Know exactly what to look out for, and why. (Image credit: Future / Julia Currie)

So, which certifications do matter? You're looking for logos on the care tag, badges or product listings that reference any of the following:

GOLS	Global Organic Latex Standard. Ensures that minimum 95% of the product is made from organic latex. Covers the entire production chain, from farm to factory, screening for synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
GOTS	Global Organic Textile Standard. Ensures that minimum 95% of the product is made from organic raw materials and upholds stringent worker protections.
MADE SAFE	A non-toxic certification, screening for 6,500 banned and restricted substances.
GREENGUARD Gold	Ensures low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your home.
OEKO-TEX	Ensure every component in bedding is free from toxic substances.
Fair Trade	Ensures materials are sourced ethically and workers are paid fairly.
B Corporation	Certified by B Lab. Awarded to companies that uphold the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility.
Climate Neutral	Awarded to brands that measure and offset their carbon footprint.
1% for the Planet	Awarded to brands that donate 1% of annual sales to environmental causes.
PETA-Approved Vegan	Awarded to brands that avoid all animal products.

Shopping Organic vs Alternative Bedding Types

Organic isn't always necessarily best, particularly if you're on a tighter budget. (Image credit: Future / Sarah Kaye Representation)

Organic isn't always the right answer, but you should know what you're choosing if shopping for alternatives. Here are some materials you may come across when shopping for organic bedding or the best bed sheets, and exactly what they mean:

• Organic cotton: This is exactly as it sounds – cotton that's grown from non-genetically modified seeds, without the presence of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Organic cotton will also typically adhere to strict, certified farming standards, as certified by bodies such as Fair Trade and GOTS, such as the Brooklinen Organic Cotton Core Sheet Set. If cotton is not grown in these circumstances, it's not organic.
• Linen: The same applies to linen, except this breathable, durable material is made from flax plants, and is primarily sourced in Europe. For example, Piglet in Bed linen products are sustainably made in Portugal.
• Bamboo viscose: Bamboo viscose is soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking, and is a regenerated cellulose fiber derived from bamboo pulp. Though it comes from bamboo, a fast-growing plant, it's not typically considered organic, as the manufacturing process is chemically intensive, which is why it's not certified by GOTS. That being said, Cozy Earth is the world’s leader in responsibly sourced viscose, and picks like the Bamboo Bedding Deluxe Bundle, available at Cozy Earth, are naturally breathable and temperature-regulating.
• Lyocell or TENCEL: A better alternative is Lyocell, which, though not organic, is highly sustainable and made from natural wood cellulose. It's also biodegradable and compostable. TENCEL is a branded version of Lyocell, produced by Lenzing AG from responsibly sourced wood pulp.

The Health and Sustainability Benefits of Organic Bedding

Organic bedding is better for your health, home, and the planet. (Image credit: Future / Jonathan Bond Photography)

As Petra assures me, the benefits of shopping for the best organic bedding really span both environmental and personal health.

'Environmentally, organic production means significantly less soil pollution since there are no pesticides or harmful substances contaminating the earth,' she explains. 'This also protects groundwater quality and typically requires less water consumption than conventionally grown fibres.'

There are also, if organic bedding is certified, meaning the whole production chain is looked into, benefits from a human perspective, which go far beyond being sustainable at home.

'It creates healthier working conditions for everyone involved, from farmers in the fields to workers in the factories, because they’re not exposed to less harmful chemicals day in and day out,' continues Petra. 'And for the end consumer? You’re sleeping on textiles with a lot fewer harmful substances, or residues, which matters because bedding is in constant contact with your skin for hours every night. It's really a win-win, across the board!'

In turn, this makes shopping for organic bedding beneficial if you suspect that your bedding is one of the things secretly making your allergies worse at home. To further combat allergens, I'd also suggest you invest in one of the best air purifiers – our top pick is the Shark NeverChange Air Purifier, available at Amazon.

Organic bedding is also likely to last longer, typically coming at a more premium price point.

What Organic Bedding Should Cost

Premium materials typically come at with a premium price tag to match. (Image credit: Future / BRENT DARBY PHOTOGRAPHY LIMITED)

When shopping for organic bedding, you must set your expectations. Put simply: You are going to be spending more.

How much you're prepared to spend on organic bedding, though, depends on the specific products you're buying. As a general rule, the best pillows and best mattress protectors are more affordable than sheet sets and comforters.

I always recommend setting an upper and lower limit to your budget. I would never spend less than $50 on organic bedding: Any lower, and you're almost certainly working with cheap, synthetic fibers.

Something around $300 is a good price for an organic sheet set or comforter in a Queen size, such as the Diamond-Stitched Organic Cotton Comforter, available at Coyuchi. You can get an organic mattress protector for more like $250. Depending on the fill type, you could pick up an organic pillow for anywhere between $100 and $150.

That being said, Petra assures that, in reality, organic items don't necessarily have to be dramatically more expensive than conventional ones. It's just that if they're labelled 'organic' and are particularly affordable, alarm bells should ring.

'Yes, companies do invest more in obtaining certifications, and you’d hope they’re paying workers fair wages, which can add some cost,' she explains. 'But often the most expensive part of a product isn't the production or materials themselves; it's things like marketing, branding, and retail markup.

'Of course, we’re not talking about fast fashion or super-cheap mass production here. Quality organic bedding should be reasonably priced for what it is, but consumers shouldn’t assume they need to pay luxury prices just because something is organic. If they do pay a premium, it should be for verified quality and ethical practices, not just the word “organic” on a label.'

Knowing where to spend and save can make a huge difference, too. For example, you might decide to invest in one of the best organic mattresses that will last years (our top recommendation is the PlushBeds Botanical Bliss mattress), but opt for cheaper alternatives when it comes to shopping for sheets or the best mattress protector for your budget, for example.

How We Test and Assess Organic Bedding at Homes & Gardens

Testing the SCHERSMIN Duvet cover and pillowcase, available at IKEA, which is made of 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. (Image credit: Future / Ottilie)

As the resident Sleep Writer at Homes & Gardens, I lead a team of expert testers in the search to find the world's best bedding. Together, we represent a wide range of ages, sleep styles, and body types, and we live right across the country, in humid cities in the South and snow-capped corners of the Midwest. We test bedding for a minimum of 30 nights before we write our reviews to get an accurate indication of future performance and sleep comfort.

Our testing methodology varies between different types of bedding. When it comes to bed sheets, we consider look and feel, thermoregulation, and durability when washing. We also consider the range of colors and sizes available, as well as the ease of care. To learn more about how we test bed sheets, consult our expert guide.

When we test comforters and duvet inserts, we consider warmth, weight, and ease of care. We follow the care instructions to clean the comforter and monitor its performance before and after. Our expert explainer contains more information about how we test comforters.

We assess all pillows against the same criteria: Comfort, support, thermoregulation, and durability, or how the look and feel of the pillow changes over weeks and months of use. Consult our expert guide to learn more about how we test pillows.

We assess mattress protectors for comfort, thermoregulation, waterproofing, noise levels, and ease of care. Here's more information about how we test protectors.

And, when it comes to shopping for organic bedding, certification checks also play a big part. We want to make sure that we're bringing you truly organic picks and avoiding any greenwashing or eco-friendly claims that aren't backed up. For this, we check the care label and thoroughly research the brand, along with their values and manufacturing process.

The Best Organic Bedding Brands Designers and Editors Trust

To cut through the noise of the best organic bedding brands and best ethical bedding brands, these are the ones we recommend time and time again, all of which meet recognized organic standards.

Here, you can compare them side-by-side, or simply click through to the site to browse.

10 Organic Bedding Brands to Browse

	Known For	Certifications (Read more about what these mean)	Price Positioning	Where They Manufacture
ettitude	Lifestyle brand which specializes in ethically made, sustainable bedding and home products, made with their signature, proprietary 100% CleanBamboo® lyocell fabric.	OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 CLASS I (ensuring safety for babies), B Corp™, Eco-Cert Certified Organic, FSC® Certified Bamboo sourced exclusively from FSC-certified forests, guaranteeing responsible forest management, and Climate Neutral. Each fiscal year, ettitude also donates 1% of its sales to 1% for the Planet. Learn more here.	Premium	China and Peru
Coyuchi	The first brand to make organic bedding. 100% of their products are made of natural fibers, 99% are GOTS or GOLS certified, and 0% contain plastics or toxins.	GOTS certified, GOLS certified, Fair Trade certified, and certified Made Safe. They also use NATIVA traceable wool, and have also kept 186,754 lbs of fabric out of landfills since starting their Renewed category. Learn more here.	Premium to luxury	USA, with materials sourced from Germany, India, Portugal and Turkey.
woolroom	The world's only fully traceable wool bedding and mattresses, made from 100% natural and biodegradable materials. Their wool bedding is also machine-washable.	Traceable British wool, OEKO-TEX® Class 100 Certified, and certified Free from harmful VOCs. Woolroom’s farms, production facilities, Organic Washable Bedding and Arinta bed linen collection are also all GOTS Certified, and their products meet the criteria for the Shepherd’s Crook mark, and hold the Allergy UK Seal of Approval. Learn more here.	Premium	UK, USA, and Europe
Brooklinen	Dedicated Organic Collection	All sheets are certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX, and the Organic Cotton Sheets are also GOTS-certified. Learn more here.	Affordable luxury	Portugal, Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, India, China, Peru, Canada, and the USA.
Saatva	Luxury, high-quality mattresses that champion sustainability.	Saatva sells GOTS certified organic & OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified bedding. Learn more here.	Premium luxury	USA
Birch	Mattresses made from responsibly sourced materials.	All cotton in Birch bedding is organic, Fair Trade and GREENGUARD Gold Certified. Learn more here.	Premium	USA
Avocado	More verified full-product certifications than almost any brand in the world.	Certified B Corporation, GOTS for certified organic products, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I, MADE SAFE, EWG VERIFIED, GREENGUARD Gold, 1% for the Planet, The Climate Label, Formaldehyde Free. Learn more here.	Premium	USA
Boll & Branch	The first ever 100% organic and Fair Trade certified bedding company.	Fair Trade Certified, OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, GOTS certified, Organic 100 Content Standard, IDFL Down Standard, Responsible Down Standard, Asthma & Allergy Friendly certified, SA8000 Standard, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production, and partnered with HireAPartner. Learn more here.	Luxury	USA, India, Portugal, Belgium, India, Turkey, and Pakistan.
BedThreads	Popularizing the 'Build Your Own Bundle' Concept, and flax-linen bedding. They now have a line of organic cotton bedding, too.	GOTS Certified, OEKO-TEX Organic Cotton. Learn more here.	Affordable luxury	Turkey and China
IKEA	Affordable beds, mattresses, and bedding.	Not all IKEA bedding is organic, but I have included them here as they do have some brilliant, affordable options. For example, I tested and loved the SCHERSMIN Duvet cover and pillowcases, available at IKEA.	Budget-friendly	Globally

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