What to Look For
You spend a third of your life in bed, so it stands to reason that you want to be sleeping on the purest, most chemical-free bedding you can find. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you begin your search:
Materials
Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or genetically engineered crops.
Sheets made of bamboo fiber are another good alternative. It takes much fewer resources to raise bamboo than cotton--even organic cotton. Bamboo is naturally pest-resistant and, when grown properly, requires few pesticides. However, it does undergo a chemically intensive production process so look for bamboo cloth that has been mechanically, not chemically, processed. Futhermore, sheets made of 100 percent bamboo are still hard to find; most are blends made with conventional cotton.
Both hemp and linen are derived from plants that, like bamboo, grow quickly and need few pesticides or insecticides. Hemp and linen sheets are known for their durability, and they're rare treasures if you can find them at estate sales or antique shops. New sheets made from hemp and linen are usually sold only online and imported from Europe.
Dyes
People who prefer colored sheets to brighten up their décor should look for either heavy-metal-free or vegetable-based dyes. A product that uses "SKAL-certified" dyes means that they are free of heavy metals. Also, check out FoxFiber™ "color-grown" cotton, which is bred (not genetically-modified) to grow in different colors, though usually only browns, beiges and greens. Color-grown cotton is also less likely to fade in the wash than dyed cotton.
Chlorine-Free Bleaching
Conventional cotton, and some organic cotton, is bleached with chlorine after harvesting in a process that releases cancer-causing dioxin into the atmosphere. Opt for unbleached or chlorine-free bleached cotton sheets.
Chemical-Free Finishes
Some finishes, such as those to prevent stains and wrinkles, can release formaldehyde into the air. Choose unfinished sheets or those process with no chemicals.
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