They say you spend up to one third of your life in bed.  (Not sure who “they” are – possibly the same people who have figured out how to open an account on Twitter?) So if you’re a green girl or guy (or even just concerned about your health), you’re going to want to keep that one-third of your life toxin-free and eco-friendly.  But the world of green bedding can be intimidating.  Not Anthony Soprano intimidating, but a bit much to take on.  

Why?  Because arguments abound as to what exactly constitutes eco-friendly and the toxins used to make bedding are myriad.  There has been a recent move towards bamboo bedding, which is made from low-impact, sustainable bamboo.  If you’re wondering why suddenly it seems like everything green is bamboo, it is because bamboo grows quickly and, if harvested correctly, is much more sustainable than wood, cotton, etc.  But apparently, it can be problematic to grow; sometimes rainforests are cut down to plant bamboo, and it can be treated with bleach and/or caustic sodas. Organic cotton can be great, but not if it contains “10% spandex.”  Between the organic cotton spandex pillows and the caustic bamboo sheets, who is to know the best eco-product?  We do!  And here’s our guide to the best eco-bedding you can cuddle into.     

Sheets

Good sheets are the staple of a good bed.  Who doesn’t love luxurious sheets to slide around on?  The latest trends in eco-bedding are bamboo sheets, which are known for being as soft as any high thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets.  These sheets from Pure Fiber are a great choice for anyone looking for sustainable bedding.  Made from 100% bamboo, they are “subtly cool, extremely breathable, and boast a softer touch than a 700 thread count cotton sheet.”  They are also manufactured under strict standards.  I was lucky enough to run my hands over these sheets at a recent green trade show, and I can vouch for their high-silky softness. 

Organic cotton sheets are another great alternative; organic cotton keeps pesticides and herbicides out of the water and air in the community where it's grown (cotton is primarily cultivated in India, Pakistan and the United States) and out of your bedroom. There are gorgeous options from a number of retailers these days; from inexpensive ones in basic whites, creams and colors from Target, to super-luxe Anna Sova sheet sets in vibrant brights, to pretty prints in neutral, natural color-grown cottons (these aren't dyed, but are the colors of the type of cotton that they are made from). You can get monogrammed organic sheets from Pottery Barn, or look at almost any major retailer or department store.

Blankets

The Organic Cotton Fireside Blanket and Throw is a luxurious choice for your bed.  It is super soft and made from 100% organic cotton.  I am lucky enough to own one and it makes me wish I had an actual fireside to sit next to, instead of a window with a palm tree.  And it’s from Gaiam, so you know it is eco-friendly.  Gaiam is a fantastic company that’s been around since 1988 (eons in green product years).  They are wholly committed to promoting the cause of Mother Earth, and this means their product is free of pesticides, chlorine, dyes and other chemical treatments.

Pillows

The Organic Kapok Pillows from Gaiam are another great eco-choice.  There are a lot of organic pillows out there, but there aren’t a lot of great organic pillows.  (Has anyone else ever been burned by an eco-friendly pillow that promised sustainability and left you with a neck-crick that could knock out a witch?  I can’t be the only one…) However, the Kapoks from Gaiam are the elusive combination of being green and also super-comfy.  They are made from the silky fibers of sustainably-harvested seed pods from kapok trees.  They are also hypo-allergenic and have a comfortable 250-thread count organic cotton shell. 

Comforters

The best comforters are hand-me-down quilts.  If you are lucky enough to have ancestors who sewed, you probably have a quilt or two in your family.  If it is a little under the weather, (as most old quilts can be,) you can take it to a quilt doctor.  Check your local listings or contact this one. 

If you want to invest in an eco-friendly quilt, the Organic Wool Comforter from Buygreen.com is a great choice.   Made from 100% Eco Pure Organic Wool, it is grown in the United States. (Yay smaller American carbon footprint!)  It is non-toxic and sustainable.  Best of all, it can be customized to your own standards and measurements.

Finally, if you want to go local for your purchases, here are some locations that might be near you.

Los Angeles

Soft Forest is a great eco-friendly linens store located in Pasadena, CA.  Rated the top four leaves from Greenopia, they use products from 100% sustainable bamboo.  They offer great sheets, blankets, as well as towels and kitchen wares.  (Have we mentioned that bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial and allergen-free?)

San Francisco

A Happy Planet is another top-rated, eco-friendly store that offers comforters, blankets, pillows, linens and more.  All of their products are certified organic, from hand-picked cotton, natural rubber, to pure wool.  They also carry an adorable organic baby line.

New York City

ABC Carpet and Home offers gorgeous, colorful organic bedding (check out their site!) with a company philosophy that is firmly in support of the environment.  With a four-leaf rating from Greenopia, they are committed to a small carbon footprint and a maximum social justice impact.