Sustainable Vegan Bedding (the best brands)
When times comes to replace your bedding, look for natural (ideally organic) cotton, linen or hemp. Not only are these better for the planet, but you’ll feel more comfortable, as they stay cool in summer and warm in winter, and let your skin breathe through the night (so you won’t wake up feeling sweaty and clammy!)
These materials cost a little more, but as the fibres aren’t treated by chemicals, they should last longer. And they safely launder without releasing microplastics from machines. For synthetic bedding (polyester etc), launder in a microfiber filter.
Bedding can be made (a bit like measuring for bras!) to feel very complicated, with different kinds of sheets and pillowcases (Oxford etc). And then all the tog ratings. Then there are different kinds of mattresses (the ‘natural ones’ tend to use wool so are no good for vegans, but then you don’t want toxic fire retardants). But obviously need to keep safe. So what are the options? Let’s find out!
Natural bedding sets
If you are going to buy bedding, it makes far more sense to buy a complete set, rather than individual sheets or pillowcases, as this just makes things more expensive.
- Babies need a fitted sheet (to avoid it bunching up). But as adults, choosing a flat or fitted sheet is your choice, but it doesn’t need to be complicated, just go with what you prefer. Then choose matching pillowcases and a duvet cover (buy two sets if preferred, so one can be in the wash).
- The two main types of pillowcases are housewife (a plain sewn edge) and Oxford (a border decorative frame around the edge).
- Thread count for sheets simply means the number of threads woven into one square inch (higher threads are more durable, but tend to also be heavier). The quality is more to do with the fabric than a number.
Wash natural bedding with mild laundry powder (unscented for pregnancy/nursing and if pets sleep on your bed. Avoid fabric conditioner (reduces absorbency) and line dry bedding where possible, smoothing by hand or ironing while a little damp.
Sustainable bedding and fire regulations
First, let’s get the most important information out of the way. Organic bedding (and pyjamas) are free from chemical fire retardants. They still have to (legally) comply with fire regulations, but as with all bedrooms, use common sense to keep safe in the bedroom:
- Don’t smoke in bedrooms (or indoors – use a personal ashtray outside).
- Avoid overloaded plugs
- Choose oil radiators over convector heaters (these give off hot air through fans, and cause heatstroke in people and pets, as well as being very expensive to run).
- Don’t leave warm laptops or phones on beds.
- Test smoke alarms weekly
- Avoid fabric conditioners (these can increase flammability in fabrics). You can soften clothes naturally by adding half a cup of cleaning vinegar to the rinse cycle (or half a cup of bicarbonate-of-soda to the wash cycle).
Avoid perfumes, essential oils or scented candles in bedrooms near babies or pets. Avoid pet-toxic indoor plants (including sago palm and lilies).
Bedding safety for babies and children
The Lullaby Trust has info on dressing babies safely for sleep. In summary:
- It does not recommend weighted swaddles, blankets or sleeping bags for babies under one year, due to risk of overheating or head covering, they can also restrict breathing by pressing on the chest. Do not use if a child’s head can pass through the neck opening, when fastened. Nor if a child can climb out of a cot.
- If you use a sleeping bag, don’t add extra blankets on top. Add an extra layer of clothing or choose a higher tog sleeping bag, if your baby feels cold.
- Ensure sleeping bags fit well around the neck and shoulders, so babies can’t wriggle down inside, and follow maker’s tog guide for the right temperature. Items should follow British Standards.
- One blanket doubled over counts as two (this could increase overheating, so ensure an extra blanket is lightweight. Air trapped between layers increases warmth.
- Hats (and socks) should be removed indoors (including in cars), as babies lose heat through their heads.
More tips for safe sleeping
- The Lullaby Trust recommends against co-sleeping with babies in the same bed, but to be in the same room for at least the first six months). And never let babies fall asleep on sofas/armchairs.
- Buy new mattresses (used ones could contain mould), and avoid cot bumpers (they should be illegal to sell). NHS.
- The Lullaby Trust say to avoid any ‘clutter’ in cots (toys or soft bedding), just use a firm flat mattress and a fitted (not flat) sheet (with no pillows until at least 2 years old).
- To avoid ‘flat head syndrome’, just give babies plenty of ‘supervised tummy time’ while awake.
Dip & Doze (affordable organic cotton bedding)
Dip & Doze offers quality organic cotton bedding sets to treat the planet and your skin kindly, helping to regulate temperature as you sleep. In a range of muted colours to match any bedroom design.
These sets include a duvet cover and two pillowcases, you buy the sheets separately. Everything is sold with a 30-day sleep trial and a tree is planted for every order.
The duvet covers (and pillow cases) feature deep inner stop pockets, to prevent duvets poking out between the buttons (made from plastic-free corozo nuts) and the hand size labels prevents putting bedding on the wrong way or on the wrong size bed.
Ethically made in India, the sets are sold in drawstring bags made from fabric waste. After purchase, these are great as bags to store shoes, toys or sewing kits.
Comfortable Linen Bedding Sets (in beautiful colours)
These linen duvet sets are sold in beautiful colours, plain or with pretty Pembroke-style stripes. Linen is a very comfortable material for bedding, that’s warm in winter and cool in summer. It also absorbs moisture well, so you retain a comfortable night’s sleep, even if you sweat a lot in bed.
Linen (along with cotton and hemp) are the best ‘natural fibres’ to use for bedding, as they don’t release microplastics (try to choose organic or recycled cotton, as conventional cotton uses pesticides). Linen comes from flaxseeds, so is more local (often grown in Europe) and uses less water than cotton.
Linen creases a bit, so just go with ‘crumpled bedding’, and site the bed away from strong sunlight, to avoid fading. Even better, you can safely wash linen, without releasing microplastics from the machine.
This linen is pre-washed for a fabric that should last around a third longer than cotton. Do not bleach fabric. Sold with a sets of matching pillowcases.
Launder with mild laundry powder, and wash inside out to protect surface fibres (avoid bleach or fabric conditioner). Line dry where possible, and smooth by hand or iron while still a little damp. Avoid sunlight to preserve colour (this may involve rearranging your bed, if it’s in a sunny room).
LittleLeaf (beautiful organic cotton bedding sets)
LittleLeaf Organic bedding sets (use code Naturally to receive an extra pair of pillowcases for each set sold) include a sateen weave sheet and pillowcases, with matching duvet cover. All at fair prices so everyone can benefit.
Making a wonderful housewarming treat or a gift to others, choose from many muted colours. The 300 thread count means this is luxury to sleep in too! Made with solar power, the sets are packaged in beautiful reusable organic cotton bags.
Luff (cooling bamboo bedding and mattresses)
Luff is a brand of eco-friendly bedding, that has been designed with sleep experts and doctors, to ensure proper alignment of the spine, while in the land of nod. Natural bamboo (industrial bamboo is not the same as fresh shoots eaten by pandas) helps you to stay warm in winter, and cool in summer.
The organic bamboo bedding sets help you stay cool at night. Made with wooden buttons, they are sold in various sizes from single to super-king. Pillows combine bamboo with a blue cooling gel, so a bit like memory foam, but without the chemical drawbacks.
The bamboo mattress is designed to last years, and again keeps you comfortable and cool. This is a non-flip mattress, just turn it once a month to keep it firm. It has individual pocket springs, to take various weights.
Sold with a 10-year warranty and 200-night trial. The cover is removable, but dry clean only. Sold with an optional eco alternative to memory foam mattress topper.
Panda bamboo bedding sets are comfortable and breathable, sold in an array of beautiful designs and colours. The bedding sets include blends of bamboo and linen (very comfortable and breathable).
Hidden straps attach to corner loops, so even wriggly sleepers will see duvets stay put. And even the buttons are made from bamboo (no plastic). The sets are sold in beautiful presentation cases, for easy storage.
Panda Duck-Friendly Vegan Bamboo Duvets!
Panda Bamboo Duvets are not just comfortable and sustainable, but free from feathers, so kind to ducks (and geese) and anyone with allergies.
Eider ducks are native to Iceland, and although the naturally fallen feathers are collected without harm, only a few tonnes is collected each year (so other ‘eider down’ duvets are likely from factory-farmed geese).
These thermo-regulating duvets (all sold with 5-year guarantees) are warm in winter and cool in summer.
Choose from:
- 10.5 tog for year-round cosy comfort, with sewn-through pockets.
- 4.5 tog summer duvet (good for ‘hot sleepers’)
- Children’s duvet for year-round comfort
Panda Memory Foam Bamboo Pillows are super-comfortable and with orthopaedic grade support and amazing airflow. Enjoy free delivery, a free 30-night risk-free trial and a 10-year guarantee.
Designed to naturally contour all sleeping positions for perfect alignment, these are suitable for front, back or slide sleepers. For children over two, there are pillow options.
Panda Bamboo Vegan Mattresses
Panda bamboo mattresses are thermo-regulating, to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. Both mattresses combine sleep-friendly bamboo-infused memory foam. You also get free home delivery (to your room of choice), and a free 100-night trial.
Sold with a 10-year guarantee, the mattresses are in single, double or king size. Flip regularly to prolong life, and invest in a washable cover. The site has full info on how to choose the best size and firmness of mattress, and how to care for it after purchase. Sold with a free recycling service of your old mattress.
As a new mattress is an expensive purchase, sign up to Panda London Club (to get emails) and enjoy 10% off your first order.
Hybrid Bamboo Mattress is wrapped in a removable washable cover, with layers of memory foam for comfort, including orthopaedic grade foam and up to 960 individually-wrapped memory springs. It has medium-firm support for all sleeping positions. It’s good for back/side sleepers, without excessive sinking!
Hybrid Bamboo Mattress Pro (slightly firmer) blends bamboo-infused memory foam with orthopaedic grade foam, to create breathable, pressure-point perfect comfort. With up to 1500 individually encased pocket springs, you can enjoy bespoke comfort, until morning. The comfort base also means no more waking up, if you have a ‘wriggly partner!’
Bamboo mattress toppers can be added to your purchase, for more comfort. Note they take up to 36 hours to expand, before use.
Panda Memory Foam Bamboo Pillows are super-comfortable and with orthopaedic grade support and amazing airflow. Enjoy free delivery, a free 30-night risk-free trial and a 10-year guarantee.
Designed to naturally contour all sleeping positions for perfect alignment, these are suitable for front, back or slide sleepers. For children over two, there are pillow options.
Sleepy Doe (organic cotton nightwear)
Sleepy Doe offers pretty floral pyjamas for women (and matching sets for children) in lovely patterns like vintage rose, with popper openings and no side seams. Everything is made from 100% organic cotton, with eco dyes, and made ethically in independent, family-run factories and businesses in the UK and Spain.
Everything is sent in easy-to-recycle packaging, and avoids extra inserts. Collections remain small, to avoid fabric waste.
Little Leaf Organic also make nice organic cotton nightwear sets (pyjamas and robes with elasticated waists, adjustable drawstrings and coconut shell buttons, sold in organic cotton bags).
