by — 31 Jan 2019 17:53
The end of 2018 saw the launch of many home-grown bedding brands, most selling sustainably produced, and luxuriously soft, bedsheets. No longer just about thread count, quality bedding is now about where the material is from, how it is made, and, of course, how it affects your health. We share four bedding brands that hit the mark.
Annette sells French linen bedsheets that have been put through a delicate stone-washing process. Linen sheets are particularly suitable for hot climates, as they keep cool and dry quickly, due to their high moisture absorbency rate. Not only does linen have antibacterial properties, it ages gracefully, too. You’ll be using these sheets for years to come.
Made from the strong fibres of the flax plant, linen is known to be 30 per cent stronger than cotton and requires less water, pesticide and energy to cultivate. France produces the finest flax fibres in the world.
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Flax was also chosen because every part of the plant can be used, from the seeds to the linseed oil. Annette's sustainability efforts include providing a linen drawstring bag to hold and store the sheets. This cuts down on single-use plastic pocket and cardboards.
Heaven Luxe sells wrinkle-free, hypoallergenic Oeko-Tex bedsheets made out of Austrian Tencel. These sheets promise to be smoother than cotton, softer than silk (and even softer after every wash), moisture-wicking and better for sensitive skin. No pesticides and insecticides were used in creating the sheets, either.
Austrian Tencel is made from eucalyptus trees that are grown on sustainably managed and renewable plantations. The eucalyptus wood pulp is then turned into yarn using an Austrian closed loop spinning technology that recycles 99 per cent of the solvent and water used. These trees grow vertically, too, unlike cotton plants, so they require less land and water.
Sojao sells 100 per cent GOTS-certified (Global Organic Textile Standard) organic, long-staple cotton sheets. Organically grown cotton plant not only yields stronger yarn that age well, they are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or insecticides, either.
The yarn is then dyed using environmentally friendly dyes and is not treated with formaldehyde – a common component in anti-wrinkling treatments – or any other toxic finishes. This means your skin will be less irritated and you will find that you are less prone to rashes and even headaches. Not using chlorine bleaches or harsh chemicals during the process also makes the fabric less “stressed” and therefore more durable.
These methods are safer for everyone, too. Farmers and workers won’t breathe in the fumes from pesticides and other chemicals, and their residue won’t seep into our waterways and contaminate the food chain.
Sunday Bedding sells 100 per cent bamboo rayon and cotton sheets, and will soon introduce French linen and 100 per cent organic cotton sheets in 2019. Cotton sateen is a highly versatile and low-maintenance material that is great for those with pets and kids. Dirty and stained sheets require frequent washing, and cotton holds up well to that. Bamboo sateen is incredibly soft and is able to wick away moisture, which is ideal for humid nights and those who sleep without air-conditioning.
Apart from durable and comfortable bedsheets, Sunday Bedding is also looking at ways to reduce packaging and offer more environmentally friendly options. It also works with factories that have been awarded the Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex, which certifies that they use materials without harmfulsubstances.Itssoon-to- be-launched organic cotton fabric has also been GOTS-certified.
