How to Choose White Sheets

Did you know that almost all sheets and pillows are toxic and dangerous?? yup most of them are. So I want to talk to you about bedding. How to choose white sheets, tell you what you need to avoid when buying sheets and pillows. You want to stay healthy right? OK. So you’ve gotta take a few minutes and learn. There’s a lot of secrets that bedding manufacturers don’t want you to know about such as the seriously dangerous poisons used in the making of our bedding, the same bedding you, your babies, your family, mother law sleep ink. I’m not gonna comment on that last one.

So, I want to talk about that and also how the layout of our bedrooms is super important, even if you have a teeny weeny bedroom. So if you weren’t aware, I’m a compassionate interior designer which means I do my best to design natural non-toxic spaces by using ethical materials and vegan furniture that aren’t derived from animals & that contain fewer chemicals than traditional materials. You see I love animals and me kind of like people too. So that’s why I’m a vegan designer. So, now that we covered that, let’s get to bedding.

Our bodies instinctually need healthy, comforting, simple, natural spaces in order for us to be our best and thrive. It goes back to our basic needs when we were living in caves.  A long time ago, like 100 years ago, most of us slept 9 hours a night. Today, the average is about 6 ½ hours & nearly 70 million Americans have a sleep disorder. I know that I am certainly not the best person to be around when I’m tired. Being tired leads to getting sick. Our body regenerates during sleep, think of it like charging a phone when the battery is close to running out – you’re the phone. So lack of charging ourselves can lead to depression, drug use, illness, car crashes and major crankiness.

We have a lot going on in our heads in today’s world and I know it can be tough to” turn it off” at night. Creating a really cozy, comfy, healthy bed is a great way to begin the “shutdown” process. A question that I get asked a lot as a designer is “What kind of bedding should I get?” There are so many options and misleading ads about bedding. A lot of Manufacturers don’t really want to shout out to you that they’re producing products that contain chemicals that can make us sick or make conditions like allergies or asthma worse.

Here are a few ingredients that you probably can’t believe are in your bedding. Boric Acid, an industrial toxic chemical that has been used for over 30 years and linked to an array of health issues and diseases such as fetal malformation, hormone disrupters and cancer.

Formaldehyde – 70% of sheet manufacturers put formaldehyde in their materials. Why? for wrinkles. So don’t buy wrinkle-free, non-iron or permanent press sheets. Azo dyes – Azo is a chemical that has been banned in Europe but still allowed in the US. So make sure to buy eco-friendly bedding that promotes NO Azo on its packaging. If not, it’s most likely still being used. Our body is continually absorbing substances through our skin and lungs, even when sleeping. So the materials we surround ourselves with have a direct impact on our mental and physical health. So, what bedding should you get you to ask?

Let’s talk about pillows. You want pillows that will keep you healthy and breathing easier at night right?  I mean considering that pillows come in direct contact with your face where you can breathe in a lot of bacteria and chemicals. Bamboo pillows are great. They are hypoallergenic and dust mite retardants. Yeah, picture little teeny weeny bugs going for a stroll on your face while sleeping. EW.  Certain materials, mostly animal-based stuffing that’s used in bedding, carry dust mites and are treated with chemicals like lead, mercury or formaldehyde. Bamboo pillows typically are chemical-free and bamboo is a super sustainable material. The tree grows 3’ a day. Wow. Kapok – or rubber. Yes, it is very cool and comfy. Insiders call it “silk cotton.”

It is the lightest natural fiber in the world and grown non-toxins, pesticides or fertilizer. Buckwheat – yup a pillow filled with buckwheat hulls, like tiny little pebbles. It’s still the favorite pillow used in Japan. Do not, I repeat, do not get Down feathers – ugh! Don’t get me started! Surrounding yourself with down can lead to Feather Duvet Lung.. yes it’s an actual inflammatory condition that affects the lungs. Down feathers are also treated with chemicals like formaldehyde. And if you think ducks are the cutest, and if you like human beings please don’t buy down. It’s an extremely unethical industry.

Sheets. your sheets can expose you to chemicals that will affect your health or make you sicker. The best bet is to go 100% organic – Stay away from silk – really, I mean it.. unless your Austin Powers.. silk is filled with chemicals and totally unethical. Silkworms are living beings too.  Plus have you ever slept on silk sheets? They’re so uncomfortable. like sleeping in grease. That’s just my take on it. But hey you do your own thing. But Bamboo silk sheets are incredible. I use them personally and my dog Lucca sleeps like a log. Bamboo sheets don’t hold moisture, they’re hypoallergenic, strong and feel so soft.

Make sure to get Tencel Bamboo or Bamboo Lyocell. They don’t use toxic solvents which are used in Bamboo Viscose(or Rayon). Organic cotton is also super comfy. Hemp – made from cannabis hemp.. yah mon’, they’re typically formaldehyde-free, no chemicals and dye-free. They’re soft too. Most are made with a mix of hemp and cotton. And They soften up a lot with washing.

Mattresses – Go Organic with your mattresses. There are endless options. Long gone are the days where a luxury vegan mattress must contain wool and leather to be considered luxurious. I like to believe we are a more compassionate, educated world. Wool and leather are soaked in toxins. Wool also holds moisture and most of us sweat at night. Pause. I know, I’m sorry. But it had to be said. We all “uh hum – perspire”

So how should your sleeping space be laid and designed. 2 words. No clutter. clutter-free! I’ll repeat that. No clutter. Create a calm, clean space for you to wind down in. Clutter in a room clutters our brains. It’s a fact. Disorganization is space is uncomfortable.. has to do with us living in caves a long time ago. Keep the colors limited too, in my opinion. I give white bedding a plus. It’s relaxing and luxurious. Makes you think of a hotel or spa. And white is so easy to clean, throw it the wash. Getting into a bed in crisp white sheets at night is so amazing. Also, make sure the energy of the space is positive. If the room is naturally dark, try to add something natural, like a plant or soy candles to give it energy.

Make sure you feel good with where your head lies. Most of us psychologically like to be able to see the entrance from our bed. If you have a great view, it would be nice to wake up in the morning and see the view first thing as well. If not, place a piece of art on the wall you see first thing in the am. Wake up with positive energy, ready to take on that day!

So if you want to sleep in a bed that is good for your body and brain, you now know what to look for and what to avoid.  Please Let me know please if this info has been helpful in the comments below.