Cotton is probably one of the most destructive things to grow and manufacture on this planet. Here’s why and how to choose the best ORGANIC cotton bed sheets!
If you are in a hurry and just want to know what the best organic cotton bed sheets are, I recommend you get the Tissaj 100% Organic Cotton Bed Sheets Set.
Today I review the best organic cotton bed sheets you can buy.
Like most things, when buying bed sheets there are a lot of things to consider.
Besides the colour and size of the sheets, do you want a natural fibre or a manmade fibre?
Natural fibres are cooler and more likely to be moisture-wicking, while manmade fibres are cheaper and the colours tend to be deeper as the dye is easier to set.
However it’s important to note that not all natural fibres are “good”.
Cotton is probably one of the most destructive things to grow and manufacture on this planet, compared to bamboo that is far more sustainable and eco-friendly.
But cotton sheets will last longer than bamboo sheets, in fact, cotton sheets can last for decades, just ask your grandmother how old some of her sheets are.
My recommendation is that if you have to buy cotton, try to at least buy cotton with an organic label on it, either from GOTS or OEKO TEX.
I have some details further down on this page on what those certifications mean, and for more information on why non-organic cotton is so toxic, see the video further down.
Also, if you are struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep, check out my guide on how to get a good night’s sleep, and if you are in the market for a new mattress, I have plenty of tips to get you started.
Today I will be reviewing the following Organic Cotton Sheets
- Editor’s Choice – Tissaj 100% Organic Cotton Bed Sheets Set
- California Design Den 100% Cotton Sheet Set
- Sleep Mantra Bed-Sheet Set
- BIOWEAVES 100% Organic Cotton Bed Sheet Set
- Pinzon Organic Cotton Bed Sheet Set
- Pure 100% Organic Bamboo Bed Sheet Set
Thread Count Explained
Thread count is the number of lengthwise (warp) and widthwise (weft) threads that are weaved together per square inch. So a 300 thread count bed sheet has 150 threads going vertically and 150 threads going horizontally.
However, sometimes these warp and weft threads themselves are in fact multiple threads twisted together to create a single thread.
Hence the term single ply versus double-ply.
Manufacturers like to also count those multiple threads, inflating the number of threads per square inch without really increasing the quality.
You also need to consider the quality of the thread itself. Long-staple threads are more stable and are softer than shorter fibres, and therefore less likely to pill.
The Differences Between Egyptian Cotton, Sateen and Percale
Egyptian Cotton simply means cotton grown in Egypt.
Percale Weave is a simple basket weave of one weft thread over one warp thread, repeated in a one-over-one pattern. This makes for a very strong fabric and also creates a fabric that feels cool and crisp.
Sateen Weave is when several warp threads go over one weft thread at a time, making one side of the smooth, soft and shiny, while the other side, the “wrong” side appear and feel rougher. While the soft sateen side of the fabric might feel beautiful against your skin, it is not as strong as a percale weave and is more prone to snags or pulls.
What are the best cotton sheets?
Organic is definitely the best cotton sheets to buy.
Growing cotton and making cotton fabric are incredibly damaging to the environment and use an enormous amount of water.
Sticking with organic means you get the best for the environment and for your skin.
But there isn’t really a noticeable difference between cotton grown in India, China or Egypt.
A lot is made of Egyptian cotton bed sheets but in my opinion it’s no better or more luxurious than any other type of cotton.
Most cotton is made from the same American cotton plant anyway.
Are organic cotton sheets better?
Yes, you can read more about organic cotton itself on the Organic Consumer website here.
What is the difference between cotton and organic cotton?
Normal cotton is grown using a lot of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers.
It’s bad for the environment, the soil, the farmers, and your skin.
Organic cotton is grown without any chemicals.
But, do not just trust a company who claims to be organic, look out for their GOTS certification, or another similar certificate.
See further down for a more detail on what it takes to be 100% organic cotton certified.
Is Cotton toxic?
What is 100% organic cotton?
A company may only claim to sell 100% organic cotton products if they have at least one of the below certifications.
GOTS Certified (Global Organic Textile Standard)
An organic certification from GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) means that the cotton itself was produced without the use of any harmful chemicals like pesticides, throughout the entire supply chain, from farming through to the dyes used in the final bedding. It prohibits the use of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers, reducing the impact on the soil and regulates how wastewater from processing is handled.
The cotton is grown using non-GMO seeds.
The company is Socially Responsible, which means the cotton was processed and manufactured in facilities that meet the standards set out by the International Labour Organization.
To carry the GOTS label of “organic” a company must prove that the fabric/textile they’ve produced has at least 95% certified organic fibres.
To claim it’s “made with organic” on the label, it must contain a minimum of 70% certified organic fibres.
You can read more about GOTS here.
OEKO TEX Standard 100
OEKO TEX Standard 100 certificate means the textile/fabric/bedding itself was created without the use of harmful chemicals, and that every component of the final product was also tested, like buttons for example.
Why is organic cotton more expensive?
The use of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fertilizers all increase a farmer’s crop yield.
Meaning he can grow more cotton per square mile, grow it faster, and less of it will suffer from disease or pestilence, so he gets more cotton out of each field than an organic cotton farmer might.
Editor’s Choice for best organic cotton sheets
Tissaj 100% Organic Cotton Bed Sheets Set
- Editor’s Choice
- Best organic cotton sheets for: the 500 thread count.
- 100% Organic Cotton Bed Sheets Set
- 500 thread count
- Queen size
- 5 colours – Ultra White, Natural, Smoke Gray, Navy Blue and Ice Blue
- Sateen weave
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified
- OEKO TEX Standard 100 certified
- Bedtime Specialist Score: 4
- 86% of people who bought this mattress rated it positive.
The Tissaj range of Organic Cotton Bed Sheets come in 6 sizes – Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King and California King and 5 colours – Ultra White, Natural, Smoke Gray, Navy Blue and Ice Blue.
Made from extra long staple organic cotton fibres with a sheen/sateen finish, the sheets will fit a 15″ deep mattress, and are sold with 2 standard size pillows.
The Tissaj range of bed sheets are 100% organic, and have both a GOTS and OEKO TEX Standard 100 certificate, see my explanation for these further down the page.
Tissaj organic bed sheets also come in eco-friendly packaging that can be recycled, and has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so will refund any customer that is not happy with the product.
Because it’s a 500 thread count bed sheet set, it’s a tad more expensive than other sets.
California Design Den 100% Cotton Sheet Set
- Best organic cotton sheets for: most popular on Amazon.
- 100% Organic Cotton Bed Sheets Set
- Queen size
- 400 thread count
- Sateen weave
- 27 colours
- STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX certification
- 30 day 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Bedtime Specialist Score: 5
- These cotton sheets have been bought and rated an incredible 11,000 times on Amazon
- 89% of people who bought this mattress rated it positive
These organic cotton sheets from California Design Den come in an incredible 27 colour ranges and 7 different sizes. Made with a satin weave and a 400 thread count, they are luxurious and soft.
These come with a STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX certification, meaning all components were tested for harmful chemicals. However unlike most competitors it does not have a GOTS certificate so there is no guarantee the cotton was farmed free of pesticides or chemicals, just that the fabric used to create the sheets are.
This means they are not allowed to put 100% organic cotton on the label, but even so, you can sleep easy as the OEKO-TEX certification is pretty stringent, so no harmful chemicals will make it into your bed or your skin.
These cotton sheets have been bought and rated an incredible 11,000 times on Amazon, and of those ratings, 89% of people who bought this mattress rated it positive.
This, plus the 30 day 100% satisfaction guarantee, means these sheets make a great gift or purchase for yourself or the spare bedroom.
Sleep Mantra Bed-Sheet Set
- Best organic cotton sheets for: their vintage wash, making them pre-washed and ready-to-use.
- 100% Organic Cotton Bed Sheets Set
- Queen size
- 5 different colours
- 300 thread count
- Percale weave
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified
- 81% of people who bought this mattress rated it positive
- Bedtime Specialist Score: 4
Sleep Mantra is another company that provides 100% organic cotton sheets. With it’s 100% GOTS certification you can sleep easy knowing the entire supply chain, from farmer to manufacturer, were without harmful chemicals that can impact the environment on your skin.
The organic cotton sheets are made with a classic percale weave fabric, which makes it crisp and cool to the touch, and stronger than other companies using a satin weave.
Thanks to the vintage wash they put their sheets through, they will be softer than brand new percale sheets, and are sold as pre-washed and ready-to-use.
You can buy these without worrying about having to return it if you are unhappy, as these sheets come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
81% of people who bought this mattress rated it positive.
BIOWEAVES 100% Organic Cotton Bed Sheet Set
- Best organic cotton sheets for: thicker/deeper mattresses.
- 100% Organic Cotton Bed Sheets Set
- Long staple cotton yarn in a single ply
- Queen size
- 300 thread count
- Sateen weave
- 6 colours
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified
- 89% of people who bought this mattress rated it positive.
- Bedtime Specialist Score: 4
Available in 7 different sizes and 6 different colours, the BIOWEAVES range of 100% organic cotton sheets come with a GOTS certification and is weaved using a fine yarn in single ply with satin weave pattern.
This creates a soft and silky sheet that’s lovely to sleep on.
It has a 300 thread count and will fit mattresses that are 17″ deep, so perfect for someone with a thicker mattress.
The company also gives a satisfaction guarantee, so if you are not happy, you can return it.
89% of people who bought this mattress rated it positive.
Pinzon Organic Cotton Bed Sheet Set
- Best organic cotton sheets for: their percale weave, making them crisp and cool.
- Queen size
- 6 colours and 6 sizes
- 100% Organic Cotton Bed Sheets Set
- 300 thread count
- Percale weave
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified
- 86% of people who bought this mattress rated it positive
- Bedtime Specialist Score: 3
The Pinzon 300 thread count organic bed sheet set is GOTS certified, and weaved with a percale weave, making them crisp and cool.
They say in their product description that the sheets have been brushed to a peach-like finish for a softer feel, but I’m not convinced. Perhaps it’s too subtle for my hands to feel.
It comes in 6 beautiful colours, and fits the usual 6 bed sizes. The Blush is beautiful, but if I have to be honest, the Dove Grey is more likely to go with the rest of my bedding for mixing and matching.
86% of people who bought this mattress rated it positive.
Pure 100% Organic Bamboo Bed Sheet Set
- Best organic sheets for those who don’t like cotton or want something softer and silkier.
- 100% Organic Bamboo Bed Sheets Set
- Queen size
- 300 thread count
- Sateen weave
- STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX certification
- 84% of people who bought this mattress rated it positive
- Bedtime Specialist Score: 5
While not technically cotton, I felt this review would not be complete without also giving you this option.
These are 100% organic BAMBOO sheets, so made from a viscose fabric that has a STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX certification, so made without harmful chemicals.
Bamboo is far more sustainable and eco-friendly than cotton, so I felt it only fair to mention at least one option here.
Viscose (the end fabric made from bamboo) is lovely and soft and silky and smooth, probably my favourite fabric to wear, especially in summer.
These sheets are made with a 300 thread count satin weave, which adds to that luxurious feeling.
My only “con” would be that viscose is far more delicate than cotton, so take care washing it and how you use it.
84% of people who bought this mattress rated it positive.
Editor’s Choice
Our choice is the Tissaj 100% Organic Cotton Bed Sheets Set.
It’s slightly on the more expensive side compared to the other products reviewed, but for your extra dollars you get a 100% organic cotton bed sheet set with a flat and fitted sheet, and 2 pillow cases.
Made with a soft and silky sateen weave and 500 thread count, these sheets feel wonderful against your skin.
Plus, it comes with 2 certificates, one from GOTS and another from OEKO TEX so you never have to worry where your cotton or your bedding came from, or what chemicals it might have that could be harmful for your skin.
They have 5 beautiful colours to choose from and will make a perfect gift for someone dear to you.
But if you really wanted to go all out on a gift for someone, maybe silk sheets are the way to go.