Nontoxic Bedding 101 🛏️
Sleep Clean = Sleep Deep
Our beds are where our bodies heal, restore, and detox each night. But here’s what most people don’t realize: if your bedding is made with synthetic materials and chemical finishes, your body is working harder to detox instead of getting the deep, restorative rest it needs.
The most impactful swaps we make are the ones for things we use or are exposed to most often. Considering we spend about ⅓ of our lives in bed, this is really important!
No matter where you’re at right now, I know that making healthier swaps can feel overwhelming and sometimes expensive. My goal with this guide is to give you the knowledge and tools to make simple, cleaner choices and to understand why certain materials are so much better for you and your sleep!
What to Avoid in Conventional Bedding
Let’s start with what not to bring into your bedroom. A lot of traditional bedding is made with:
Polyester & synthetic blends — these are basically plastic and can trap heat and off-gas chemicals
Flame retardants & formaldehyde — often added to sheets, pillows, and mattresses to meet regulations
Pesticide-laden cotton — conventional cotton is one of the most sprayed crops
Chemical dyes & wrinkle-free finishes — if it says “no iron” or “easy care,” run
Even waterproof mattress pads can be sneaky. Many use vinyl or PVC, which can release harmful phthalates, especially when warmed by body heat.
Quick tip: If it smells strong right out of the package, that “new bedding smell” is likely VOCs (volatile organic compounds) off-gassing
What to Look for Instead
When shopping for bedding, look for these safer options:
GOTS-certified organic cotton
OEKO-TEX Certified (means certain toxic chemicals aren’t present. If you don’t buy organic, look for this)
Linen (highest vibrational frequency)
Wool (great for regulating temperature and naturally resistant to dust mites)
Natural latex in toppers or pillows
Undyed or naturally dyed materials
TPU waterproofing (a safer alternative to vinyl when needed) for things like mattress protectors
These materials breathe better, feel better, and are free of the toxins your body doesn’t need while it’s trying to rest. Here’s a little visual, then let’s get into each layer!
Layer-by-Layer: Building Better Bedding
You don’t have to do it all at once! I know it can get very expensive. I’d first swap sheets and pillows. Then prioritize the rest in a way that works for you!
1. Mattress
If your mattress is off-gassing or made with polyurethane foam, it can be a huge source of toxins. This is the case for almost all conventional mattresses.
Look for options made from 100% organic latex, wool, or cotton with certifications like GOTS or GOLS.
Some nontoxic brands I’d recommend:
Birch Living — We have the luxe natural mattress (discount with link)
Savvyrest (TOOURROOTS for 20% off)
If a new mattress isn’t in the cards yet, don’t stress about it. Focus on some of the lower ticket swaps first and replace when you can.
2. Mattress Protector
Especially helpful if your mattress isn’t totally clean yet, since it acts as a barrier. Conventional protectors are made entirely from synthetics and treated with chemicals. This is the one we have made from organic cotton & TPU. (TOOURROOTS for 20% off)
Look for:
GOTS organic cotton, GOLS latex, or wool
Waterproofing with TPU, not vinyl
No added chemical treatments
3. Sheets
This is where I’d start if you’re on a budget, because it touches your skin every night!
Best choices:
Organic cotton — crisp, breathable, & most affordable
Linen — temperature regulating and long-lasting (highest vibrational frequency)
Grounding Sheets — I also like to use a grounding fitted sheet for added benefits
There are so many great brands out there, but here are a few of my favorites:
Target — I just bought this striped organic cotton set on sale. They have great, affordable options
Boll & Branch — I also just got this set for our bed (TOOURROOTS for 20% off)
Quince has so many cute striped, gingham, or plain sets
Grooni — for the grounding fitted sheet (SYDNEYJAGER for 10% off)
Pact (TOURROOTS 15% off first time)
4. Pillows
This one shocked me at first because a lot of pillows are made with polyurethane foam or polyester fill, which is just plastic and off-gases right under your nose.
Better options for interior filling:
Organic latex (GOLS)
Kapok
Wool (great for hot sleepers)
For the shell, look for organic cotton or natural fibers. Pair with an organic cotton pillowcase protector! Here are some brand recs:
Holy Lamb — We recently got these! (TOOURROOTS5 for $$ off)
Birch — (Link applies discount)
Savvy Rest — (TOOURROOTS for 20% off)
5. Comforters & Blankets
Similar to pillows, the fill in duvets is often synthetic. Instead, look for:
Organic wool
Organic cotton
RDS certified ethical down
For the shell, look for organic cotton or natural fibers.
For duvet covers and blankets, look for natural fibers: cotton, linen, and wool. Organic is best! I just got a linen duvet set from Facebook Marketplace!
Bonus: these materials are much more breathable and help regulate temperature better than polyfill.
Boll & Branch — Organic cotton and certified down (TOOURROOTS for 20% off)
Savvy Rest — Organic wool fill (TOOURROOTS for 20% off)
Birch — Organic cotton, down, & wool (Link applies discount)
6. Bed Frames
Many conventional bed frames are made with:
Particleboard, MDF, or plywood glued with formaldehyde-based adhesives
Chemical finishes (lacquers, stains, paints) that release VOCs
Metal parts that can act as EMF conductors and may disrupt sleep for sensitive individuals
Better options:
Solid hardwood (maple, oak, birch, beech, etc.)
Natural or low-VOC finishes (linseed oil, beeswax, plant-based oils)
No MDF, particleboard, or plywood unless formaldehyde-free and certified low-VOC (aka engineered wood)
Avoid metal frames
Look for FSC, GREENGUARD Gold, or OEKO-TEX certifications
This can also get very expensive, so if you're on a budget, I would recommend looking on Facebook Marketplace for second-hand, fully wooden bedframes. If you are buying conventional, I would stick to wooden frames over metal or fabric in general, but make sure it's solid hardwood, not engineered wood.
Awara — I was just gifted this bamboo bedframe, which is a pretty good/more affordable option! It’s made from solid bamboo, but doesn’t disclose the finishes is its only downside.
Avocado — A similar frame from solid wood using clean finishes
Quince — I’m obsessed with these 100% linen bedframes. They just don’t disclose the finishes, but everything else looks good
Medley — Known for using the best materials, they have lots of great options
Vermont Woods Studios — Solid wood & clean finishes
What We Use in Our Home
Here’s what we’re using:
Mattress: Birch Luxe Natural Mattress (Link applies discount)
Mattress protector: Waterproof organic cotton with TPU layer from Savvy Rest (TOOURROOTS for 20% off)
Sheets: I switch these often, but recently this set from Boll & Branch (TOOURROOTS for 20% off) and this set from Target
Grouding Sheets: We just use the fitted sheet from Grooni (SYDNEYJAGER for 10% off)
Pillows: Organic wool from HolyLamb Organics, but I want to try a natural latex version next! (TOOURROOTS5 for $$ off)
Duvet Cover: Just thrifted a linen set & rewashed a few times! Linen carries the highest vibrational frequency and is therefore the best material to sleep on, but it can get pretty expensive.
Duvet Insert: We’ve had a 100% cotton shell filled with down (no synthetics, just not organic), so I haven’t swapped it out yet. I’d like to get this one from Birch next! (Link applies discount)
Bed Frame: This solid bamboo bedframe. It’s not perfect since it doesn’t disclose the finishes, but it’s better than most!
I’ve always had very sensitive skin and noticed the biggest difference when we swapped our polyester sheets for cotton a few years ago! They are just so much more breathable, and whenever I’m traveling and have to sleep on polyester sheets, I don’t sleep as well.
How to Transition on a Budget
You don’t have to overhaul your bed overnight. Here’s what I’d prioritize:
Start with what touches your skin: Sheets and pillowcases first
Next, swap your pillow, especially if it's synthetic foam
Add a mattress topper or protector to reduce off-gassing
Wait for sales from natural bedding brands (they often do 15–25% off)
Shop secondhand I just found a linen duvet set on Facebook Marketplace! Wooden bedframes are also great secondhand.
Final Thoughts
Your bed should be a sanctuary. A place where your body feels safe enough to rest, heal, and reset. Switching to nontoxic bedding is one of the most powerful and impactful places to start, and every layer you clean up helps lighten your body’s toxin load.
Don’t feel like you need to do it all at once. Just one small change, like swapping your pillowcase or sheets, is a win!
Our bodies do so much for us. Give it the clean rest it deserves. 🤍