Get Organic in the Bedroom

Everyday we’re exposed to a cocktail of toxins from the air we breathe, the food we eat and in the personal care products and cosmetics we use. With our busy and demanding lifestyles our rest and recuperation time would ideally be spent in the most favourable surroundings to have the maximum effect on our mind, body & soul. Switching to certified organic linen could see you waking feeling refreshed and with more energy to take on your day.

Did you know it takes half a kilo of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers to make one cotton sheet? I nearly fell over the first time I heard that figure. This was at a time when you couldn’t just stop by your local shops and easily find organic products. Thank goodness all that’s changed.

Certified organic cotton is a superb option for linen as it’s incredibly comfortable against your skin, it’s high quality and durable with the actual fibres being about 5% thicker than traditionally grown cotton. As organic cotton has increased in popularity in the last few years, the prices have fallen into line with the average price of good quality linen, so it represents great value for money.

Certified, and I’d urge you to check for certification of the brand you purchase, organic cotton actually gets stronger and softer with time so with proper care your sheets will be more durable and actually last longer than non-organic cotton sheets. Thread count is another factor that’s important to many of us when purchasing our linen. Jenny Ower from Ecolinen says “What’s more important though than the thread count is the quality of the thread being used and the machinery its been made on and the processes to finish it.” Ecolinen are the first Australian owned company to have all steps from ‘seed to sheet’ certified organic.

Much of the certified organic cotton available in Australia is grown in India. The Indian climate is more suited to cotton growing than Australia’s. This also gives Australian companies the opportunity to invest in the future of a third world country in an ethical manner. There are standards in place through Fairtrade and other organisations to ensure workers aren’t exploited and communities can prosper through commercial means rather than being dependant on charity.

Certified organic cotton is currently being used to produce sheets, towels, baby wraps, underwear and clothing. One interesting little fact I’ve noticed; my organic cotton towels dry my skin noticeably faster than non-organic cotton.

There are many companies you can find online selling organic cotton products but as I mentioned earlier, just check that they’re currently certified (a process that happens each year) and are displaying their credentials proudly. If this is unclear on their website, send them a quick email asking to see their current certification – they go to so much trouble to get this prized stamp of approval that they’ll be more than happy to provide you the details.

If you suffer headaches, allergies, eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis then you’ll help relieve symptoms by sleeping on sheets that have not been chemically treated. Give yourself the best chance to rest and recuperate at night or just enjoy the softness and durability of certified organic cotton.

This article by Lesley-Ann Trow will feature in the new edition of Eco Living Magazine