I slept on dozens of nontoxic and organic cotton sheets — these are my favorites from ethical brands for your health, comfort, ease of care, and long-lasting durability.
We spend roughly one-third of our lives sleeping, and for good reason — sleep is the bedrock of our health and how we restore our body, mind, and nervous system after a full day. It’s important to consider the fabric our bedding is made of to ensure comfort, safety, and longevity, which is why organic cotton is such a lovely option. Organic cotton is not only soft, breathable, and lightweight, but it also contributes to a healthy, safe sleep environment because it’s grown without harmful chemicals.
Why choose organic sheets?
During the many hours we’re asleep, we’re not only soaking up restorative rest. Our bodies interact with materials and fibers that have a history — and conventionally grown cotton is often sprayed with toxic pesticides that cause harmful runoff into the earth, are dangerous to the surrounding ecosystems, and can later leach into our skin. Not exactly the kind of fabric I’d like to get in bed with. 😉
Not only does conventionally grown cotton contribute to environmental damage, but the chemicals used in the process can cause health problems after long-term exposure (like 8+ hours per day!) and daily discomfort (think irritation for those with sensitive skin). Choosing organic cotton sheets is a simple way to forgo all of these unwanted details.
What should you look for when shopping?
We look for the following certifications when shopping for organic cotton sheets..
- GOTS Certified: The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the gold standard for organic cotton and other textile components. Textile products must be made from 95% certified organic raw materials to become GOTS Certified. GOTS also requires stringent worker protections that ban exposure to toxic chemicals and child or forced labor. GOTS’ rigorous certification process requires their environmental and social criteria are met throughout the entire textile supply chain.
- MADE SAFE: MADE SAFE is a nontoxic certification for everyday products, including bedding. This certification is extremely stringent, and every product is heavily screened to validate that over 6,500 substances on the banned and restricted list have been avoided or constrained.
- GREENGUARD Certified: A GREENGUARD Certification means that your bedding meets some of the world’s most comprehensive standards for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into indoor air.
- OEKO-TEX Certified: OEKO-TEX is a consistent, independent testing and certification system that ensures every component in a bedding product is free from harmful substances (from raw materials to the final product).
- Fair Trade Certification: One of the most meticulous social standards, the Fair Trade certification means that the bedding materials are sourced ethically and workers are paid fair wages.
- B Corporation: B Corporations meet the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. To become a B Corp, organizations must be verified through B Lab, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring a fair and sustainable global economy.
- Climate Neutral Certified: Climate Neutral Certified brands measure and offset their entire carbon footprint and implement plans to reduce future emissions. While some companies claim to be carbon-negative by removing more carbon than they emit, it’s important to note that it is not an official certification.
- 1% for the Planet: Brands that are members of 1% for the Planet donate 1% of annual sales to environmental causes, which is a bonus when we’re looking for sustainable bedding options.
- PETA-Approved Vegan: The PETA-Approved Vegan certification assures shoppers that no animal products were used in the manufacturing process (such as wool). Many organizations offer other vegan certifications, too, like the Vegan Action certification. It’s best to review that the entire product is vegan and not just a handful of the components.
Our criteria:
After personally testing, researching, corresponding with brands, and combing through customer reviews, we’ve selected the best natural and organic sheets from sustainable bedding brands that prioritize healthy, comfortable sleep. For this guide, I tested 11 sets of organic cotton sheets and spent the night with each one, evaluating the feel before and after washing each set, and recording any noteworthy details.
We update this list regularly with our emerging favorites that meet the following criteria:
- ORGANIC & NONTOXIC | Each brand’s sheets are made with organic cotton and never treated with any harsh chemicals. The brands on this list have third-party certifications so you can rest easy knowing they’re safe.
- ETHICAL, ECO-FRIENDLY, & SUSTAINABLE | The brands on this list are thoughtful about how they treat their employees, the earth, and their customers. We’ve chosen companies committed to sustainable, safe processes for products and people.
- COMFORTABLE | I slept on each set and made notes regarding the softness, weight, durability, and feel before and after washing each set. I also added notes based on past experience with brands where relevant, too. If you have questions about anything, let us know in the comments and we’ll reply!
If you’re looking to complete your bedding set, you might want to start from square one with our favorite organic mattress protectors. And for layering on top of your sheets, take a look at our picks for organic comforters, too!
Best Overall | Most Affordable
1. Coyuchi
Best For | Luxurious, heirloom quality sets
Price for Queen Set | $198
Coyuchi creates consciously luxurious textiles meant to stand the test of time and honor the earth and people in the process. The quality is impeccable and noticeable upon first feel. I found their organic cotton sheets to be lightweight, crisp, and cool. I actually invested in a set of flannel sheets from Coyuchi six years ago, and I still remark on how durable they are! Everything they make is fair trade, MADE SAFE, and the product of regenerative agricultural practices, ensuring the safety of the planet and everyone involved in their supply chain. Coyuchi also offers a circular take-back program where they repurpose pre-loved items to prolong their lifespan for as long as possible. If you change your mind, you can return your items within 30 days at no cost, and return for store credit within 180 days even if the item has been washed or worn. 1% of every order is donated to a nonprofit of your choice, and each set comes with a drawstring bag for easy storage.
2. Quince
Best For | Affordable & customizable
Price for Queen Set | $69 – $99
Quince is committed to offering quality goods at an affordable price. As expected, their organic cotton sheets are no exception. Made from 100% certified organic cotton, I was impressed by how soft this set felt straight out of the box — and they became even more so after washing. All of their bedding is created using windmill-powered green energy and without harsh chemicals or toxins, making their wide range of offerings the perfect one-stop shop for all of your organic bedding needs. When selecting your set, you can choose a 3-piece (without a top sheet) or a 4-piece (with a top sheet), further adding to a convenient online shopping experience. Quince also provides a transparent price breakdown for every product, and their sheets arrive in a drawstring bag, too. I love this option for cutting costs without compromising ethics or quality.
3. Avocado
Best For | Luxe, superfine sheets
Price for Queen Set | $179
Made from 100% OEKO-TEX certified organic cotton that is ethically grown in India, Avocado’s sheet set includes one fitted sheet, one top sheet, and two pillowcases. This set is buttery soft and silky while also lightweight and airy. I’ve personally been a longtime fan of the brand for its sustainability practice — and the TGT recently visited Avocado’s facilities to speak with the team about its rigorous certification processes and zero-waste practices. The entire company is climate-negative and their sheets are created using practices that reduce water and electricity consumption and textile waste. Each set comes with a drawstring bag for easy storage, laundering, and is also available in a deep pocket version. You can try their bedding out for 100 days or your money back. I’ve even reviewed Avo’s full bedding collection from waterproof protectors to pillows to throws, so check out my full review of their nontoxic bedding here.
4. Pact
Best For | Hotel-quality sheets
Price for Queen Set | $130
Pact has sold quality, organic goods directly to consumers (and more recently at Whole Foods) for over a decade. This has allowed them to develop long-standing relationships with organic cotton co-ops and contributes to their ability to offer 100% organic cotton, fair trade goods at accessible prices. Their soft, simple, hotel-quality sheets are made responsibly and include one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillowcases. Their commitment to remaining environmentally friendly and therefore low waste can result in fewer colors and limited selection at times, which is something to keep in mind. So if you have your eye on a specific set–snag it! The set also comes with a drawstring bag for easy laundering and storage.
5. Nest
Best For | Silky set for hot sleepers
Price for Queen Set | $129
Nest’s 100% fair trade certified organic cotton sheets are lightweight and silky smooth — you could have told me these were actually silk and I wouldn’t have questioned it! Sets come in five bright yet neutral shades including Moss (vibrant green) and Terracotta (pictured below). Queen sets include one fitted sheet, one top sheet, and four pillowcases, which I found incredibly convenient as someone who has and loves extra pillows on her bed. This set is great for those who sleep hot — and you can try them out for a 30-night sleep trial to be sure they suit your mattress and your comfort levels. It’s worth noting the affordability of this particular set, considering it comes with an extra set of pillowcases, which run $24 per pair on their own. Don’t forget to utilize the button-close bag for easy storage!
6. Sijo
Best For | Affordable, temperature regulating sheets
Price for Queen Set | $100–$165
Sijo is one of the most affordable options on the list, especially if you prefer a topsheet-less set. After snuggling up with Sijo for the night, I can vouch for their softness and noticeable quality. I don’t often categorize sheets that are crisp and cool as cozy, but these really are all of the above, and I found myself liking them more and more as time went on. Customizing your set is simple: Just select your size, whether or not you’d like a top sheet, and get 15% off your first purchase. At checkout, 1% of each purchase is donated to a cause of your choice. Sijo also offers a refresh program, where you can shop pre-loved items if you prefer to choose a set that is already in circulation, and send in your future pre-loved items for a discount on your next order. You can read more about Sijo in our editor’s full review here.
7. Boll & Branch
Best For | Luxury flannel and Supima cotton options
Price for Queen Set | $299
Boll & Branch blends ethics, health, and luxury like no other. Our family loves a good flannel set, so I couldn’t resist trying Boll & Branch’s 100% organic cotton flannel. Ours arrived beautifully packaged in ribbon and paper so pretty I’ll be saving it for gift wrap. For this one, I tried a beautiful seasonal design (since flannel is the most seasonal of all materials!). The brand’s sheets are made by artisans in Portugal — and even go through a process of shearing and brushing that prevents pilling so you can be sure they’ll wear like a dream. The medium-weight feel of the sheets is noticeably high quality, and reminded me of a thin, plush throw blanket. This is the set my husband keeps asking me to put back on the bed — and I’ll happily oblige! These sheets are a steeper cost than other options on the list, but Boll & Branch offers free shipping, free returns, and a 30-night risk-free trial to ensure you’re happy with the investment.
8. The Citizenry
Best For | Artisan home goods
Price for Queen Set | $179
The Citizenry’s bedding is fair trade certified by the World Fair Trade Organization, and ethically made in partnership with family-run mills around the world that pay a living wage. When you shop The Citizenry, not only are you investing in high quality bedding, you’re supporting fair labor practices and ethical production. Their Organic Cotton Stonewashed Percale Queen Sheet set is loomed in India, includes both fitted and top sheets, and two pillowcases. Everything from the brand is detail-oriented and well done, from production to the finished product. This set has more of a light-to-medium weight feel (which is my personal preference), and I love the soft, delicate detailing on the top sheet. The details on The Citizenry’s sheets put them in the running for the most charming on this list — plus, free shipping and 30-day returns makes ordering simple and easy.
9. West Elm
Best For | A variety of options and designs
Price for Queen Set | $139
West Elm is a longtime favorite for offering a variety of quality organic and fair trade home goods all in one place. Their Organic Washed Cotton Percale Sheet set includes fitted and flat sheets, plus two pillowcases, and comes in various beautiful, light earth tones. These also have more of a light-medium weight feel, similar to the Citizenry’s, and lean more cozy than cool. I had time for a repeat sleep for a select few sets, and one of the sets I reached for was West Elm’s due to the cooler temps at the time of this review. These sheets are garment washed before shipping so they’re luxoriously soft from the start, and they’re also contact grade so you know that they’ll last for years to come. West Elm’s site makes it easy to pair them with comforters and throws of various colors and styles if you prefer pairing these sheets with something bolder. Shipping is free, returns are easy, and so is browsing for anything else you might need for your home. Plus, you can always make a return on standard items up to 30 days after delivery.
10. Under The Canopy
Best For | Accessible prices & dreamy colors
Price for Queen Set | $118
Under The Canopy offers organic bedding at an accessible price, and their Organic Percale Sheet sets come in a variety of dreamy, rich neutral colors including Deep Sea, Ochre, and Clay. These sheets felt particularly cool and crisp, while also maintaining a more sturdy and structured feel. (Imagine sleeping in your favorite dress shirt!) UtC boasts an impressive list of certifications for an affordable pricetag, like Okeo-Tex and GOTS. I love this option for the warmer weather, and the colors and details make it delightful as a guest bedroom option too. A Queen set includes one fitted sheet, one top sheet, two pillowcases, and comes with a 100% organic cotton drawstring bag for easy storage and laundering. Free carbon-neutral shipping on orders $125+, and easy returns for an $8 shipping fee.
11. Homebird
Best For | A variety of colors
Price for Queen Set | $148
I’m typically a top-sheet kind of girl, but Homebird made me a convert! Their fitted sheet set includes one fitted sheet and two pillowcases. If you do prefer a flat sheet, note that it’s sold separately for $115, which some customers like in order to mix and match colors. As for me, I didn’t miss the top sheet! This set is crisp feeling, even after washing. It’s a great year-round option for those who sleep hot, or to swap out when springtime hits. Homebird’s organic cotton is grown ethically in India, and they’re incredibly transparent with their traceable supply chain. These sets also come with a drawstring bag for easy laundering and storage, which has now become a non-negotiable for me, personally. Free shipping to the US and Canada, and free returns within 45 days make this an easy choice.
