Organic Cotton SheetsYour best bet for avoiding toxins while you sleep!
Not all "organic" sheets are the same. Unless you're using certified organic cotton sheets, or you know the integrity of the company you're purchasing sheets from, you're sleeping next to and breathing in dangerous pesticides and chemicals all night long. And that is only the beginning.
Then many other harmful chemicals are added as the fabric is produced. These include wrinkle-resistant chemicals (formaldehyde), heavy metal dyes and chemical finishes. Pesticides are used no doubt with good intentions (perhaps) to prevent destruction of the cotton, but there are many harmful residues from these products. Scientists from the EPA report that many chemicals are never tested for their potentially harmful effects, yet they continue to be produced and used by unsuspecting consumers. It is now known, after many years of use, how harmful some of these substances are that we use in our everyday lives. Many of these chemicals cause cancers, leukemia, birth defects, reproductive problems and neurological problems, just to name a few. Many scientists are concerned about the low-level exposures of hundreds of chemicals over time thinking that it may be just as harmful or perhaps even more so than occasional large exposures. If it's a standard cotton sheet, or cotton/polyester blend sheet, it contains not only pesticides, but harmful petroleum products, bleach residues and dyes. Most of these substances are bonded into the fibers themselves, so they do not wash out. Certain chemicals may weaken somewhat over time, but many still remain in the fibers.
Some time ago, I purchased a formaldehyde testing kit to check my own bedding and other fabrics and objects around the house, before I went organic. I was amazed at how high the levels of formaldehyde were on my bedding at that time. I had a cotton/polyester bedroom comforter set that was one of my all-time favorites. It was so beautiful and soft. Yet it had very high formaldehyde levels, even after MANY washings( I later found out many of these chemicals DO NOT wash out). I was equally amazed at the other fabric objects in the room which had measurable levels of formaldehyde as well ( carpets, decorative pillows, clothing, etc.) So I changed my bedding to organic cotton sheets dyed only with eco-friendly dyes, and no finishers. Same for the bedroom comforter set and blankets. While organic cotton sheets may be a bit more wrinkly, if you get them right out of the dryer and onto your bed, they do fine. Or if slightly damp, they can be laid out flat and smoothed. As they finish drying, they will be virtually wrinkle-free. The pillowcases and sheets can be ironed if they seem too wrinkly. And some sheets are just smoother than others, depending upon the quality of the cotton used, and the higher the thread-count.
Not everyone is noticeably bothered by formaldehyde or pesticides. Yet these substances are well known for the harm they cause such as DNA damage to cells, and their ability to cause cancer or neurological breakdown. Often chemicals that are undetectable to us, are the ones that can be the most harmful. Milder symptoms such as headaches, body aches, fatigue, skin rashes or respiratory symptoms may occur. These add to your total load of chemical exposures, and may set you up, along with all the other chemicals you're exposed to, to illness. They can also cause birth defects.
If you're planning a bedroom makeover, consider keeping as many harmful chemicals out as you can. You can start simply by changing just a few things in the room such as your bedroom comforter set or by switching to TRULY organic cotton sheets. These will be easy, yet healthful changes.
Some individuals are highly sensitive to even the smallest amounts of exposures to the many chemicals found in bedding. Therefore, choosing organic bedding is critical to minimize symptoms and prevent illness or disease. If planning a bedroom makeover, then definitely make your bedding and certified organic cotton sheets your top priority since it is closest to your face and skin all through the night. Buyer Beware, that some organic cotton sheets, especially if they are "wrinkle-free" will contain formaldehyde. This is the chemical that has long been used since the 1950's wonderful invention of "wrinkle-free material". While it was a great and helpful invention, it was not well known at the time how harmful formaldehyde is to humans. It was introduced into the textile market and became so commonplace, that even when many years later, it did become known how harmful it is, very few cared, myself included. But as I learned more and more about the daily assaults upon our bodies from chemicals, I wanted to decrease my exposures.
Eco-friendly dyes do not use harmful chemicals, and often are vegetable-based. Just make sure the bedsheets are NOT wrinkle-free and are NOT stain repellent as these contain formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals. Additionally, keep in mind that Egyptian cotton is simply a high quality cotton, with a silk-like texture but often is not organic, unless it meets the same criteria as other truly organic sheets. Genuine silk sheets and "natural cotton" also contain formaldehyde and other finishing chemicals unless certified organic. Satin sheets are usually made of acetate, and/or polyester. These are chemically-made synthetic materials which also outgas formaldehyde, hydrocarbons and other carcinogenic substances. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) which started around 1990, provides reliable, independent certification for whether fabric is organic and has been processed safely, from start to finish without harmful chemicals and finishing processes.
If you find bamboo linen, which has been treated with enzymes to break down the coarse bamboo fibers it may well be organic. However this is a much more labor-intensive method of production and much more costly. This fabric is rarely used, and is not suitable for bedsheets.
Dioxins from bleaching enter our skin and tissues very easily from ANY product or fabrics that have been bleached (with hypochlorite). This includes the many paper products most of use on a daily basis, such as toilet paper, feminine products, paper towels, coffee filters, etc. Peroxide bleaching does not pose this health risk and is much safer, as long you know what the other added chemicals are, if any. So when your bedding contains bleach residues (and there will be even more dioxins present if you use bleach to clean your sheets), you are being exposed to many, very harmful chemicals. There are safer and very effective ways to clean and sanitize your bedsheets and bedding. Remember, our skin is our largest organ. It's absorbing a lot through those bedsheets, especially if you wear little or no clothing at night!
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