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Bedroom : Bed : Sheet Care
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 Care of your sheets is just as important as the composition of the sheets themselves. In fact, if you're not quite ready to make the leap to organic sheets, switching to a healthy laundry detergent is the next best green improvement you can make. Why? Because perfumes, chemicals, and other synthetics found in conventional detergents can act as neurotoxins, initiating chemical sensitivities, compromising immune systems, and exacerbating allergies. All that, and we haven't even mentioned the polluting effect detergents have on our waterways!
Oddly, perfumes are not regulated by any governmental agency. Pesticides, however, are regulated, and many chemical components in perfumes have been outlawed for use as pesticides. For safety's sake, avoid perfumed products altogether. If you'd like to enjoy a little scent, put a lavender sachet in the dryer with your sheets.
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Read the label
 Choose a biodegradable or biocompatible laundry soap. The difference? Biodegradable indicates that the ingredients will break down into inert substances in our environment, either immediately or over a long period of time.
Biocompatible, on the other hand, means that the ingredients will break down into nutrients that are actually beneficial for the environment. Biocompatible laundry detergents are ideal for septic and greywater systems.
Avoid any detergents formulated from petrochemicals that may contain bleaches and synthetic whiteners. None of these packages will say biodegradable. Toxicology reports have identified that
chlorine
is toxic as a skin irritant and by inhalation.
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We recommendUsing non-toxic, biodegradable laundry soap without perfumes, additives, bleach or phosphates. Browse our selection of laundry detergents and non-chlorine bleaches.
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Make your own
Detergents were designed to clean synthetic fibers. Natural fibers can be cleaned quite well with natural substances. It's so simple to make your own!
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Laundry Recipe
Use 1 cup of plain baking soda, borax, or natural soap flakes. Or, grate pure bar soap , add water, and liquefy in a blender. Store in a tight glass container. Add a drop or two of vinegar in the laundry water to prevent colors from fading.
To brighten your whites, add 8 oz of food grade hydrogen peroxide (diluted 10:1) or add an additional cup of borax to your wash cycle. For other household cleaning recipes visit our information center.
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Did you know?
Drying in a conventional dryer uses more energy than washing in hot water. For energy efficient drying, hang newly-washed sheets on a clothesline in your backyard. After all, nothing compares to the scent of clean, sun-baked sheets on your bed!
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Organic vs. Green
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When it comes to sheets, "organic" is purer than "green."
"Green" refers to conventionally-grown cotton, with no additional chemicals used in the processing or in the final treatment. So, while still grown using pesticides, you can be sure your cotton sheets aren't treated with formaldehyde bleach, or any other synthetics.
"Organic" refers to cotton produced without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or defoliants, and untreated with toxic and chemical surface finishes, bleaches, or dyes.
We recommend sheets and comforters made from 100 percent chemically untreated cotton fiber. Nothing could be safer, softer, or more comfortable.
Browse the sheet aisle of the Green Home department store where you'll find a variety of solutions.
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Hangin' out with Sheets
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How To Size
Ever wonder why some fitted sheets don't fit properly? Even though you purchase "queen-size" sheets for your queen-sized bed, the sheets may still be too big causing wrinkles and creases in the bedding. Or, they might fit too tightly and constantly come apart from the mattress they're meant to snugly cover.
The problem lies with the sheet pocket. When purchasing sheets, first measure the height of your mattress, then look for sheets with a pocket depth that matches. This way you'll be assured of a proper fit.
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The Pharoah of Cottons
Of all the different kinds of cotton, Egyptian cotton is the strongest while still maintaining its softness. Though pure Egyptian cotton is grown only in the Nile River basin, Egyptian cotton with an American twist is produced in the Southwest, where it is called Pima cotton.
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About Thread Count
All sheets are not created equal. Those with a higher thread count are softer and more luxurious, therefore more desirable than those with a low thread count. Thread count is the number of threads or yarns woven lengthwise and crosswise into one square inch of fabric. Tighter weaves produce more durable fabrics. High end sheets can have thread counts of 300 and above. Percale sheets have 180 threads per square inch, whereas muslin sheets have 120.
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