Biome

Are you looking for a more restful, toxin free sleep? Or bedding without allergy-triggering chemicals? And a truly planet-friendly product? You can’t go past genuine organic cotton, linen and hemp sheets.

Free from formaldehyde, resins, and irritating dyes, our sheets are ideal for those with sensitive skin or who do not wish to inhale toxins, and they are much more breathable than conventional coated sheets, keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter.

Biome considers all aspects of the bed linen from growing the fibre right through to the final product.  With all products that are claimed to be organic, it is important to understand which level of the product is organic i.e. the raw fibre, the fabric, or the end-user ready good?

With many ‘organic cotton’ sheets, only the raw cotton fibre was organic, but after that the cotton went through conventional processing that involved harmful chemicals and dyes.  From the fabric state, it may be made in a factory where more synthetic chemicals are used, and the final product coated with formaldehyde and resin (used to make the sheets shiny and wrinkle free).  Lastly, it could be packaged in plastic and exposed to fumigation on entry into Australia.  Often a certification such as OEKO-TEX is attached to a roll of fabric that is bought and sold a few times before it ends up in the factory in China that makes the sheets, meaning there is a dubious chain of custody.  Greatest peace of mind is when the final product has the certification (very unusual in Australia) because that means any claims have been checked the whole way along by an independent party.

There is much greenwashing also with dyes.  The only truly natural dyes are plant-based dyes (like beetroot) and they do not fix, meaning they wash out.  The OEKO-TEX standard is not an organic or natural measure, dyes are usually synthetic and the standard means they do not contain known harmful substances such Azo colourants, formaldehyde, and cadmium.  OEKO-TEX also has many different levels and again you need to know whether it refers to the raw fibre, fabric or end product.

Biome helps you to understand the whole story of the product so that you can made an informed decision.

What about bamboo?

We do not offer “bamboo sheets” because we believe consumers are generally being misled.  As ruled by the US Federal Trade Commission in 2010, it can not be called “bamboo sheets” or “bamboo socks”, because it is actually a synthetic fabric made from rayon or viscose fibres that were manufactured using cellulose found in bamboo, just as Tencel and Modal are made using cellulose from wood.  To call it bamboo something, it must be made from bamboo fibre (which is highly unlikely)–whereas the fibre these products are made from is a human-made fibre. The process of turning hard bamboo into a soft fabric requires extensive processing with hazardous chemicals, including sulfuric acid, endangering factory workers and polluting the environment.  The US FTC states “the soft textiles you see labeled ‘bamboo’ don’t contain any part of the bamboo plant. They are made from bamboo that has been processed into rayon using toxic chemicals.  When bamboo is processed into rayon, no trace of the original plant is left.”

The raw bamboo may have been grown sustainably, but that is a long way from the final product. You also need to know how the fabric is dyed and coated.  Further, after all that processing, there is no evidence that the synthetic rayon retains any of the claimed properties of bamboo, such as antibacterial or antimicrobial.   Certainly we agree that using bamboo is better than petrochemicals and the fabric may be soft and silky, but it is not “bamboo”.  Therefore, we feel the topic is too blurry and likely to mislead consumers into thinking they are sleeping on a natural product with the properties of the original plant.  Biome would reconsider if the products were labelled transparently such as “Rayon sheets” or “made from rayon that was created using bamboo as a cellulose source” and where there was independent substantiation for the clean manufacturing process.

Certified Organic Cotton Sheets

Organature Undyed/Unbleached Organic Cotton Sheets

Organature was founded in 2004 after owner Peter Byl was diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

The Organature range is suitable for MCS sufferers, and those who are allergy prone.  The natural Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified fabric is not treated, bleached or dyed in any way.  From the field, to the mill, to the sewing room, the utmost care is taken to ensure the product is not exposed to chemicals. No harmful chemicals are used to grow or process the cotton, the fabric is not fumigated on arrival in Australia, they do not use fire retardants, and their workplace is is chemically sensitive.  Organature products are also packaged in real biodegradable cellophane, not plastic.  Made in Victoria, Australia.   Shop Organature Certified Organic cotton sheets here >

Sheets on the Line Certified Organic Cotton Sheets

Luxuriously soft Sheets on the Line organic cotton sheets are Certified through to the final product, one of the few organic cotton products in Australia to be.  The entire production process has been certified according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), ensuring that the cotton is not only 100% Certified Organic, but that the manufacturing process has adhered to ethical, social and environmentally sustainable standards.

Like all of our natural fibre bedding, our high quality Sheets on the Line Certified Organic cotton sheets are free from formaldehyde and resin and other toxins, and allow your body to breathe while you are sleeping.  Designed in Brisbane.   Shop Certified Organic cotton sheets here >

Linen Sheets

Linen fabric has been used for hundreds, if not thousands of years, and its weight and drape is unmatched.

Compared with cotton, linen sheets feel supremely soft, luxurious and breathable. Linen sheets are also approximately 2-3 times stronger and more durable than cotton sheets.

Our linen sheets are woven from organically grown flax fibres, and the process for turning flax into linen is eco friendly. The flax plant is quite hardy and grows without the use of pesticides and irrigation. You can’t, however, have dyed linen that is Certified Organic.

Flax fibres are different to cotton in that they have a hollow core. Because of this, linen fabric is able to absorb a large amount moisture without feeling wet, and dries quickly, making the fabric very comfortable against the skin. It has fantastic insulation properties, helping you to keep cool in summer and warm in winter, and is naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial.

Low impact dyes, vintage washed for ultimate softness and luxury, and will softer and softer with each wash.  Designed in Brisbane.  Shop linen sheets here >

Hemp Organic Cotton Unbleached Sheets

Hemp sheets are highly absorbent and breathable, which help to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. Hemp is incredibly strong. It is up to 8 times the tensile strength and 4 times the durability of cotton, and is naturally hypoallergenic, anti-viral and anti-bacterial. Because of this, it is an excellent choice for asthma and allergy sufferers.

Our hemp and organic cotton blend sheets have a beautiful raw, thick linen-like appearance that softens with every wash. They are made from 55% hemp and 45% Certified Organic cotton, making the fabric more soft and fine than 100% hemp. They are unbleached, giving them a beautiful natural look, without added chemical load on our planet.

Hemp is a beautiful, eco choice for bed linen. It grows quickly, does not need pesticides, herbicides or fungicides, and requires only modest amounts of water. While non-GMO SKAL Certified Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic chemicals.  Plastic free packaging.  Imported fabric. Made in Australia.

Shop our hemp and organic cotton blend sheets here >

Find more ideas on creating a healthy bedroom sanctuary or see our all our organic cotton sheets.

Image source:  copyright to Sheets on the Line