A superior way of living begins with a superior way of sleeping.
‘When do you launch organic bedding?’ is one of the most frequent questions received. The search for the best and most sustainable bedding took five years of reflection, field-testing and sourcing across Europe. Nothing less than the best was acceptable.
Content
- Organic bedding – what are the best options?
- What are the benefits of organic bedding made of linen?
- Which organic bedding fabric is better for sleep? Cotton vs Linen Bedding
- Combining Traditional Techniques with Advanced Sustainable Practices
- Organic bedding – what made us fall in love with linen
- Finding organic bedding: 5 questions to fact-check
Organic bedding – what are the best options?
From the beginning it was clear that only 100 % organic fibres would be used. Silk, cashmere, cotton, hemp, bamboo and eucalyptus were tested. The silk is woven in Como, Italy. For bedding, larger looms are required to weave wider fabrics. These were not available in Europe and would only have been accessible in China – an option ruled out due to insufficient transparency on sustainability and labour standards.
Cotton is soft and breathable, which explains its popularity. Its affordability also contributes to widespread use. The pros and cons of silk alternatives such as bamboo and eucalyptus are explored in the article on vegan silk alternatives.
What are the benefits of organic bedding made of linen?
Linen is extremely soothing to the skin. It possesses natural antibacterial properties and outperforms cotton in breathability and moisture management. Less sweating occurs in summer and warmth is retained in winter. Contrary to popular belief, linen is not only a summer fabric but ideal for use 365 days a year.
This performance stems from the characteristic structure of flax fibres. Each fibre has a hollow core, called a lumen, surrounded by a rigid cell wall of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The hollow lumen traps air, acting as a natural insulator and enabling effective temperature regulation.
Breathability: The loose weaving allows air to circulate freely. This makes linen exceptionally breathable and keeps the fabric cool and comfortable, especially in warm weather.
Moisture Wicking: The porous nature of flax fibres enables rapid absorption and release of moisture. Linen can absorb up to 20 % of its weight in moisture without feeling damp. The absorbed moisture evaporates quickly, enhancing the cooling effect.
Insulation: Air trapped in the hollow core provides natural insulation. Linen allows heat to escape in hot conditions while retaining body heat in cooler temperatures.
Durability: The thick cell walls surrounding the lumen give flax fibres exceptional strength and resistance to wear and tear.
Lightweight Feel: Despite its strength, the hollow structure results in a lightweight fabric that offers comfort without heaviness.
In summary, the hollow structure of flax fibres is fundamental to linen’s superior breathability, moisture management, insulation and durability – making it the optimal choice for comfortable and sustainable bedding.
Which organic bedding fabric is better for sleep? Cotton vs Linen Bedding
| Feature | Linen Bedding | Cotton Bedding |
|---|---|---|
| Breathability | Linen fibres are thicker and more loosely woven, creating more space between threads. Air circulates freely, making linen exceptionally breathable. | Cotton is breathable, but less so than linen. The finer, tighter weave restricts airflow in comparison. |
| Moisture Wicking | Linen absorbs moisture and dries quickly, helping to regulate body temperature and keep the sleeper cool in warm weather. | Cotton wicks moisture well, but does not dry as quickly as linen, which can make it feel less cool in hot conditions. |
| Softness | Linen has a slightly rougher texture than cotton, yet high-quality linen is soft by nature and becomes even softer with use and washing. | Cotton is typically softer and smoother than linen, especially in higher thread-count fabrics. Premium cotton is often found between 400 and 600 thread count; the most luxurious reaches 900–1100 thread count and is typically Egyptian cotton used in high-end hotels. |
| Water Consumption | Flax requires far less water to grow than cotton. It can often be cultivated with natural rainfall alone. On average, flax uses about 6.4 litres of water per square metre. | Cotton is highly water-intensive. More than 10,000 litres of water are needed to produce one kilogram of cotton, with roughly half coming from irrigation. |
| Environmental impact | Flax needs less water and fewer pesticides, resulting in a significantly smaller environmental footprint. Higher flax quality also reduces the need for industrial processing. | In some regions cotton farming depletes local water resources and contributes to water scarcity and pollution. |
Flax requires significantly less water than cotton, making linen bedding the more sustainable option in terms of water efficiency. In addition, linen has a lower overall environmental impact due to reduced pesticide and fertiliser use.
Combining Traditional Techniques with Advanced Sustainable Practices
Outperforming other fibres in both quality and sustainability, linen proved to be the optimal choice for the bedding collection. Flax is inherently sustainable, and the linen is sourced in the most environmentally responsible way possible.
European flax fields for the highest quality fibre
The flax is sourced exclusively from three regions in Europe: Belgium, France and the Netherlands. These areas produce the world’s highest-quality long-staple flax fibre, resulting in a smoother, stronger and more lustrous fabric. Long staple fibres contain fewer knots and impurities, creating a more even texture. Shorter fibres tend to produce a rougher, less durable fabric with more irregularities.
The better the flax, the better the linen and the less processing is needed.
The strictest sustainability guidelines are followed: no pesticides are used and the fields have been pesticide-free for at least three years. The flax and linen carry third-party organic certification.
Belgian Mill for Weaving Excellence
Production partners with a family-owned mill that has been crafting exceptional linen since the 19th century and has supplied European royalty. The craft has been passed down through five generations and remains in the family. High-quality linen is extremely durable, tightly woven with a consistent, even texture that feels smooth to the touch. It possesses a natural lustre and refined appearance. Lower-quality linen is often loosely or unevenly woven, resulting in a rougher, sometimes scratchy texture and a dull finish.
The mill operates carbon-neutral thanks to its own solar power system and follows a zero-waste policy. Flax dust generated during weaving is collected and used in the production of dollar bills – 25 % of the dollar bills is made from flax.
Organic bedding – what made us fall in love with linen
High-quality linen is defined by long-staple fibres, a smooth and even weave, outstanding durability, refined appearance and superior comfort. It improves with age and use, making it a worthwhile long-term investment. Lower-quality linens may be cheaper initially but often lack durability, comfort and aesthetics. The collection offers organic linen bedding in five colours: white, flax, arancia orange, aquamarine menta and green apple. All colours are sustainably dyed with botanical dyes, reinforcing the commitment to environmental, animal and human welfare.
Finding organic bedding: 5 questions to fact-check
1. Where is the sewing done? Check the ‘Made in’ label.
2. Where is the fibre (e.g. flax) grown?
3. Where is the weaving done?
4. Are sustainable practices used?
5. What dyeing and finishing treatments are applied?
