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I’ve personally slept on and reviewed nontoxic bedding for years. For this guide, I tested the softest sheets made of natural fibers at various price points.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years about wellness, it is that rest is paramount, and our environment is an essential part of sleep hygiene. This includes what we sleep on, from nontoxic mattresses to organic duvets and sheets. This also includes knowing our sleep preferences. Whether you’re a cold sleeper who loves flannel or a hot sleeper who prefers crisp and cool percale, one thing’s certain: You still want your sheets to be soft. Buttery to the touch and comfortable all year round, soft sheets are a game-changer (especially if you like to, ahem, sleep in the nude).

What are the best fabrics for soft sheets?

Natural fibers, fabric quality, weave, and thread count play the biggest roles in how soft your bed sheets will be. Natural materials like Egyptian, pima, and supima cotton, as well as bamboo when blended with premium cotton, tend to create the softest sheets with a smooth and silky feel. Sheets made with these fabrics are of higher quality due to their long-staple fibers that produce a smoother feel than conventional cotton or other materials. 

When it comes to weave, the softest you’ll find will be either sateen weave, percale weave, or jersey knit. If you’re looking for that luxurious feel, sateen weave sheets will offer that, while percale and linen soften over time and jersey knit offers a more casual comfy feel. 

Now the big question – how does thread count impact all this? We find that the optimal range for soft bed sheets that are still durable will be between 300 and 600 (anything higher than 600 won’t necessarily make your sheets feel any softer). And don’t forget, when it comes to maintaining the softness of your bed sheets, how you care for them makes all the difference! Using mild detergents will help keep your bed sheets in the best shape for long-term use.    

What are the relevant certifications for nontoxic bedding?

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 strict worker protections that ban exposure to toxic chemicals and child or forced labor, and its rigorous certification process requires that its environmental and social criteria are met throughout the entire textile supply chain, ensuring everyone involved is cared for.
• 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 limited.
• 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 (and are given a numerical rating), a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring a fair and sustainable global economy.
• The Climate Label Certified: Climate Label Certified brands measure their emissions, implement plans to reduce them, invest in climate solutions, and publicly share their progress, demonstrating a commitment to transparency and ongoing climate action.
• 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.

How should you take care of your soft sheets? 

In general, it’s best to wash your sheets on a gentle cycle with mild liquid detergent and then tumble dry on low. Or, better yet, let nature do the work naturally and hang them up to dry in the breeze! More specifically, your sheets will tell you how best to care for them, so follow the instructions on the label if you’re uncertain.

Our criteria & methodology: