The Pros and Cons of Using Natural Materials in the Bedroom – Particularly as Bed Linen

Organic Bedding: Pros and Cons
There has been much discussion over recent years about organic foods vs non-organic foods. It's fair to say, considering the exponential growth of the organic market, that increasing numbers of people are agreeing that organically produced foods are healthier in most every respect than those foods contaminated with pesticides, chemicals and hormones. What is less talked about than the foods we consume, are the fabrics in our clothing and bedding.

Why Organic?
Our skin is our body's largest organ. We all know our skin excretes bodily waste and toxins through sweat, sores and spots. Our skin also absorbs elements as well. Any compound placed on or next to the skin is potentially absorbed into our bodies. They can be good for us, like vitamins A, C and E, or they can be toxic, like those same chemicals we find in pesticides that we go out of our way to avoid eating. They are just as toxic when absorbed through the skin as they are when orally consumed.

Many of us prefer “natural fiber” products due to its comfort, allowing our skin to breathe. We have tended to believe that 100% cotton is that “natural” way to go, the preferred cloth over chemical synthetics and blends. There is merit to this. However, conventionally produced cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops on the planet. It is estimated that the cotton of just one T-shirt has been sprayed with ¼ - ½ pound of pesticides, a number of them known to be carcinogenic. Those residues remain on the finished cloth.

Moreover, toxic chemicals such as chlorine and formaldehyde are used to whiten the cotton and prepare it to accept dyes, minimize wrinkles, and resist shrinkage and fire. Chlorine is known to be a hormone-disrupter linked to prostate and breast cancers. Chemical dyes often contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, chrome and nickel and some dyes contain chemicals suspected to be cancer-causing.

The Pros of Organic Bedding

Maybe even more important than the clothing we wear, is the bedding we sleep on – particularly on hot nights when we sleep with less on and our skin is more expanded (by heat) and so more receptive. Another point to remember is that the cloth isn't just coming into direct contact with our skin for that third of our life we spend sleeping on it. We're also directly breathing in those residuals chemicals that are continuously being exuded from our pillows, mattresses and so forth.

Organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Organic products are not treated with formaldehydes, bleaches, dyes and other potential and known toxins. Due to its purity, organic cotton is naturally hypoallergenic, softer, more comfortable and breathable. It is perspiration-resistant and more warming or cooling to the body.

Scientific research has documented that organic cotton offers relief from skin problems, allergies, chemical sensitivities and may reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Exposure to formaldehyde has been shown to cause insomnia and contribute to respiratory problems, making organic cotton an obvious choice for bedding.

The Cons of Organic Bedding

While there are no health-related cons to organic bedding – in fact, just the opposite – organic bedding is more expensive, since organically grown cotton is more expensive to produce at this time, with fewer  organic crops than conventional ones (though this is changing). The availability of organic bedding is still limited in comparison to non-organic products.

Because they are not treated to be wrinkle-resistant, they won't pop out of the dryer perfectly smooth and wrinkle-free, except for the soft flannels. Though naturally colored cottons are increasingly available, bedding is not available in fashionably-dyed designs.