Next best thing to organic cotton sheets? - Page 2

[Arwyn]

Originally Posted by Toolip

I am curious if you feel that these reasons make bamboo a worse choice than cotton (a resource intensive crop even when grown organically). I think that both have there pros and cons but I didn't read anything about bamboo that made me want to dismiss it altogether

No, I just don't think it's the fabulous "green" fabric its advertising likes to make it out to be.

[summermay]

Here are some hints, hope this helps.

1) Color:
If you do not find organic sheets, choose a color that is as natural as possible. like eggshell in cotton.

Avoid black and bright colors as there you can find the most toxic substances in there (like bright pink, orange etc.). The color black is usually the most toxic one as you need a couple of nice ingredients to achieve it.

2) Country of origin:
try to get a local US/Canadian ones or something from Europe which all have some sound minimum standards and many controls.

3) Use your nose:
If something already smells a bit weird in the shop, leave it and look further around.

4) Wash it for at least 3 times before using it (wash and dry principle).

Generally, if you follow these 4 steps, your sheets (and clothes) are basically "as" organic quality.

[fechera]

i usually buy used at goodwilliam or the salvation army. one time i found a set of organic sheets (new in the package) at goodwill for about 10 bucks, but they weren't the right size for my bed idk how your second hand shops are, but you never know what you might find.

[mikaela]

Originally Posted by fechera

i usually buy used at goodwilliam or the salvation army... idk how your second hand shops are, but you never know what you might find.

:

[jwoodbri]

Thanks for all the above advise. I've been wanting to get new sheets for all of us. Our boys now have organic mattresses but not sheets... And DH and I have neither... some day!

[bigteamug]

i just wanted to add that i got twin sheets(knit jersey) for our girls at gaiam for $69 - they often have codes, too for free ship etc - i had one for 15% off.

another option if you're crafty - i bought an organic king duvet to disassemble into queen sheets for us - esp easy if you do it the old fashioned way and don't use elastic on the bottom. said duvet was $25 at gaiam. if you get one big enough, you have enough left to make pillowcases, or org pillowcases are often on sale at gaiam too.

i don't want to be an ad, but i looked for a long time, and these were the best deals i found at this time. most of their sheets are made in pakistan or india, which I feel slightly better about than china.

[talia rose]

You can wash your non organic sheets (and all non organic clothing) in 1 1/2 cups vinegar (with a bit of detergent) to help remove the formaldehyde and other chemicals from the fabric. To me, if you are on a tight budget, the organic sheets are optional, because you can wash in vinegar, but the mattress is not. It must be organic to be healthy.......

[reillys_mom]

I know some green business owners that believe that organic, especially color-grown (veyr subtle colors that don't require dying after) is better than bamboo. Their concerns are the toxicity of the chemicals required to transform the bamboo to a fabric and the conditions of factories that produce it.

[chrissy18966]

Thanks for all the ideas! I'm just learning about all of this

[talia rose]

Originally Posted by reillys_mom

I know some green business owners that believe that organic, especially color-grown (veyr subtle colors that don't require dying after) is better than bamboo. Their concerns are the toxicity of the chemicals required to transform the bamboo to a fabric and the conditions of factories that produce it.

I am one of those. We will not sell bamboo fabrics unless the manufacturer is aware of the toxins dumped into the earth during processing and assures us this is not happening. I find very few manufacturers who are conscious of this. So basically we don't sell bamboo fabrics.

[PGTlatte]

I have found our favorite sheets at Goodwill.....old muslin or flannel sheets, white. They are not organic, but they have been washed probably hundreds of times......so I am reusing.....and supporting an organization I like.....and the sheets feel great !!! Our oldest son is super picky and only likes sheets he says are "cold" and the only sheets I have ever found that meet his standards are super old ones that have been washed for many many years.......

[weliveintheforest]

I've seen inexpensive organic sheets and towels at Quilts Etc (in a lot of malls).
Last year they were quite cheap in January. They also have organic sheets at Home Outfitters and they aren't too expensive .. at least not 200 bucks.

[d80mama]

Originally Posted by llp34

Our oldest son is super picky and only likes sheets he says are "cold" and the only sheets I have ever found that meet his standards are super old ones that have been washed for many many years.......

I just wanted to say that I, too, like my sheets "cold" and I know EXACTLY what he is talking about. I love super old sheets that have been washed and washed and washed.

[PGTlatte]

Wow, there are two of you ! I thought he might be the only one !!!

The ONLY way I can shop for sheets for him is to drag him through a thrift store, and hand him the sheets and have him feel them. He rubs them on his cheek. He either a) hands them back to me with a shake of his head and the pronouncement "NOT cold", or b) hugs them and rubs them with a big grin saying "these are COLD !!!! I LOVE them !!"

Previously I had spent quite a bit of money trying to buy sheets for him...trying to figure out the quality of "cold" and how to purchase it.....I tried some really nice, $$$$ sheets which he turned out not to like at all !! And his is the only twin bed in the house, so it's not like I can use them on a different bed. Gaaaugh ! But, at least, what he turned out to like usually costs only a few dollars !!!

Originally Posted by d80mama

I just wanted to say that I, too, like my sheets "cold" and I know EXACTLY what he is talking about. I love super old sheets that have been washed and washed and washed.

[jennlyn]

I found organic cotton sheets at TJ Maxx for a great price.

[ParisApril]

Originally Posted by mikaela

Secondhand is always a good option. It may not be organic, but it is reusing

I wait for my moms hand me down sheets. She replaces hers too soon so they always last me a few years.

I didn't realize they had to use toxic chemicals to make bamboo fabrics.