Choosing Sustainable Fabrics for a Healthier You
Can the fabrics you sleep on impact your health?
Is the luxury of sleep interrupted by toxins in the bedroom? (And no, we don’t mean your situationship!) Today, we’re doing a deep dive into the chemicals hidden in your plush duvet - and what to cozy into instead.
Your skin is your largest, most absorptive organ, and anything that sits against it - from beauty products to fabrics - can release toxins that may be taken in and impact your health. However, you might not know that the same goes for the sheets you curl up in for 8 hours a night (which adds up to about 1/3 of your life!).
Sleep is when your body does the most healing, from repairing muscle to helping your immune system fight infection and inflammation. However, most bedding options on the market are made from ingredients linked to negative impacts on your health, such as plastic-based fabrics and dyes. Is it worth interrupting your healing time with these toxins? Read on to find out what you should avoid in bedding - and what to look for instead.
What To Avoid
Fabrics
Two of the most prevalent fabrics in bedding are polyester and rayon.
As a petrochemical-based (meaning plastic-based, which is derived from oil) fiber, polyester releases microplastics into your air and waterways every time it is used and washed. This makes them available for inhalation or consumption through food and drinks. You may even be breathing them in while you sleep, especially if you sleep on a plastic-based pillowcase!
Microplastics have been found in human heart tissues and are linked to heart attack, stroke, and death. They have also been linked to increased markers of inflammation and may wreak havoc on the body’s systems, from digestive impacts that result in an imbalance in gut bacteria to hormonal imbalance. Other studies have linked microplastic exposure to negatively impact reproduction, with pregnant women and infants being highly sensitive to them. And this is just the beginning of research on the health impacts of microplastics!
In addition, synthetics like polyester, spandex, and nylon may increase the risk of developing eczema, especially in children.
Next, this brings us to rayon. Rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber made from plant cellulose, such as bamboo. Bamboo rayon may sound tempting as it is plant-based (and a naturally sustainable plant, at that). However, the process of taking the bamboo plant and making it into a soft fabric for bedding uses many synthetic chemicals that have been linked to endocrine-disrupting effects. When bamboo is made into a fabric, no trace of the original plant is left. As such, if you see claims that bamboo sheets are “naturally” antibacterial, although a bamboo plant can resist the growth of bacteria, there’s no evidence that the final rayon fabric of your sheets made from processed bamboo is.
Dyes and Treatments
As if that weren’t enough, chemicals from fabric treatments and dyes are known to latch onto microplastics and may be able to enter your system and the environment this way. These chemicals may include plasticizers like BPA/BPS/BPF which improve fabric performance and help to fix dyes; formaldehyde to make fabrics wrinkle-resistant; PFAS, which is used for its moisture-wicking properties; fabric softeners and anti-microbial treatments; and azo disperse dyes, which are used on synthetic fabrics like polyester for their color. All of these chemicals have been linked to disrupting the body in various ways, from impacting fertility to thyroid hormone levels to increased risk for cancer and skin sensitivity.
Even those made from other plant or silk-based fabrics can be dyed with synthetic dyes or treatments to make them ultra-soft—other forms of plastic! This is why it is so important to choose clean-choice fibers to sleep in, especially if you are a hot sleeper who sweats at night. Studies have shown that chemicals can be released into the body from fabrics, especially after sweating, providing an avenue for exposure. Therefore, the chemicals used in bedding production may be hindering this vital healing time.
Luckily, the brand AIZOME has made it their mission to use non-toxic materials and treatments to design the purest bedding on the market. Let’s take a look!
What To Look For
Fabrics
AIZOME has optimized its bedding to create a healing environment, so no endocrine disruptors such as BPA, formaldehyde, phthalates, or PFAS ruin your sleep. Its sheets are made of traceable 100% unbleached GOTS-certified organic cotton, perfect for sensitive skin (and even approved for those with eczema).
Organic cotton is a breathable fabric and its natural structure allows air to circulate, helping to keep skin dry (even if you are a hot sleeper - let’s see polyester do that!). Its temperature-regulating ability and soft feel are wonderful elements for bedding. And, they do not have any latex or synthetic additives - when they say 100% cotton, they mean it.
Check out their sheet sets to overhaul your nighttime sanctuary and layer on their regenerative organic cotton knit blanket for added warmth, or a throw when snuggling in with a good book or TV show. (p.s., we recommend adding an eye mask to really get some shut-eye!)
Dyes and Treatments
The magic is in the plants
Plants used by AIZOME for dyeing. Note: Some are in R&D and are planned for future release.
AIZOME infuses its products with plants that have been linked to medicinal qualities, such as indigo, rubia (also known as madder), and sumac. Studies have proven that indigo in particular is extremely effective at treating wounds - indigo was even worn by samurai to prevent infection of any wounds. It is also antibacterial and, when tested, AIZOME’s indigo-dyed pillowcase reduced the rate of bacterial growth by 70%. Hello, clearer skin!
They have even designed a regenerative and organic cotton t-shirt infused with these botanicals. Invest in these as luxe pj’s to cozy into at night, or wear them out for benefits all day long.
Even the way they dye their products is magical. AIZOME uses patented ultrasound technology to adhere the dye to every fiber, which significantly cuts down on the dye water required and eliminates exposure to synthetic chemicals for both their workers and wearers. It is also estimated that their dyeing process requires 75% (!) less water than conventional synthetic dyeing. This technology ensures the beautiful colors and properties last for years to come - so you and your loved ones can sleep deep and wake up feeling more refreshed and healed every day.
Alternatively, their undyed organic cotton options are particularly great for those with the most sensitive skin, especially children, as synthetic dyes and finishes may increase the risk of developing eczema and irritation.
AIZOME also does not bleach its cotton like many other brands, thereby removing another toxin from your nighttime sanctuary.
Regenerative Practices
Healing the earth from the soil up
Image by SPHERA Sustainability Consulting
Sustainable is a positive first step toward sustaining our world. Minimizing waste, consciously choosing organically grown plant-based fibers, and reducing consumption and emissions are all important ways to maintain our world as it is.
However, the point we are reaching with climate change shows that it is no longer enough. Regenerating our Earth is the necessary path forward to help our world and its inhabitants live and heal and ensure we have resources for future generations.
This is why AIZOME is shifting their cotton sourcing to regenerative cotton. Regenerative farming practices take the benefits of organic farming a step further, ultimately healing the soil in addition to removing the use of synthetic pesticides. (Stopping the use of synthetic pesticides is truly essential as according to the Soil Association, “Pesticide use leads to indebtedness, chronic ill-health and even death among cotton farmers in the world’s poorest countries”.)
Regenerative practices increase soil organic carbon by sequestering and storing carbon from the atmosphere, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce erosion, and improve soil’s drought resilience. By supporting these farming practices—and therefore the healing of the earth—AIZOME is pushing the expectations for what sustainable lifestyle and fashion really mean to show what a truly circular product could look like.
This respect for the earth is shown in both their products and their mission, which is rooted in omoiyari – the Japanese concept of honoring one’s relationship to all things. AIZOME states, “Omoiyari anchors our decision-making in deep relational care and accountability, and in the thrilling possibility that there is a better way for humans – and a better future possible for all”. Now, doesn’t it feel good to support a brand that in turn supports you?
Lastly, because AIZOME products are entirely natural, they can not only be recycled but also can be disposed of in the compost. Read on for more of the benefits from their product waste…
WASTECARE™
Even their product waste is good for you (say what?).
WASTECARE™ is the first skincare product that is made from industrial waste. Taken straight from their factory and tested following cosmetic standards, this skin serum is derived from the leftover plants and water used in their dyeing methods. Translation: their skincare is infused with all of the yummy health benefits in their plant-based dyes!
Worth the Investment
As a final note, the prices of AIZOME pieces reflect the purity of ingredients, quality of the final piece, and fair support of all the resources and people involved in the labor of producing each piece. They stand behind their products with a lifetime manufacturer's warranty, and even did the math on cost per use, finding that a sheet set comes to roughly 16 cents a night used over 5 years (which their pieces will last for, and longer!). An investment that is worth it for you and your family.
No need to compromise health and sustainability for coziness. Wrap yourself in nature’s luxury with AIZOME.
Enjoy 10% off your first order with code LYDIA10