This list contains affiliate links.
After 4 years of blogging, it’s easy for me to talk about ethical clothes and accessories. But as I try to extend the sustainable ethos outward to other areas of my life, I find that I’m often overwhelmed. As my husband knows, I’m a B-grade Googler at best (he is much better with keywords), so it can take a long time to find what I need at a price I can afford.
This is especially true for beds and bedding.
Not only are the current sustainable options hard to track down, they can create major sticker shock. Think about it: even conventional sheets and mattresses are investment pieces (I have friends who just spent $2,000 on a new mattress). Items made with fair labor and better quality materials are bound to cost more, on average.
That being said, it’s worth seeking out better options, and the prices aren’t always as high as you’d expect. There’s actually a lot of overlap in price points between conventional and ethical brands because mainstream companies insist on profit margins as high as 70%. Ethical companies can often get away with lower prices because they recognize the difference between sustainable and exploitative margins.
I recently chatted with a representative at Avocado Green Mattress, a company that produces eco, sustainable, and ethical mattresses and pillows, and realized that I’m not the only one who lacks a resource to the best ethical options.
So, without further ado, my picks for sustainable, ethical bedding and accessories…
All prices based on Queen size.
MATTRESSES
Avocado Green Mattress, $1,399
- 100% natural latex, organic cotton, and sustainable wool
- Contributes to International Justice Mission
- 100-day sleep trial
- 10 year warranty
- Get $100 off with code, Stylewise100, through February 28th.
Savvy Rest Tranquility Mattress, $2,499
- Natural latex and GOTS-certified cotton
- Can be customized on each side according to individual preferences
- Can be created in custom sizes for antique beds
- Charlottesville-based company
PILLOWS
Avocado Green Pillow, $89
- Natural Kapok fiber fill
- Organic cotton cover
- Medium density
Savvy Rest Organic Kapok Pillow, $109
- Natural Kapok fiber fill
- Cotton flannel cover
- Charlottesville-based company
SHEETS
Coyuchi Jersey Sheets, $178
- Organic Cotton
- Ethical labor standards
Native Organic Sheets, $180
Anchal Project Gradient Kantha Quilt, $375
- Fair trade
- Made from upcycled saris
- Indigo-dyed
Serrv Kantha Quilt, $210
- Fair trade
- Made from upcycled saris
THROW PILLOWS
American Nomad Natural Kantha Cushion, $40
- Fair trade – helps at-risk women
- Made from recycled saris
Greenheart Shop Silk Blockprint Pillow, $40
- Hand loomed
- Fair trade
Manos Zapotecas Legacy Lumbar Pillow Cover, $89
Yabal Wool Rug, $74-152
- 100% wool
- Plant-based dye
- Fair trade
- Handmade
Ten Thousand Villages Dhurrie Woven Rug, $89.99
- Natural jute and wool
- Fair trade
Get $100 off an Avocado Green Mattress with code, Stylewise100, through February 28th.
Leah Wise is the founder of StyleWise Blog. She has been writing, speaking, and consulting on sustainable fashion, the fair trade and secondhand supply chain, and digital marketing for over ten years. An Episcopal priest, Leah holds a B.A. in Religion from Florida State University and an M.Div. from Yale Divinity School. When not working, you can find her looking for treasures at the thrift store.