What toxins and animal fibres are lurking in your linen cupboard? Here’s what you need to know to keep yours healthy, sustainable, and cruelty-free.
While it would be great to have everything in our homes be cruelty-free, toxin-free, and environmentally friendly, it’s not always possible. But with a little know-how, you can make more informed purchases. Let’s learn about some common textiles that are found in every home.
WHAT FIBRE IS THAT?
In the production of any textile, there are basically two types of fibres: natural fibres and man-made fibres. Man-made fibres can further be divided into fibres made from petroleum and those made from plants. Fibres that are made from petroleum are synthetics such as polyester, nylon, and acrylic. These can be compared to single-use plastics – they are bad for the environment and will stick around for hundreds of years polluting our planet once discarded. Fibres made from plants are called cellulosic and include textiles such as rayon or viscose. But it’s not so simple that we can assume any fibre made from plants is better than any fibre made from petroleum.
Let’s consider bamboo sheets as an example. They are often sold as organic, natural, and antibacterial. And these qualities may well be true for the bamboo plant in its natural state. However, once the bamboo has been pulverised into fibres and then converted into yarn, chemicals that are harmful to the environment and to humans will usually be added. This makes the bamboo textile, which the sheets are made from, a man-made fabric which is neither antibacterial nor organic. So how do we know which textiles are the better choice?
YOU GOTTA HAVE STANDARDS
There are many certifications, but there are two important ones to know for textiles: the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and the Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
The Global Organic Textile Standard ensures that every step of the textile production adheres to strict standards, from field to fashion. For example, proper water treatment so that chemicals used in production are not flushed into the environment, and a ban on hazardous pesticides in organic cotton production, making it safer for growers. Factories are regularly inspected to ensure there is no forced labour or child labour, and allergenic, carcinogenic, or toxic chemical residues are not allowed in GOTS-certified clothes.
Textiles certified by the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 are tested to ensure they are free from harmful levels of more than 100 substances known to be harmful to human health.
So how do we use these certifications to pick the best product, be it sheets, towels, or another fabric? A good start is to choose a textile that has GOTS certification. GOTS only certifies natural fibres, so you know that the fabric does not contain any man-made components. Your next best bet is a man-made textile that is made from plants and has Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification.
Let’s take a closer look at some common household textiles.
A CLEAN AND KIND LINEN CUPBOARD
We can’t ignore that convenience and cost are two important factors in our everyday lives when it’s time to replace some common items. These tips will help you get the best buy for your bucks (and your health).
Sheets
Remember to look out for GOTS and/or Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certifications for all fabrics you buy. As mentioned earlier, bamboo sheets are not the healthiest or most sustainable option given the natural bamboo fibres have been treated with a myriad of chemicals to transform them into a fabric. Buying certified sheets also avoids the risk that the textiles have been treated with chemicals such as formaldehyde, which is known to cause cancer and can off-gas for many years.
Pillows and quilts
You’ll want to avoid down or feathers in your bedding, not only to steer clear of animal cruelty but also because they are one of the most common sources of allergies. This is because they are not washable and are a perfect breeding ground for dust mites. Natural fibres that are GOTS and/or Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified are the best choice and include kapok, organic cotton, linen, bamboo, buckwheat hull, millet hull, and hemp.
Towels
Here’s a revelation for most people: towels are not vegan. Well, most of them aren’t. What could possibly make a towel not vegan-friendly? Austrian company Vossen who claim to have made the ‘first vegan-certified towel range in the world’ have a list for us. This includes: beeswax (for the weaving mills and external weaving processes), detergent (for wet finishing processes), dyes, softening agents for sewing yarns, labels, glue, and more. If a vegan purchase is important to you, search for a brand that is vegan certified.
MATTRESS MATTERS
Beyond the linen cupboard, you may like to carefully consider your next mattress purchase too. Wool and silk often hide in the upholstery layers, padding, and lining of mattresses, so check the label to avoid these. If health is a big concern, you may also want to stay away from memory foam, synthetic latex, and vinyl too.
It gets tricky when suppliers market their mattresses as ‘made with 100 percent natural latex’, ‘contains natural latex’, or even ‘100 percent natural latex’ when they really contain a blend of natural and synthetic latex – with very little ‘natural’ content. The easiest way to get around misleading marketing claims is to stick to those made with certified organic latex. Another good standard to know will help guide the way: Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS).
You can also look for mattresses and casings made from natural fibres such as certified organic cotton, hemp, eucalyptus fibres, or organic natural latex, which is inherently hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant, and super durable.
BRAND PICKS FROM AN INTERIOR DESIGNER
Mattresses – Peacelily and Eco Kids
Sheets – Ettitude and Bed Threads
Pillows – Goldilocks Natural Bedding (kopok) and Pure Earth Australia (buckwheat)
Quilts/doonas – Goldilocks Natural Bedding and Bambi
Towels – Vossen and Bhumi
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Remember, it may not be possible to have a 100 percent cruelty-free, environmentally friendly home. But to do your best is certainly better than not trying at all. Take one step at a time, and in time, your home will become healthier, kinder, and more sustainable.
Lead image: Enzo Muñoz on Pexels
