How to Care for Organic Cotton Bedding: A Conscious Guide

Photography by Sarah Forgie & Imogene Roache

A bed made in our GOTS certified organic cotton percale offers a refreshing invitation; a supremely comfortable night's sleep in breathable, lightweight and cool-to-the-touch sheets. Perfect for warm sleepers or balmy nights, sleeping in cotton is a breeze, and so is caring for it. Follow our conscious guide to learn the best methods for washing, drying and storing your cotton, and discover the secret to super soft sheets for years to come.

Our new cotton capsule collection in Mineral Stripe, at home with Sarah Godden

Investing in organic cotton bedding

Our complete cotton collection is crafted from GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified cotton. GOTS is the worldwide leading textile standard for organic fibres, measuring ecological and social impact across the entire textile supply chain. Grown without pesticides, herbicides, or fertilisers, organically farmed cotton therefore helps to protect local waterways & communities and promotes healthier working conditions. Organic cotton production also uses far less water than conventional cotton production, and reduces water pollution by alleviating chemical run off.

Washing organic cotton bedding

Given the careful consideration given to the production process of your cotton bedding, we encourage you to introduce sustainable care practices at home by washing your cotton bedding at 30 degrees, using an eco-friendly detergent. Wash alone, or with like colours and do not bleach.

Drying, ironing & storing cotton bedding

Line drying your cotton bedding will give it a crisp finish, while the sun has natural anti-microbial effects. Hanging sheets straight after washing can alleviate the need for strenuous ironing later. We recommend avoiding tumble drying where possible; not only do dryers risk shrinking natural fibres, but they consume a high level of energy but they are harsh on, and greatly shorten the lifespan of your textiles. If tumble drying is necessary, use it on the lowest setting. Changing your bedding weekly will help retain freshness, and improve the longevity of your collection. When cotton bedding is not in use, store in an airy cupboard or linen press.

Our new Mineral Stripe & classic Pure White cotton percale are made in Europe from GOTS certified organic cotton and woven in a superior long staple cotton in a crisp 300 thread count.

The secret to soft cotton bedding

The secret to super soft bedding is 100% long staple cotton which results in a smoother, silkier finish due to fewer exposed fibres. Not only is it more luxurious, long staple cotton is also hard wearing and more breathable than low-cost, short staple cotton. Unlike cheaper bedding, our cotton percale is woven from a 300 thread count in a durable percale weave, with a subtle finish and is soft to the touch, not shiny like inferior poly-cotton blends.

We recommend avoiding fabric softeners as they may coat cotton fibres with a layer of (often silicon-based) chemicals. Unfortunately, over time this means your bedding becomes less breathable and prone to trapping body oils, sweat and unpleasant odours. Most conventional softeners also contain synthetic fragrances and silicones which are slow to break down in water systems, contributing to microplastic and chemical pollution.

Mineral Stripe &  Pure White cotton percale styled at our sunlit Paddington flagship store.

When your bedding reaches the end of its life

IN BED offers a take-back program for all bedding, homewares and sleepwear no longer in use, known as Back IN BED. As part of this initiative we are proud to partner with local charities that can put to use lightly damaged or faulty items. Recycled textiles, off-cuts and samples are also repurposed into creative projects such as collaborations with local makers, and Atelier IN BED: an evolving series of capsule collections, designed in-house and thoughtfully crafted within 10kms of our warehouse in Sydney, Australia. 

Read more about this initiative on the IN BED Journal, or shop our organic cotton collection here.