Sleep Naturally: How Organic Bedding Can Transform Your Health

In today's fast-paced world, achieving a good night's sleep is more important than ever. One often overlooked factor in attaining quality rest is the type of bedding we use. While synthetic materials abound, opting for natural and organic sleep products can significantly enhance your sleep and overall health.

Here at Putnams using the very best eco friendly and sustainable materials is what we do best. So we thought we would explore the various natural bedding materials, the health benefits of choosing natural over synthetic options, and how the right natural bedding can address common sleep issues.

Comparison of Various Natural Bedding Materials

British Wool

Wool is a fantastic natural bedding material known for its excellent temperature-regulating properties.

It keeps you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, thanks to its natural breathability. Additionally, wool is hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, making it ideal for allergy sufferers. 

“Wool is not only one of the oldest fibres known to mankind, it is also one of the most beneficial.” His Royal Highness, King Charles III

Characteristics:

• Wool is known for its exceptional insulating properties. It can keep you warm in winter and cool in summer due to its natural ability to regulate temperature.
• It's highly breathable and moisture-wicking, which helps maintain a comfortable sleeping environment.

Advantages:

• Allergy-Friendly: Wool is naturally resistant to dust mites, mold, and mildew, making it ideal for people with allergies or asthma. All Putnams wool is OEKO-TEX 100 British wool, meaning it has been tested to prove it contains no harmful substances to human health.
• Durable: Wool fibres are resilient and long-lasting, often outlasting synthetic materials. Mildew and mould resistant. 
• Sustainable: Shearing wool from sheep is a renewable process that can be done annually without harming the animals. All Putnams wool is sourced from British farms. The UK has some of the highest standards of animal welfare in the world which farmers must adhere to.
• Environmentally friendly: 100% natural, 100% biodegradable and 100% renewable. As sheep farming no longer takes place solely to harvest wool, wool is now a by product of other industries. Putting the environment at the forefront of your every day decisions protects you and future generations. 
• Animal friendly: Since the 1960s British sheep have had access to the Five Freedoms, Freedom from hunger, malnutrition and thirst, Freedom from fear and distress, Freedom from physical and thermal discomfort, Freedom from pain, injury and disease, Freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour.

Cotton

Organic cotton is another popular choice for natural bedding.

It's soft, breathable, and highly absorbent, which helps wick away moisture from the body. Cotton bedding is also easy to care for and durable, ensuring a long-lasting investment in your sleep health.

Characteristics:

• Cotton is soft, lightweight, and highly absorbent, which makes it a popular choice for bedding.
• Organic cotton is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, making it a more eco-friendly option.

Advantages:

• Breathable: Cotton allows air to circulate, helping to prevent overheating during sleep.
• Hypoallergenic: Organic cotton is free from chemicals that can cause skin irritations and allergic reactions.
• Easy to Care For: Cotton bedding is machine washable and durable, maintaining its quality over time.

Buckwheat

Buckwheat hull pillows are gaining popularity for their unique ability to conform to the shape of your head and neck, providing excellent support and alignment. These pillows are naturally cooling and hypoallergenic, making them an excellent choice for those with allergies or sensitivity to heat.

Characteristics:

• Buckwheat hulls are the outer shells of buckwheat seeds, used primarily in pillows.
• These hulls create a naturally firm and supportive pillow that conforms to the shape of your head and neck.

Advantages:

• Supportive: Buckwheat pillows provide excellent support and alignment for the neck and spine.
• Cooling: The hulls allow for airflow, preventing heat buildup and keeping the pillow cool.
• Hypoallergenic: Buckwheat hulls are naturally resistant to dust mites and other allergens.

Linen

Linen, made from the flax plant, is renowned for its durability and breathability. It has a unique texture that becomes softer with each wash and is highly absorbent, making it ideal for hot sleepers. The natural bedding health benefits of linen include antimicrobial properties that contribute to a healthier sleep environment.

Characteristics:

• Linen is made from the fibres of the flax plant and is known for its strength and durability.
• It has a unique texture that becomes softer with each wash.

Advantages:

• Highly Breathable: Linen is excellent at regulating temperature, making it suitable for hot climates and summer use.
• Moisture-Wicking: Linen can absorb a significant amount of moisture without feeling damp, keeping you dry and comfortable.
• Eco-Friendly: Flax plants require less water and fewer pesticides compared to other crops, making linen a sustainable choice.

Silk

Silk bedding offers unmatched luxury and comfort.

It's incredibly smooth and gentle on the skin, reducing friction and the potential for wrinkles. Silk is also naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, contributing to a cleaner sleeping environment. Due to it being a natural insulator silk also keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter months. 

Characteristics:

• Silk is a luxurious fabric produced by silkworms. It's incredibly smooth and soft to the touch.
• It has natural temperature-regulating properties, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Advantages:

• Gentle on Skin: Silk is hypoallergenic and can help reduce skin irritation and wrinkles.
• Dust Mite Resistant: Silk's natural properties make it resistant to dust mites and other allergens.
• Elegant Appearance: Silk bedding adds a touch of luxury and sophistication to any bedroom.

Bamboo 

Bamboo is a relatively new sustainable bedding material which ticks all the boxes for an eco-friendly sleep solution. Uniquely Bamboo plants use more carbon dioxide and expel more oxygen making them great for air quality. 

• Bamboo fibres are derived from the pulp of bamboo plants. They are soft, silky, and highly breathable.
• Bamboo bedding is often blended with other natural fibres, such as cotton, for added durability.

Advantages:

• Moisture-Wicking: Bamboo fabric can absorb and evaporate moisture quickly, keeping you dry and comfortable.
• Antimicrobial: Bamboo has natural antimicrobial properties, reducing the presence of bacteria and odors.
• Eco-Friendly: Bamboo grows quickly and requires fewer resources, making it a sustainable choice. 

Health Benefits of Choosing Natural Over Synthetic Materials

Improved Air Quality

Natural bedding materials like cotton, wool, and linen are free from harmful chemicals and toxins commonly found in synthetic bedding. This leads to improved air quality in your sleeping environment, reducing the risk of respiratory issues and skin irritations.

Hypoallergenic Properties

Many natural bedding options, such as wool and silk, are inherently hypoallergenic. They resist dust mites, mold, and other allergens that can trigger allergic reactions and asthma.

This makes natural duvets and pillows an excellent choice for those with allergies or respiratory conditions.

Temperature Regulation

Natural materials are highly breathable and better at regulating temperature compared to synthetic counterparts. Wool, cotton, and linen can wick away moisture and allow for greater airflow, helping you maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature throughout the night.

This is particularly beneficial for individuals who experience night sweats or hot flashes.

Reduced Chemical Exposure

Synthetic bedding often contains chemicals like formaldehyde, flame retardants, and dyes that can off-gas and cause health issues. By choosing organic sleep products, you minimize your exposure to these harmful substances, promoting better overall health.

Sustainability 

By choosing natural bedding, consumers support sustainable agricultural and manufacturing practices. This includes supporting small-scale farmers and producers who prioritize environmental stewardship and ethical labour practices.

As demand for sustainable products grows, it encourages more businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices, contributing to broader societal change and far reaching health benefits for generations to come. 

In general eco-friendly sleep solutions tend to be considerably more biodegradable then their synthetic alternatives. Again contributing to the long term global health benefits. 

Addressing Common Sleep Issues with the Right Natural Bedding

Insomnia

If you struggle with insomnia, natural bedding materials like wool and cotton can help create a more comfortable and calming sleep environment. The absence of chemicals and the superior breathability of these materials can reduce irritation and create a more conducive atmosphere for restful sleep.

Allergies and Asthma

For those with allergies or asthma, allergy-friendly bedding options like wool, silk, and buckwheat hull pillows can make a significant difference. These materials naturally repel dust mites and other common allergens, helping to keep your airways clear and reducing nighttime symptoms.

Overheating

Overheating during sleep is a common issue that can disrupt rest. Eco-friendly sleep solutions such as linen and cotton bedding excel at moisture-wicking and temperature regulation, keeping you cool and dry throughout the night. Buckwheat hull pillows are also a great option for those who tend to sleep hot, as they do not retain heat like synthetic pillows.

Neck and Back Pain

Proper support is crucial for alleviating neck and back pain. Buckwheat hull pillows conform to your head and neck, providing customized support and promoting proper spinal alignment. This can significantly reduce discomfort and improve sleep quality.

Skin Irritations

For individuals with sensitive skin, natural duvets and pillows made from materials like silk and organic cotton are gentle and less likely to cause irritation. These materials are free from harsh chemicals and dyes, providing a soothing and skin-friendly sleeping surface.

Looking after Your Health and the Environment

Investing in natural eco-friendly sleep solutions is a wise decision for both your health and the environment. By opting for organic sleep products like wool, cotton, buckwheat hull pillows, and silk, you can enjoy a range of health benefits, from improved air quality to better temperature regulation.

Furthermore, natural bedding is often hypoallergenic and eco-friendly, offering allergy-friendly and sustainable sleep solutions. As you transform your sleep environment with natural duvets and pillows, you'll likely find that better sleep leads to enhanced overall well-being.

Would you like recommendations for specific organic bedding materials or tips on how to transition to natural bedding? Contact our helpful team with decades of experience! And guess what, they are all humans too so you'll be able to speak to someone directly!