6 Best Organic Cotton Crib Sheets [2023]

Looking for the best organic cotton crib sheets? The good news is that they do not have to be expensive and come in a huge variety of colors and prints.

As a mom, I’m always trying to do the best thing for my kids and their health. My oldest son had a lot of unexplained eczema and an allergic reaction to something as an infant. I felt so unsure as a mom in these times because I did not know how to help him. That is what first started me on my deep dive into toxins and harmful chemicals that we are exposed to.

Babies and toddlers spend a significant amount of time sleeping everyday (usually 12-16 hours up until age 4+). So needless to say they are in their cribs a lot!

While I knew that “organic” typically means better or without the use of pesticides there are some things I didn’t realize when initially looking at crib sheets for my kids. In this blog post, we will cover why organic crib sheets matter, the certifications to know about, and brands that are making the best crib sheets on the market.

This post may contain affiliate links.

Why Do Organic Crib Sheets Matter?

Like we discussed above, babies spend a lot of time sleeping. But did you know they are also significantly more susceptible to the effects of toxin exposure than adults are?

Babies have underdeveloped organ and neurological systems that prevent them from being able to detox from exposure to toxic chemicals as adults would. They breathe in more oxygen, which means they are taking in more toxins that way as well.

Their bodies are smaller so they are affected disproportionately than adults are. Babies are also going through active developmental processes – physically and neurologically that are negatively impacted by toxin exposure.

Organic sheets are a way to prevent hours of exposure to harmful chemicals and protect your baby’s delicate skin. How I look at things is that natural materials are preferable and organic fibers are the goal.

Organic cotton is a breathable fabric that you can feel good about your baby sleeping in. But as I mentioned before, all organic is not created equal. Keep reading for certifications to keep an eye out for.

Harmful Substances In Crib Sheets

As parents, we have to be mindful consumers of what our children are eating, using, wearing, and playing with. There’s more to worry about than just the “organic” label when it comes to a fitted crib sheet.

Beyond the chemicals used in cotton processing, there are also other things companies add to crib sheets that are dangerous for babies. These include:

• Formaldehyde – used in making products “wrinkle resistant”
• AZO dyes – linked to cancer and contain heavy metals
• Petroleum- based chemicals – linked to cancer
• Conventional cotton – laden with carcinogenic pesticides and toxins in the manufacturing process

I also want to discuss bamboo briefly as a fabric material. To turn bamboo into fabric, it has to go through a chemical process. The chemicals used are sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and carbon disufide have known effects on human health. Some bamboo products will hold the Okeo-Tex Standard 100 label.

Synthetic materials are covered in harmful chemicals and toxic substances that can cause skin irritations, breathing issues like asthma, and more. Flannel sheets are also often made from synthetic fibers but we might one day find GOTS certified flannel crib sheets.

The Certifications To Look For

There are a couple of certifications to look for when searching for the best organic cotton crib sheets.

GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard

When you see the GOTS certification, you can trust that every piece of the manufacturing process is free of toxin use.

One thing to note, however, is that a product that says “GOTS certified cotton” only refers to the cotton in the product, not the additional steps in the manufacturing process. This is something I only learned recently!

Some GOTS certified crib sheets brands include:

• Burt’s Bees
• MakeMake Organics
• Avocado

We will cover more in the list below.

Okeo-Tex Standard 100

This certification refers to textiles, like crib sheets. Their stringent process means that every component of the product (from the beginning strands of thread to the finished product) has been tested for harmful substances.

Made Safe

The Made Safe label uses a rigorous scientific screening process that to ensure that no dangerous ingredients that are known or suspected to be harmful to human health, animals, aquatic life, or ecosystems are used in a product.

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Best Organic Cotton Crib Sheets

If you’re in the market for organic cotton crib sheets, here are brands to explore that make safe sheets for your baby:

Burt’s Bees

Burt’s Bees is my personal favorite and the brand I purchase most often for my kids’ beds. They make high quality organic cotton sheets at an affordable price point. They are GOTS certified. The good think about Burt’s Bees sheets is that you can often find them in stores like Target and they are easily accessible on Amazon.

These fit standard crib mattresses with no problem. They are a very soft fabric and offer a secure fit. And, you can feel good about the organic materials Burt’s Bees uses. They also have mini crib sheets available.

These sheets typically run between $14-$19.

Avocado Crib Sheet

Avocado’s crib sheet is made of 100% GOTS organic certified cotton. It is also ethically grown in India without the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

With 100% traceability through the supply chain, Avocado also makes their sheets responsibly. The only downside is that this sheet only comes in white. They do have a 400 thread count single ply weave that is described as luxurious.

Avocado’s crib sheets run at $49 but can be caught on sale for $40-45.

Natemia

These sheets come in a variety of solid colors and unique prints. They are both GOTS and OKEO-TEX certified. This brand also has pack and play sheets and twin sheets available. They have deep pockets that allow for the snug fit necessary for a fitted sheet.

Their pricing is around $20-$25 per sheet.

Magnolia Organics Crib Sheets

These GOTS certified sheets come in a variety of bright solid colors. Magnolia Organics offers their sheets in crib size and bassinet size. The cotton is organically and ethically grown in India where the sheets are also made.

Pricing runs about $20-25 per sheet.

MakeMake Organics

MakeMake Organics crib sheets come in a variety of simple and soft patterns. They are GOTS certified, ethically sourced, and sustainably made. Their sheets are 300 thread count.

These sheets run about $30 per sheet and they also come with a pillow case! Check out my list of toddler pillows here.

Naturepedic

Naturepedic makes GOTS certified organic cotton sheets in two different colors – Ivory and White. They are also certified Made Safe, GreenGuard Certified, and are certified formaldehyde free. Naturepedic goes above and beyond to make sure your baby is sleeping on the best.

Their sheets cost $29 per sheet.

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Caring For Organic Sheets

As a note, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. However, there are general ways to care for organic cotton. As far as I know, all of the sheets on this list are machine washable.

This is my favorite laundry detergent. It is toxin-free and safe for delicate skin. Here is 300 free loads.

In general, you should wash your sheets in your washing machine in cold water with like colors. Dry on low or hang dry.

In Summary: Best Organic Crib Sheets

Baby crib sheets might not be on the top of your mind when it comes to your baby but they are a very important and easy swap you can make! These brands, of course, are not the only brands making safe sheets for our babies. Just make sure you look for the certifications above before purchasing.

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