What’s in Your Bedding? The Case for Choosing Chemical-Free Linen

Your skin absorbs more than you think. See what chemicals are hiding in conventional fabrics—and why OEKO-TEX certified European linen is a safer, smarter choice.

Beauty aficionados know all about the benefits to be gained by the absorption of skincare ingredients such as retinol or vitamin C. But have you ever thought about what else might be absorbed by your skin without you knowing? We spend a third of our lives in bed—a third of our lives, therefore, in contact with our bedding. Even taking government regulations into account, a surprising number of harmful chemicals hide in conventional bedding; these may cause skin conditions, respiratory issues, or even cancer. Companies use these chemicals for several reasons—to kill pests, to increase yield, or to speed up production—but ultimately, it all comes down to protecting their bottom line, no matter the effect on the user.

So, what’s a health-conscious consumer to do? Fortunately, certification by an independent testing organization can help. The OEKO-TEX Association—headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland—carries out stringent testing in its 17 textile research institutes worldwide. Products are submitted to these institutes, which test for more than 1,000 harmful substances in every part of the product—even threads and fastenings. If it passes this rigorous examination, it’s awarded a product class from I to IV (with I being the highest).

Class IV products have the least amount of skin contact time (e.g. curtains and tablecloths), though it’s worth noting that even Class IV products contain only tiny amounts of chemicals. Class I is the most stringent class and the only class suitable for babies, as they have more absorbent skin than adults.

At The Modern Dane, we knew we wanted to use OEKO-TEX linen bedding from day one, to give you the ultimate peace of mind (always useful when you’re trying to sleep!). We’re very proud to say that every product in our Scandinavian-style bedding collection is certified OEKO-TEX Class I—so it’s safe for you and your whole family.

To better understand what that means, let’s take a closer look at the chemicals in conventional bedding—and how OEKO-TEX protects you from them.

Phthalates

Phthalate esters are used mostly on synthetic textiles to make fabric more durable and flexible, as well as in printing inks. Phthalates have been identified by the European Commission as “substances toxic for reproduction,” affecting fertility, pregnancy, and fetal development. OEKO-TEX caps the presence of phthalates at 500 milligrams per kilogram—half the amount stipulated by the European Union (EU).

N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF)

DMF is a solvent used both in production and as an antifungal agent to prevent mold growth while textiles are being transported. Similarly to phthalates, the European Commission has imposed limits on DMF levels due to their risk to reproductive health. OEKO-TEX limits DMF levels to 500mg/kg, one-sixth of the EU limit (3,000mg/kg).

Organotin Compounds

Organotin compounds refer to a group of tin-based chemical compounds. They are more often used in the production of polyurethane foams in mattresses but can also be used as stabilizers in bedding textiles. They have previously been used in ship paint, so their effect on marine life is well known: they act on cell mitochondria, leading to deformities and endocrine disruption. In humans, they are thought to disrupt the endocrine system and may even contribute to obesity by disrupting metabolism. For Class I certification, OEKO-TEX has strict limits on the use of 18 different organotin compounds: 0.5 mg/kg for TBT and TPhT (considered to be the most toxic) and 1mg/kg for the others.

Per- and Polyfluoro Alkyl Substances (PFAS)

PFAS are used in textiles to repel water and dirt, and to add durability. In popular media, they’re known as “forever chemicals” as they’re nearly indestructible and have seeped into almost every aspect of life on earth—water supplies, household products, fields, and oceans (affecting the meat and fish we eat). Moreover, the European Environment Agency states that “Textiles are one of the biggest sources of PFAS pollution in Europe.” The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that PFAS may increase the risk of prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers; reduce vaccine response; cause developmental delays in children; and increase cholesterol levels. OEKO-TEX states that there must be “no intentional use” of PFAS, meaning that they cannot be added—any PFAS on the product will have come from the environment in which it was made. For those, OEKO-TEX sets tiny trace limits for 11 different categories of PFAS.

Chlorinated Benzenes and Toluenes

Chlorinated benzenes and toluenes are used as dye carriers for dyeing, printing, and coating; some may remain in the fabric afterward. Exposure to chlorinated benzenes and toluenes can potentially cause anesthetic effects and liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage. The most toxic chemical from this group is hexachlorobenzene (HCB), classed by The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” OEKO-TEX sets the total limit for all chlorinated benzenes and toluenes to 1mg/kg.

What You Get with OEKO-TEX-Certified European Linen

The above is just a handful of the 1,000 harmful chemicals OEKO-TEX tests for; as you can see, in many cases the OEKO-TEX limits are even lower than those of the famously stringent EU.

As well as negating the risk to your health, having OEKO-TEX-certified bedding means that the natural properties of linen are allowed to shine, without chemical interference. When producing our sustainable European bedding, we don’t use acids to strip the flax stem from the linen fiber; we wait for dew and rainwater to break it down, leaving the longest, strongest fiber possible. Rather than chemical softeners, we wash our linen duvet covers with enzymes that reduce stiffness and leave it silky soft. Washing this way also retains linen’s breathability, rather than clogging up the fiber’s natural pores. Interested? Check out our full collection of soft linen duvet covers, certified Class I by OEKO-TEX.

Did any of our facts about chemicals surprise you? Have you ever purchased anything certified by OEKO-TEX? Let us know on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter!