I talk a lot about clean beauty here because it is so often overlooked when people are making health and wellness decisions. Eating organic is great, but you must also remove toxins from your skincare (hello! your skin is your largest organ). And if you’re beginning to think about your skin as the magnificent organ that it is, well then how are you covering it? What are you resting it on? What are you using in your environment? The reason I rebranded and chose the name Fe’Lix, Inside & Out was to allow me the opportunity to examine how all of the choices you make contribute to your overall wellness. My goal is to shine a light on the forgotten places. Food, skincare, home, and textiles; in wellness, it all matters.
Today I want to talk about the importance of switching to organic linens, specifically bedding. I’m excited to partner with Coyuchi not only to share information on this topic but also to illuminate this brand that is so far beyond its peers. Yup, I’m adding Coyuchi to my growing list of Brands that Do More.
** This is a sponsored collaboration with Coyuchi, but as always, all opinions are my own.**
Sharing is caring, so head over to my Instagram feed (HERE) for a chance to win a $200 Coyuchi Credit! { Giveaway CLOSED}
Hello, I’m a work in progress
Scientists say we spend one-third of our lives sleeping. Which for most of us means we spend that time in our beds, and while we may be fretting over what we’re putting in our bodies, where we’re sleeping is often overlooked. Trust me; I’m not here to preach from perfection… I’m a work in progress, too. In fact, even knowing that I should switch to organic linens and textiles, it has taken me YEARS to make the switch in my master bedroom.
In fact, it seems a little absurd that I was on the hunt for organic bedding for our master bedroom so long. The kids have had organic linens and mattresses from the very beginning. It’s another example of making something a priority for my children ‘because their little bodies need extra care,’ and not thinking about what I’m doing to/for myself. This is not new, you may recall, my aha moment for transitioning to clean beauty stemmed from realizing I was so careful with my children’s products, and putting toxic junk on my own face.
After a long time of half-searching, I finally decided that bedding would be the next big undertaking I’d tackle in our household. And trust me, I get it, it’s not an easy transition to make. But investing in our bedding is an investment in both the health of our skin and in our sleep. And a good nights sleep will solve like 75% of your problems, I promise. Once I decided that this would be an investment worth making, my search led me to Coyuchi.
Why choose organic linens and textiles
Let me just repeat it; our skin is our largest organ. It processes not only what we put on it, but what it comes in contact with daily. Don’t believe me? Ask anyone who has ever experienced contact dermatitis or a skin allergic reaction. My mother is allergic to wool, if she so much as walks along a wool rug (and kicks particles up into the air), her exposed skin will begin to break out in hives. But even if you do not have a true allergy, exposure to toxic ingredients, over time, will affect your health. It can’t not. We are living, breathing, complex systems that are processing the environment around us.
So you’re just gonna spend one-third of your life on textiles that are potentially hazardous? It just doesn’t make sense to me. But before you can make a choice, you need to know what to look for, So let’s break it down.
All the Certifications
GOTs Certified
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTs) is a textile production certification that limits the use of toxic bleaches, dyes, and other chemical inputs during the production process of textiles. It is internationally recognized as the most stringent organic textile standard because it goes far beyond verifying the organic farming process to include every step of manufacturing. To obtain the GOTS “organic” label, a product must:
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- Contain at least 95% organic fiber.
- Not be treated with bleach, formaldehyde or any other toxic substances.
- Be colored with nontoxic dyes.
- Be produced in a mill that enforces strict social and environmental standards.
When looking for organic textiles, this is the gold standard. Traditional cotton is heavily sprayed with chemicals during production, not to mention the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers during the process of cotton farming. Organic cotton is not only free from the toxic additives but is more energy efficient and water conservative. It’s better for you and the planet.
Fair Trade Certified™
Fair Trade Certified™ is a product certification that promotes equitable trade practices, working with farms and factories around the world to improve wages, benefits, and conditions for workers. I love the motto that “Every purchase supports something. Fair Trade exists to support what’s fair.” This global movement exists to support a diverse network of producers and their livelihoods. By purchasing Fair Trade products, you commit to supporting responsible companies; empowering farmers, workers, and fisherman; and to protecting the environment.
At its heart, the Fair Trade movement is about advocacy for and empowerment of the artisan creating the product you so love. It is a movement I can get behind and a certification that I look for whenever possible.
All roads led to Coyuchi
Coyuchi is a home textile company that creates beautiful products that are better for you and the planet. Not only does Coyuchi respect the natural perfection of their textile fibers (cotton, wool, linen) with their commitment to minimal processing; but they also have the highest standards possible when it comes to sourcing and producing the final product. And if that wasn’t enough, Coyuchi works with partners that use sustainable and environmentally responsible processes from start to finish.
I love that Coyuchi looks at the entire life of a product — from farm to shipping. These fibers are organic. The factories commit to water conservation (some use a zero waste water recycling method). The textiles are made sustainably. The farm workers are respected. Even the shipping practices take into account the environmental impact. Coyuchi is the creme de la creme. And that’s before I even begin talking about the aesthetic, which is beyond beautiful.
A Higher Standard – aka, even more certifications
The fact of the matter is, I’ve done a lot of research, and the number of certifications that Coyuchi has is rare. When I was looking for bedding, I was hoping to find something organic and fair trade, bonus points for a brand that gave back. Coyuchi does that and more.
In addition to having products that are both GOTs and Fair Trade certified (as explained above), Coyuchi also has products which carry the MADE SAFE seal and gives back by partnering with 1% for the Planet. I mean, could they check any more boxes?
Made SAFE
The MADE SAFE® seal means that a product is only made with safe ingredients, i.e., not known or suspected to harm human health, animals or ecosystems. More importantly, it’s the only nontoxic certification to apply to products we use every day. A full post on this certification is coming soon. The gist is this: MADE SAFE products undergo 360-degree assessment. Only the best of the best receive this seal, and it’s hella quantitative.
1% for the Planet
This is a global network of businesses, organizations, and individuals working together to create positive change. Members of 1% for the Planet contribute directly to any of the nonprofit environmental organizations in the network.
Currently, in the United States only three percent of philanthropy goes to environmental causes. On top of that, government funding for the environment is variable even in the best of times. The global community has an opportunity to take responsibility for the planet and drive positive change.
1% for the Planet does that. It’s an intelligently crafted collective which makes it easier to give back to environmental non-profits. Our planet needs this, so I’m 100% on board.
Coyuchi for Life
I’d be remiss not to mention this excellent option with Coyuchi. This subscription model allows you to choose products and replace them responsibly when they’re old. You can select from some of Coyuchi’s best-selling organic basics for bed and bath and when you’re done you just return them to Coyuchi to be recycled, upcycled, or renewed.
Investing in organic linens is just that, an investment. I like this the Coyuchi for Life subscription model makes it a little bit more accessible. You save 15% by using the subscription model — so that 6-pc towel set I’ve been eyeballing would cost me about $168 over two years (paid monthly) vs. $198 as a one-time purchase. And at the end of two years, I’ll send those old towels back to Coyuchi to be responsibly replaced with a new set. How cool is that?
The Review: This bedding is beyond luxe
So, ok ok, Coyuchi absolutely knocks it out of the park when it comes to meeting the highest standards for textiles. But how do they live? You know, when they are in my home and on my bed, and participating in some of the most intimate moments of my life, snuggling with my children and husband; how do they live? Short answer: Incredibly well.
The textiles are soft, fluffy, and luxe. They are also gorgeous and instantly elevated my master suite. I mean, my master bedroom has never looked more “grown and sexy.” Even my husband, who can be a curmudgeon when it comes to my expensive taste, commented that I did well with selecting these pieces. I think he said something like, “worth it.” You guys… that speaks volumes. I love how the geometric Pismo blanket and shams are modern but understated. Also, the duvet insert is box stitched, which means I won’t have to deal with the down settling in one corner and getting lumpy. And I most especially love that the charcoal stripe duvet cover stays light and fluffy.
Here are all the product details
300 Thread Count Organic Percale Sheet set (alpine white) – GOTs certified, certified Made Safe, Fair Trade and participates in their 1% for the people campaign. Also, so damn soft.
Organic linen chambray duvet cover (charcoal stripe) – GOTs certified. Woven from French flax, organically grown and processed using water-saving traditional methods. Coyuchi uses low-impact dyes on this duvet cover. We went with linen because it is more breathable than cotton and more insulating. It’s super soft and looks beautiful.
3 seasons Down Duvet Insert – GOTs certified down proof shell, pure down filled from an Indiana duck farm. 600 fill power makes it lightweight, fluffy, and lightweight. I like a big fluffy duvet most of the year, but I’m always combating my husband’s warm nature. This duvet seemed like it would bridge the gap. We are both happy. 🙌🏽
Pismo Organic Blanket (fog)- GOTs certified. Woven from organic cotton fibers and then stone-washed for softness, I can attest that this blanket is gorgeous. Ya girl likes a fully dressed bed so currently, this drapes along the bottom of our bed. This summer my hubby may make me take the duvet off, in which case this blanket will likely fly solo as our bed topper. This blanket is even more beautiful in person than in the photograph, and it is so soft. I love the modern take on a classic quilt.
Pismo Organic Sham (fog)- GOTs certified. Because what is a fully dressed bed without shams? My husband insists that women only buy shams to piss their husbands off, “what am I even supposed to do with them at the end of the day,” he says. “You sure as hell better not put them on the floor…” He grumbles, and they make it onto the chair. Ya’ll… I have been having this conversation with my husband for ten years. TEN! Can somebody please come get ya boy, because I don’t understand why, after ten years, he is still grumbling over decorative pillows. Shams make me happy, darn it.
The Elephant in the Room ($$)
I’ll just go ahead and call a spade a spade. This is not inexpensive. I have never kept my bougie (i.e., sometimes expensive taste) a secret, much to my husband’s chagrin. So I get it if this doesn’t seem like a priority for you right now. There are many organic textile brands out there, but this is definitely an area where you get what you pay for. In our master bedroom we wanted to create a sanctuary, so we definitely went with a more expensive setup, but that’s not necessary. And that’s why I wanted to talk about the various certifications, hopefully, that information can help you make the decision that is best for your life and budget.
Bottom line, if you are going to start anywhere, start with bedding that is GOTs certified. You can find these in a lot of places and will address the most urgent concerns with traditional textiles. Next, I would focus on finding the highest thread count you can afford for the best feel. And if you are committed to investing in Coyuchi, because of their overall commitment to a better product and a better planet, they do have more affordable Minimalist Sets, which remind me of the old school bed-in-a-bag getup.
And, if you are in the market to make the change now, be sure to head over to my Instagram post this week (Mar 25-31st, 2019) because I’m running a Giveaway for a $200 Coyuchi Credit. Not in the market for bedding? Coyuchi’s got you with bed, bath, home, and apparel! Save some coins, sis.
Have you switched to Organic bedding?
Xo, Kimberly Fe'Lix
