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Best Oeko-Tex Bed Sheets, Towels & More

bed made with oeko tex certified sheets
Written By
Parachute Team
Photographs By
JESSICA SCHRAMM FOR PARACHUTE
@parachutehome
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If you're among the growing number of eco-conscious consumers looking to live a greener lifestyle, you may have come across the term Oeko-Tex when shopping for sustainable linens and wearables. But what does this certification mean, exactly, and what are the best products carrying the label?

Read on to learn more about the standard, and get to know the best Oeko-Tex bedding, Oeko-Tex towels and Oeko-Tex clothes.

What Is Oeko-Tex Standard 100?

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 is a certification ensuring every component of a product (including threads, colorants and buttons) was made without over 100 potentially toxic substances that could harm people or the environment. You can buy everything from Oeko-Tex Standard 100 sheets and towels to bathrobes and tablecloths.

For a deeper dive into Oeko-Tex Standard 100 bedding and garments, read our blog, What Is Oeko-Tex? Learn About This Textile Certification Standard.

Best Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Sheets

If you're new to the world of Oeko-Tex Standard 100 bedding, a fresh set of sheets is a great place to start. All the high-quality fabrics from Parachute are available with this eco-friendly upgrade, including linen, percale, sateen, brushed cotton and organic cotton. Here's what to know.

Linen Sheets

When it comes to Oeko-Tex sheets, linen is a fan favorite. Sourced from the super-strong fibers of European flax plants, it's notably durable with a laid-back elegance you won't get with any other fabric. Not only that, but linen bed sheets can hold up for several years and actually get softer with every wash.

For more on this billowy bedding material, read our article, Linen: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer.

Percale Sheets

Percale is another popular material for Oeko-Tex Standard 100 sheets — and for good reason. The textile is loomed from 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton using a plain square weave. It's inherently strong and naturally breathable with a smooth matte finish and a crisp, cool-to-the-touch feel. Like linen, percale bed sheets get softer over time.

Explore this fabric further in our blog, Percale: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer.

Sateen Sheets

Sateen sheets are another beautiful, comfortable option to consider. This bedding material is also made of 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton, but instead of a square weave, it's loomed with a distinct four-over, one-under satin weave. As a result, the silky fabric has a subtle (but not overly shiny) luster and a luxurious feel. Sateen bed sheets are naturally breathable, but the tighter weave pattern makes them slightly warmer than percale.

For more details, see our article, Sateen: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer.

Brushed Cotton Sheets

Brushed cotton is perhaps the softest, coziest option you can find when shopping for Oeko-Tex Standard 100 sheets. The fabric is loomed with a plain square weave and gently combed on the front to raise the fibers and create a lightweight insulating effect — similar to flannel but only on one side. Sleeping with brushed cotton bed sheets is like cozying up with your most beloved lived-in shirt.

Learn more about this buttery-soft textile in our blog, Brushed Cotton: Know Your Bedding Like a Designer.

Organic Cotton Sheets

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 bedding can also be organic. When buying sheets, look for the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) label, which certifies that every stage of production meets strict criteria for organic fabrics. Parachute takes pride in offering organic cotton sheets that are both Oeko-Tex and GOTS certified

Check out our guide to the Best Organic Bed Sheets for buying tips and expert insight.

Best Oeko-Tex Duvet Covers

Why stop at Oeko-Tex Standard 100 sheets when there's so much more sustainably made bedding to explore? You can find high-quality duvet covers carrying the label in all the fabrics mentioned above and then some. To add a bit of interest to your bed layers, consider textured organic cotton, cloud cotton or waffle weave.

Textured Organic Cotton Duvet Cover

As mentioned, some Oeko-Tex bedding is also organic. This soft textured duvet cover set is sourced from ethically grown, sustainably harvested GOTS-certified cotton and woven with a unique basketweave pattern.

Explore the world of GOTS textiles in our blog, What Is Organic Cotton? Sustainable Cotton Fabric Guide.

Cloud Cotton Duvet Cover

Can fabric itself be fluffy? You bet! Say hello to cloud cotton, a light, gauzy material with a subtle texture and a billowy aesthetic. This cloud cotton duvet cover set is woven from 100% long-staple Turkish cotton, making it supremely soft but also surprisingly strong and more durable than it looks.

For more fabric recommendations and decor tips, see our article, Bedroom Essentials for Your At-Home Oasis.

Waffle-Weave Duvet Cover

If you select Oeko-Tex Standard 100 sheets with a smooth, flat finish, you might consider mixing things up with a honeycomb duvet cover set. Also known as waffle weave, the unique texture is eye-catching but at the same time subtle and plenty versatile. The back is a crisp percale fabric to ensure softness against your skin.

Check out our Waffle-Weave Fabric Guide for additional details.

Best Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Pillowcases and Shams

When shopping for Oeko-Tex Standard 100 bedding, don't forget to buy a set of pillowcases and maybe a couple of shams while you're at it. Sheet and duvet cover sets often come with one or two, but you can also buy each piece individually if you want to mix and match or like to change your pillowcases multiple times per week.

Pillowcases and shams are available in all the fabric types mentioned above. This includes linen, percale, organic cotton, brushed cotton, sateen and cloud cotton, plus a few you may not be familiar with, like linea cotton, matelasse, box-quilted linen and air cotton.

What's the difference between pillowcases and shams, and do you need both? Read our Pillowcase and Sham Guide to find out.

Best Oeko-Tex Blankets and Quilts

Whether you use it for warmth or decoration, the right quilt or blanket is just the thing for completing your bed. From gauzy cloud cotton and luxurious matelasse to softly textured linea and vintage-inspired linen, there are lots of Oeko-Tex options to choose from.

For expert buying and decorating tips, check out our guides on Quilts, Blankets and Coverlets and How to Layer Your Bed.

Best Oeko-Tex Mattress

The Eco Mattress from Parachute features naturally breathable and moisture-wicking layers of pure New Zealand wool certified by the Wool Integrity NZ program and Oeko-Tex certified, organic cotton ticking fabric.

What type of mattress is best for your sleeping style? See our Decision-Making Guide for Buying the Right Mattress to find out.

Best Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Towels

To expand your horizons from Oeko-Tex Standard 100 bedding, consider getting a set of towels with the Oeko-Tex label. When you buy from Parachute, you'll know your bath linens were sustainably made from natural materials and free of potentially harmful dyes and other synthetic chemicals.

Organic Cotton Towels

Organic cotton towels are not only sustainably sourced from consciously grown plants but also brilliantly soft, quick-drying and inherently luxurious. In addition to being Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified, these ultra-cozy organic towels are also GOTS certified. 

Learn more about what to look for in organic towels in the Best Organic Cotton Towels: What to Look For guide. 

Classic Plush Towels

If you prefer timeless terry cloth, go with classic plush towels. Woven from premium Turkish cotton, these Oeko-Tex bathroom essentials are exceptionally absorbent with a fluffy, spa-like texture.

Want to create an at-home oasis? See our guide on How to Turn Your Bathroom Into a Spa.

Fluffy Ribbed Towels

For a bit more texture, consider a set of soft ribbed bath towels. Not only does the sculpted rib pattern feel nice against the skin, but it's also incredibly absorbent and fast-drying.

Here's a breakdown of How to Wash and Properly Care for Towels.

Waffle-Weave Towels

Another option is waffle bath towels. Woven from long-staple Turkish cotton, the honeycomb fabric is notably lightweight but impressively quick-drying — plus it takes up less space than traditional towels when folded up on a shelf.

Mediterranean-Inspired Fouta Towels

Do you prefer an even flatter fabric? Mediterranean-inspired fouta stripe towels might be your best bet. The light yet absorbent material is supremely soft with an elegant, minimalist air.

For more GOTS and Oeko-Tex bath products, check out these Sustainable and Organic Bathroom Essentials.

Best Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Clothing

If you care about the fabrics that come into contact with your skin, supplement your Oeko-Tex Standard 100 sheets with loungewear, robes and other garments carrying the label.

Loungewear

The loungewear collection from Parachute includes Oeko-Tex Standard 100 shirts and Oeko-Tex Standard 100 pants, as well as joggers, crewneck sweatshirts, shorts, tanks and sleep shirts.

Some pieces are also organic. See our Organic Clothing Guide for buying tips.

Robes

Oeko-Tex bathrobes come in a range of fabrics. We're talking classic plush terry cloth, fluffy cloud cotton, easy-breezy linen and textured waffle weave.

Not sure which material to get? Take our Robe Quiz to find out. 

Best Oeko-Tex Home Essentials

Besides Oeko-Tex Standard 100 bedding, towels and garments, numerous other household textiles carry the certification. This includes decorative pillow shams, curtains and table linens. Here's what to know.

Decorative Pillow Shams

Euro shams go on decorative square-shaped Euro pillows (aka European pillows). Like pillowcases for your bed, they come in various Oeko-Tex fabrics, including percale, sateen, quilted linen, matelasse, brushed cotton, air cotton and cloud cotton.

For more insight, see our article, What Are Euro Shams and Euro Pillows?

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Curtains

The window curtains and shower curtains from Parachute are sustainably sourced from natural flax or cotton fibers and made without any harsh colorants or synthetic chemicals.

Oeko-Tex Table Linens

From napkins and placemats to tablecloths and runners, lots of table linens meet Oeko-Tex standards. The high-quality pieces you'll find in the Parachute Oeko-Tex Certified Collection are naturally beautiful, soft and long-lasting.

To make your household even greener, consider these 35 Eco-Friendly Home Products.