When you buy sustainable bedding, you’re not just choosing colour or thread count - you’re choosing how your sheets were made, what they’re made from, and how they’ll impact your health and the planet.
That’s where textile certifications like OEKO-TEX® and GOTS come in. Both are trusted worldwide, but they serve slightly different purposes.
If you’ve ever wondered what these labels really mean, how they differ, or which matters most when buying bedding, this guide breaks it all down - and shows how Ethical Bedding’s products meet both of these leading standards.
Why Bedding Certifications Matter
Not all “eco-friendly” or “organic” claims are created equal. Certifications help you cut through marketing jargon and verify that a product truly meets high environmental and ethical standards.
When it comes to bedding, certifications like OEKO-TEX® and GOTS tell you three important things:
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The materials are safe for your skin and health.
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The production process is environmentally responsible.
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Workers are treated fairly and ethically throughout the supply chain.
Without these certifications, it’s difficult to know whether your sheets are genuinely sustainable - or simply “greenwashed.”
What is OEKO-TEX®?
OEKO-TEX® (pronounced “eco-tex”) is a globally recognised certification system that ensures textiles are safe from harmful substances.
The most common standard, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, tests every component of a product - from the fabric to the threads, buttons, and zippers - for over 100 harmful chemicals, including:
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Pesticides
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Heavy metals
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Formaldehyde
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Allergenic dyes
If a product carries the OEKO-TEX® label, it means it’s proven safe for human use, including babies and those with sensitive skin.
At Ethical Bedding, all our eucalyptus bedding is OEKO-TEX® certified, which guarantees that every fibre is completely free from toxic residues. This makes it ideal for people who value hypoallergenic, gentle, and breathable bedding.
Shop our Eucalyptus Bedding Collection here.
Key Benefits of OEKO-TEX® Certified Bedding:
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Tested for harmful substances
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Safe for sensitive skin and allergies
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Ensures clean, chemical-free manufacturing
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Applicable to both natural and synthetic fibres
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Recognised in over 100 countries
In short: OEKO-TEX® focuses on what’s in your bedding - and what’s not.
What is GOTS?
GOTS, short for the Global Organic Textile Standard, goes beyond just testing for chemicals - it governs the entire journey of a textile, from farm to finished fabric.
To carry the GOTS-certified organic label, a product must:
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Be made with at least 70% certified organic fibres (95% for full certification).
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Prohibit toxic dyes, bleaches, and finishes.
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Meet strict environmental criteria at every production stage.
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Uphold fair labour practices and safe working conditions.
That means GOTS doesn’t just ensure the end product is safe - it also guarantees that it was produced responsibly, both socially and environmentally.
At Ethical Bedding, our organic cotton bedding (available in both sateen and percale weaves) is GOTS certified, meaning it’s traceable from organic farms to the final stitch.
Shop our Organic Cotton Bedding Collection here.
Key Benefits of GOTS Certified Bedding:
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Organic fibre content (cotton, linen, wool, etc.)
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No synthetic pesticides or GMOs
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Socially responsible and fair labour
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Environmentally friendly dyes and processes
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Comprehensive traceability across the supply chain
Put simply: GOTS focuses on how your bedding is made - from the ground up.
OEKO-TEX® vs GOTS: The Key Differences
While both certifications are highly respected, they serve distinct purposes.
Here’s a clear side-by-side comparison:
|
Feature |
OEKO-TEX® |
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) |
|
Primary Focus |
Product safety (chemical testing) |
Full supply chain sustainability |
|
Material Type |
Any fibre (natural or synthetic) |
Organic fibres only |
|
Chemical Testing |
Extensive testing for harmful substances |
Limited testing (focus on organic standards) |
|
Labour & Ethics |
Optional add-on (STeP certification) |
Mandatory fair labour standards |
|
Environmental Impact |
Tests end product |
Audits entire production process |
|
Scope |
Safety certification |
Organic & ethical certification |
|
Example at Ethical Bedding |
Eucalyptus bedding |
Organic cotton bedding |
Which Certification Matters Most for Bedding?
The short answer? Both - but for different reasons.
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If you’re choosing eucalyptus bedding, OEKO-TEX® matters most. It confirms the material is completely free from toxins, making it ideal for sensitive skin and allergy sufferers.
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If you’re choosing organic cotton bedding, GOTS is the gold standard. It ensures your sheets were made sustainably, ethically, and organically - from seed to shelf.
Together, they create the perfect harmony:
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OEKO-TEX® = Safe to sleep on
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GOTS = Sustainable to produce
At Ethical Bedding, both standards play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of our collection. Whether you prefer the silky smoothness of eucalyptus or the timeless comfort of organic cotton, you can rest easy knowing both meet world-leading certifications for safety and sustainability.
How These Certifications Impact Sleep Quality
While certifications focus on ethics and safety, they also influence your sleep comfort in subtle but important ways.
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Chemical-free fabrics are gentler on the skin and reduce irritation.
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Natural fibres like organic cotton and eucalyptus regulate temperature better than synthetics.
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Cleaner production methods preserve the fabric’s natural softness and breathability.
In other words, sleeping in certified bedding doesn’t just feel better morally - it genuinely feels better physically too.
You’ll notice fewer skin reactions, steadier body temperature, and the kind of softness that comes only from truly natural fibres.
The Future of Sustainable Bedding
As awareness around ethical production grows, certifications like OEKO-TEX® and GOTS are shaping the future of the textile industry.
They push brands to:
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Eliminate toxic chemicals and microplastics.
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Prioritise renewable fibres and closed-loop production systems.
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Support fair wages and safe working environments.
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Build transparency across the entire supply chain.
At Ethical Bedding, these certifications aren’t just labels - they’re our baseline. We believe luxury and responsibility should go hand in hand.
Sleep Better Knowing What’s Behind Your Bedding
Both OEKO-TEX® and GOTS matter - not as competitors, but as partners in creating bedding that’s safe for you and kind to the planet.
If your priority is chemical-free comfort, look for OEKO-TEX®. If your focus is organic farming and ethical sourcing, choose GOTS.
Either way, you’re making a better choice - for your home, your health, and the environment.
With Ethical Bedding, you don’t have to choose between them. Our OEKO-TEX® eucalyptus bedding and GOTS-certified organic cotton collections both uphold the highest standards of purity, sustainability, and comfort - so you can rest easy, every night.
