According to Eucalypso Home, their products are the result of a desire for ethically sustainable bedding. They state that it all started from a simple dream to create environmentally friendly bedding that could improve the of hot sleepers. Their Tencel sheets are certified to some of the highest standards possible as they seem to take sustainability pretty seriously. They are Gots Certified, Fair Trade Certified, and Oeko-Tex Certified.
The company spent many years creating a new type of innovative that’s silky soft, breathable, and ultra-sustainable. They produce their products in NYC and mill the in Austria. Their bedding seems to be of as high quality as the thread count.
As you know, can get hot and smelly as they’re woven in a way that traps sweat and bacteria – especially if you don’t wash them often. In fact, they often lead to acne and other skin breakouts as well.
Eucalypso seems to appreciate good and cleanliness and all of their woven products are naturally anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic. Not only that, but they’re also breathable and moisture-wicking, and thus, you won’t sweat as much and will be less prone to acne.
The Eucalypso products are sustainably made and eco-friendly. The company believes your sheets should help you wake up rejuvenated. Also, they should reduce sweating and keep you cool, which is not only good for your skin but for your overall health. So, getting into bed will be a great experience night after night.
Furthermore, Eucalypso claims they want you to in silky soft sheets for many years to come. This is why their bedding retains its softness even after repeated washing. In fact, they claim it gets softer and more comfortable over time.
The and Its Process
Eucalypso is dedicated to innovation and creating solutions. They believe the best production processes use natural source materials to minimize the impact on the environment. They’re quite selective about who they source materials from as they believe quality products come from quality people who manage their farms, facilities, and factories responsibly.
The Eucalypso uses for their sheets is the result of such commitment. The 100 percent derive from the wood of natural This eucalyptus species requires a tenth of the water that other species require. Also, the milling takes place at Lenzing Fibers in Austria, leaving no carbon footprint.
What’s Lyocell?
The lyocell used for Eucalypso sheets is sustainably produced from the pulp of wood and made from sustainably sourced timber. The , trademarked as TENCEL, is FSC and PEFC certified, which is proof of the forest owner’s social and environmental responsibility. This type of lyocell is one of the most sustainable fabrics of modern technology. In fact, it’s more eco-friendly than and and apparently more comfortable when used in sheets.
Look for TENCEL-certified fabrics when evaluating , as it’s the badge of high-quality, durable sheets that’ll last you a lifetime. The people who manufacture this refer to it as “the lovechild between and silk.” This is because it’s soft and comfortable and the bedding made from it is extremely smooth and gentle on the skin. In fact, it’s perfect for babies and people with .
The Production Process
Eucalypso is a huge proponent of sustainability and believes it’s important for you, the consumer, to understand where your products come from. This is why they want you to know that their bedding is produced in an environmentally responsible closed-loop production process that transforms into fibers. You may not know it but this kind of process encourages high resource efficiency. Not only that, it has a low environmental impact as it recycles water and reuses about 99 percent of the solvents.
As a result, the production process of Eucalypso sheets requires less water and harsh chemicals than the process of and . For example, other fabrics use a variety of toxic solvents to strip down the fibers but this one requires only one organic solvent.
Of course, the dyes they use are also environmentally friendly. They use natural ingredients derived from iris root, oak gulls, and walnut hulls. They treat them with organic chemical solvents like acid dyes, ash dye fixatives, and natural mordants, among others, to stabilize the color and prevent bleeding. Eucalypso wants you to know that everything they use is stable, neutral, non-irritating, and organic. Thus, rest assured they don’t use synthetics, toxic chemicals, or irritants.
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Silk TENCEL Baby Crib Sheets
This set of sheets sells for $40 and is made with premium 100% from . What makes these so unique is that all the fabrics are spun using their DreamWeave technology. This is a proprietary method of treating that makes it silkier and cooler to the touch. It’s actually designed to help regulate body temperature and soothe o they’re perfect for babies.
Eucalypso sheets are three times more breathable than and 70 percent more moisture-wicking so they’re great for hot sleepers. They’re also antibacterial and hypoallergenic and thus safe for those with prone to acne. The best part is you don’t have to wash them as often. Well, unless your baby’s diaper leaks and…
All Eucalypso sheets are made with 100 percent premium from and have a 600 thread count — the highest in bedding. According to the manufacturer, these sheets are quite soft, naturally hypoallergenic, and gentle on a baby’s delicate skin and hair. They’re also completely natural and organic.
You don’t have to wash these sheets as often as other types but when you do, wash them separately in cold water on a gentle cycle and use a mild detergent. Hang to dry if possible; otherwise, tumble dry on low. Furthermore, you don’t have to wash them before you use them so you can make your baby’s bed with them straight from the package.
The Truth About and Plant-Based Fabrics
Ok, so how sustainable are textiles made from ? An investigation into the fiber indicates that fiber creates a lower environmental impact than for the production of clothes thanks to a more responsible manufacturing process.
You may not be aware, but most of the fabrics currently on the market are obtained from chemical processing phases. Not only that, there are few textile certifications that guarantee sustainable production, even when the old methods are harmful to the environment. Thus, is, in fact, a sustainable for quality and ethical bedding and clothing.
is a woody flowering tree with about seven hundred species that grow mainly in Australia and Southeast Asia. The tree actually grows in any climate so you can also find several varieties spread around Europe, America, and Africa. This fast-growing tree is quite popular due to its oil content, the same that manufacturers incorporate in all kinds of cleaning products, including natural insecticides.
The fiber is better known as and the process used to produce it uses the of certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC). This fiber also carries the Pan-European Forest Council (PEFC) seal.
The Forestry Stewardship Council certification verifies the chosen land is suitable for this kind of tree by examining that the pre-existing flora has not been previously destroyed. They do so by carefully selecting free land and implementing functional re-grafting practices to regenerate . They only allow the strictly necessary amount of land to be used for this purpose.
For instance, the plantations used by Lenzing AG for the production of the lyocell in Eucalypso sheets are all in Europe. This is because the supply chain is easier to control and more reliable.
Note that you cannot claim that an artificial or synthetic fiber is ecological or sustainable without the presence of textile certifications that attest to it. The process of fiber is similar to that of other semi-synthetic natural fibers like viscose . The wood is pulped and reduced to a cellulose viscous solution that’s then forced through spinnerets that spun it into a soft, lightweight, breathable and hygroscopic .
As we noted above, the manufacturing of uses one non-toxic solvent only: amine oxide. It allows the kind of closed-loop processing that perpetually reuses 99% of this chemical. As you can see, the impact on the environment is minimal and so is the use of water and energy. Not only that, the waste products and emissions that do make it to the environment are minimal and harmless.
3 Dubious Bedding Claims, Debunked
Pretty much every bedding company tries to sell you their products based on shady science. Not only that, they increase their prices based on such claims.
Copper-Infused Sheets Are Antibacterial
The use of metal-infused sheets might kill some germs but washing a garment with soap and hot water is still better. Thus, you need to wash your sheets at least once a week and there’s no way around it. This is because you’re not only getting rid of germs and bacteria, you shed thousands of skin cells and dirt as well. For example, a bit of metal on the won’t help you get rid of dog hair and won’t take care of those diaper leaks in your baby’s crib.
Temperature-Regulating Systems
Another claim is that there are sheets that can make your bed as warm or cool as you like. These products often sell for $300 to $1,000 as they’re marketed toward elite athletes. The products pump air and might be great for people who are really, really hot or cold but do nothing for the regular hot or cold sleepers.
For instance, popular ones like The chiliPAD and Ooler have disclaimers saying that “ambient temperature, individual body mass, and humidity” affect peak performance. There are many ways to tweak the temperature of your bed, and most are either cheap or close to free. Are you hot? Get a fan. Too cold? Add more blankets to your bed.
Are Sheets Made of Certain Fibers Better for the Planet?
and fabrics are definitely naturally derived, just like most things. However, they’re basically highly processed types of rayon viscose and lyocell with a great story behind them, as you read above. Indeed, growing does require more land and water than and . The thing is rayon production comes with its own set of problems.
Lyocell and viscose are both made from plant fibers that may or may not be grown sustainably. Also, processing them requires carbon disulfide, which pollutes the air and water. It is also a known health hazard to the humans who produce such fibers, though the final product isn’t toxic.
Lenzing, the company that manufactures the fibers for Eucalypso, uses a variety of fast-growing hardwoods. They closely track what they harvest and replant them and use amine oxide, a nontoxic chemical, instead of carbon disulfide, for the production of . As stated above, they do recapture and reuse 99 percent of this chemical.
However, manufacturers are only required to include 30 percent of Tencel in their products to be able to use this name and claim their products as eco-friendly. As you can see, it’s kind of hard to know what you’re buying these days so be aware of fantastic marketing claims. Something that sounds too good to be true usually is.
The Best to Beat the Heat
A hot night has a negative impact on the quality of your and certain types of bedding can worsen the problem. Some manufacturers advertise that help sleepers maintain a comfortable temperature and might be a good addition to a fan, as we discussed above.
Some of the bedding materials known for their breathability and moisture-wicking properties are from the , rayon viscose from , as well as silk and . A team at the Foundation tested some bedding products in order to decide which sets provide the best and most consistent cooling.
They thought it important to keep in mind that comfort level with any sheets largely depends on whether you tend to overheat while you . This is why their testing team was composed of people with different sleeping needs. They didn’t just pay attention to the cooling factor but also to the materials, durability, ease of cleaning, and durability. Go to their website to see what they found.
It’s All About the Material
As we said above, the type of material is important when it comes to bedding and some are more comfortable than others. The most common bed materials are , , , silk, microfiber, flannel, percale, lyocell, sateen, and satin. We’ve already discussed made with above, but let’s review the rest of them.
is present in various fabrics like rayon viscose and lyocell. It grows quickly and thus, is sustainable. are often soft, breathable, cool-to-the-touch, and durable.
are popular in hot regions but are also appropriate for cooler climates. Derived from fibers, wicks away from the sleeper when it’s hot, allowing enough air circulation to cool them off. Likewise, this is often heavy and thus, has a cozy feel when it’s cold.
There are various grades of and the Egyptian kind is the most sought after when it comes to buying cotton . The fibers in Egyptian are long and great for weaving a smooth, breathable that resists pilling and fraying. It also becomes softer after every wash. is -wicking and breathable and thus comfortable for hot sleepers.
Supima is very similar to and has the same qualities as a . The difference is it’s made in the USA and pricier. You’ll also find a made of . The term refers to a type of weave and a is usually made of .
Silk has a smooth texture and a lovely sheen — don’t be fooled as it’s quite strong. silk is made from the cocoons of insect larvae so it’s considered a natural fiber. and are a good option for hot sleepers as it tends to adjust to your body temperatures to stay warm in winter and cool in summer.
can be made with or synthetic fibers and are usually thick and soft. Those made of natural fibers like or wool are breathable and -wicking, and thus, appropriate for hot sleepers.
Finally, microfiber is a soft lightweight synthetic material and the sheets made with it are usually affordable and easy to care for. This doesn’t allow as much airflow as that made of natural materials and leads to overheating, especially the .
Hopefully, this article has been useful in helping you to pick the best for you and your baby. Note that return policies vary among companies so carefully review the policies and procedures of each. Good night, and sleep tight!
