The Good Bedding Check List
1. Made Ethically
How the product was made is so important to the integrity of the product and company. Ask about the brand's philosophy on ethical production. If factory produced, where was the item made? Does the product and company have any certification on factory working standards? Often made-to-order items, like Modernplum, has a slow-sewing approach to production where items are hand-crafted by a single sewer versus assemble line. Putting more focus on artisan slow sewing often creates a product that pays a fair wage, and will hold up better over time than those mass produced. When time, craft, and a focus on quality fabrics has been placed onto the production, these translate into the overall longevity of the product. If reducing landfill is important to you, then buy better and less often. Made to order bedding will give you that option.
2. Dye Quality
Fabric pigment can vary a lot. The quality of fabric dyes and time spent in the dye process make all the difference between a short-lived and long lasting product. For products where production is fast, dye colors are often transient, and can fade in the wash or degrade in the sun or heat. Brights and whites will change their hue. Be careful of fabrics that suggest they be laundered alone or that say that colors will vary from item to item. These are indications that the dye and fabric is not set, and its appearance can (and probably will) change over time.
3. Fabric Content
The biggest point of difference between between disposable and luxury is the fiber material. Sturdier and hardier fabrics like linen will hands down out live cotton or cotton blends, making it a better long term choice. We look for natural materials that have stood the test of time when selecting and using them as products.
The fiber content in fabrics all react differently to the harshness of the wash and dry cycle. Generally less expensive fibers like short-staple cottons or any synthetic blends like polyester breaks down much more quickly than premium fibers like linen. If you use a hot dryer, you'll notice this happen quickly. Fabrics will start to feel stiff rather than soft, like linen. When this occurs, the cycle of having to replace that bedding will start again.
4. Color Spectrum
Have you ever noticed when looking at the bedding at a big box store that the color selections are wide but predictable. Nice whites and neutrals are the most popular, followed by black and gray. Mass market bedding generally uses a limited palette of mainstay colors for their products. If you are looking for something a little different in hue, or perhaps an interesting pattern or stripe, a more boutique product is the better alternative.
5. Sewing Detail
Not all bedding brands sew with equal quality. Look for sewing stitch length (shorter is more durable), corners that a mitered, pillows that are lined, and zippers that are snuggly sewn. For duvet covers, look for extras like internal ties, and repeats on patterns are closely matched. These are the details that make a huge difference in quality, but often are skipped during production in order to save labor time and cost.
Here are a few the biggest reasons to step on over to the world of luxury bedding. For those who experience these things on a repeat cycle of shop - use - disposal - replace, it is exhausting and not sustainable over the long term. Making the leap to good, long-lasting bedding can break this cycle, and over time lead to a healthier planet and a healthier frame of mind.
