Here’s a scary thought: chances are, every piece of bedding in your home that is made with mainstream cotton or polyester fabric is saturated with dyes, bleaches, pesticides, stain treatments and fire retardant sprays.

A scarier thought: since we spend one third of our lives in bed, we breathe in and absorb these hazardous chemicals every night, which can cause, or contribute to, sleep disorders, allergies and even skin issues like eczema.

Thankfully, there are a few eco-friendly fibres worth checking out.

Organic Cotton
Why it’s great: Unlike conventional cotton, organic cotton is grown, harvested and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals.
Find it in: Organic Baby Wearhouse Organic Baby Bedding (US $28+)

Hemp
Why it’s great: Hemp is a breathable, absorbent and durable fabric that grows quickly, has natural antibacterial properties (eliminating the need for chemical pesticides or herbicides) and uses less land to yield more fabric.
Find it in: Rawganique Hemp Bed Linens (C $26+)

Organic Wool
Why it’s great: The sheep used to create organic wool are not subjected to synthetic pesticides, hormones or non-organic feed, resulting in fleece that’s completely chemical free.
Find it in: Shepherd’s Dream Organic Crib Comforter(C $110)

When shopping, keep these tips in mind:

• Avoid wrinkle- and/or stain-free sheets and bedding like the plague. Both are usually treated with myriad chemicals (formaldehyde is a big one), not to mention hazardous dyes.
• Choose bedding materials with these keywords: allergy-free, unbleached cotton, chemical-free or naturally dyed.