We're big fans of linen at Leaf Score. Especially for sheets. And West Elm makes some of the loveliest linen sheets around.
We don't yet carry any linen sheets in our Leaf Score Essentials store, but we're working on it! (And we do offer more affordable, just as luxurious organic cotton sheets.)
In the meantime, here are my thoughts on West Elm and its Linen and Cotton Bed Sheets.
West Elm's overall ethics and sustainability
West Elm is better than most for its eco-friendly practices and ethical standards, but it's still got a way to go before being truly sustainable and non-toxic.
The company carries a lot of products across a wide range of household categories, including bedding. Many of these are Fair Trade and some are made with organic and more eco-friendly fabrics.
Unfortunately, West Elm also offers a larger range of products comprising more conventional cotton that isn't certified organic.
GOTS vs. Better Cotton
The company seemed set on switching to only GOTS certified organic cotton in all its bedding by 2020 but now appears to have abandoned that goal.
Instead, West Elm has thrown its support behind the Better Cotton initiative. This isn't quite as good as certified organic but does reduce the use of pesticides and other harmful practices and processes.
Rather troublingly, though, only 10% or so of the cotton marketed under the Better Cotton initiative logo is actually 'better'.
This is because of the way the certification uses a 'Mass Balance' system to track cotton through supply chains.
Yes, this system is less onerous and expensive, but it also means you have no way of knowing where the cotton in your sheets is from and how it was grown.
I also noticed, while scouring the West Elm website, that some products tagged as 'organic' don't actually contain any organic cotton. So, be very careful to check listings for a GOTS certification.
See also: Leaf Score Essentials Organic Cotton Sheets - all organic, no greenwashing
My top choices for West Elm sheets
Overall, I only recommend the following sets of West Elm sheets:
- 400-Thread Count Organic Cotton Percale Sheets - great for everyday use while feeling like luxury hotel bedding
- Belgian Flax Linen Sheets - available in at least 27 colors and pre-washed for a lived-in look
- 200-Thread Count Organic Cotton Percale Sheets - less luxurious but still great and more affordable too!
Sustainable and great quality linen sheets
Linen is highly breathable, meaning it helps keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.
West Elm’s Belgian Flax Linen sheets are available in:
- 27 colors
- Full, Queen, King, and Cali King.
You can buy a full set of sheets or get individual pieces, including:
- Pillowcases
- Flat sheet
- Fitted sheet.
West Elm’s linen sheets comprise fine Belgian flax and are sewn in a Fair Trade Certified™ facility in China.
The sheets are pre-washed for a lived-in look and have a crisp, natural texture that softens further with washing. They are highly breathable to help keep you cool in summer and warm in winter.
The Belgian Flax Linen fitted sheets are also generously sized, fitting mattresses up to 16 inches deep. (Psst, that means they'll easily fit the Evaya Bliss, even with the topper!)
Organic cotton sheets
West Elm also offers organic cotton sheets that are GOTS certified organic and made in India and China. They're also Fair Trade certified
West Elm’s 400-Thread Count Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set is available in:
- Two colors
- Twin/Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Cali King sizes.
These are the softest of West Elm’s sheets and have the highest thread count. They’re great for everyday use but also feel like luxury hotel bedding.
West Elm also offers an organic cotton sheet set in a 200-thread count percale weave. These are more affordable but less luxurious than the 400-thread count set.
The Twin XL sheet set has a longer fitted sheet to accommodate both standard twin and twin XL dorm mattresses and fitted sheets can fit mattresses up to 16 inches deep.
You can also get these sheets monogrammed!
As with most organic cotton, you can machine wash these sheets on warm and tumble dry.
West Elm vs. the competition
West Elm linen and organic cotton sheets are beautifully made and offer luxury hotel quality without the luxury price.
That said, the organic cotton sheets are a little pricier than Leaf Score Essentials GOTS Organic Cotton Sheets, which have a 300-thread count and feel every bit as luxurious.
They're also pricier than Sleep and Beyond sheets, Sol Organics, Homebird, and others we love.
West Elm's linen sheets are some of the best around. They're more affordable than linen sheets from Rawganique, Avocado, and Coyuchi. However, Coyuchi and Avocado's linen is organic certified.
Final thoughts
If you're looking for linen sheets, West Elm is a good bet. For organic sheets with a high thread-count and a raft of sustainability certifications, check out Leaf Score Essentials.
And in the meantime, we'll keep working to source high quality, but affordable flax linen sheets to add to the store.
