There is nothing to compare with the feeling of slipping into a cocoon of freshly made luxurious bed sheets after a long day. Sheets that not only elevate your senses, but most importantly, elevate your wellbeing and promote a deep and healthy sleep.
For many years now there has been little consciousness in our culture regarding the chemicals used in the production of our furnishings, and their impact on the environment and our bodies. Residues of chemicals that were initially designed to destroy living matter are frequently found in the fabrics we use in our daily lives.
This is why we believe that when choosing the right bed linen for you, the first question you should ask is, “How green are the sheets?”
CHOOSING GREEN
Natural doesn’t equal organic.A fabric made of natural fibres means that it was made using non-synthetic yarns, such as cotton, silk, wool or flax. Choosing natural fibres doesn’t necessary mean an eco-friendly choice, though. Cotton is one of the most popular choices when it comes to bed sheets; but sadly, non-organic cotton production uses more chemicals than any other crop, making it the world’s dirtiest commodity.
Organic cotton doesn’t equal organic fabric.
A fabric labelled as “made of organic cotton” simply means that the cotton used was grown to an organic standard. It does not imply approval of the processing steps required to produce the fabric from the cotton fibre. Those steps could include the use of toxic chemicals, such as chlorine, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and many others. An “organic fabric” label means both the fibre and the fabric processing adhere to an organic standard.
Organic fabric doesn’t equal organic sheets.
When choosing to buy organic sheets, the most reliable source to trust is a third-party certification. There are a few global certification agencies that allow products to carry the organic label, and most of them certify the fabric only. You can choose to have sheets made of organic fabric; or you can choose to have the entire supply chain of your sheets certified, starting from the farming of the fibre, through production, processing and packaging, to distribution. Our sheets are made in line with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which is considered to be the gold standard in organic textile certification. Not only does GOTS ensure that the fabric is farmed and processed to the highest organic criteria, but it also requires that production units have waste-water systems, the employers comply with ethical criteria, and the packaging and transport systems meet sustainable guidelines.
DEFINING QUALITY
When it comes to choosing high-quality bed sheets, it is not only the thread count that is important. While the general rule is “the higher the thread count the better the sheets”, it is the quality of the yarn and the skill of the weave and the finishing that will define the nature of your sheets.
There are many types of cotton available on the market: Egyptian, Pima and Giza, to name just a few. These names and trademarks represent a mix of plant species and growing region which can also be misleading. The best cotton, known as extra-long staple cotton, has very long silky fibres, which are spun into yarn. Within each species, even the world-renowned Egyptian cotton, there are many different grades of quality (or staple length). In simple terms, the longer the fibres, the finer and stronger the yarn it can produce, enabling a weave with a higher thread count and a smoother feel.
Lula Green sheets are made using only the finest organic extra-long staple cotton, creating a yarn of the highest quality grade destined mainly for luxury shirting, producing a refined texture and an unmistakably luxurious feel.
When it comes to weaving of the fabric, we rely on the expertise of the Italian textile heritage. Italians are world-renowned as master weavers and their excellence in fabric-finishing are closely guarded company secrets handed down from one generation to the next. Finishing is the final process that gives the sheet its ultimate colour and softness, and has the final impact on the durability and texture of the sheets.
Remember, the true quality of bedding sheets is defined by the finesse of the yarn and the excellence of the production techniques.
IT’S PERSONAL
The ideal feel of the sheets is always defined by personal taste. It is the weave of the fabric that creates the weight and the texture that defines your desired experience.
There is a range of weaves available when it comes to bed linen, such as percale, sateen, waffle, jacquard, and more. Lula Green’s organic cotton collection currently consists of sheets made with sateen and jacquard weave. The two types of weave allow us to achieve the very high thread counts not possible with other types.
Sateen weave produces a silky fabric finish, and is our choice for the plain-coloured styles. It creates a luxurious look with a smooth satin sheen, and a very soft touch to the skin.
The jacquard fabric is yarn-dyed and woven on the jacquard loom to create a pattern with a lustrous contrast. The flat part of the weave is sateen, while the raised part is matt. In our jacquard collection, the reverse side of the duvet covers and the pillow cases is woven to a sateen finish with the colour blend of the dyed yarns. Jacquard weave involves more time and skill in the making, and is considered to be more resilient than basic weaves, and far more luxurious that printed fabrics.
Just as with weave, thread count (TC) is a personal preference. Thread count is the number of threads used per inch of fabric, horizontally and vertically. Lower thread counts will have a lighter feel, while higher thread counts will produce denser and silkier fabrics. At Lula Green we offer cotton sheets between 475 and 600 TC. Because the organic cotton yarn we use is not weakened by harsh chemicals, the 600 TC sateen sheets produce a fabric just as dense and silky as 1000 TC conventional cotton. Unfortunately, there is no global standard to measure the softness of the fabric, and the quality of the actual feel will be defined by you.
FINAL TOUCH
In our opinion, the final touch essential for a quality sheet is the hand of the seamstress. The best fabric in the world can easily be wasted if not finished with expertise, attention to detail and, we believe, passion.
True heirlooms are made to last. With good care and storage, Lula Green bed linen will bring you wonderful dreams for many years to come.
We recommend that you wash your linen in warm water on a gentle cycle using a mild eco-friendly detergent. Please choose your laundry products carefully, making sure that they are not only environmentally friendly, but also not harmful to you and your loved ones. Do not use any detergents containing bleaching agents, and do not use fabric softeners, as they will damage the fibres and shorten the life of your linens. The traditional method of one cup of white vinegar in the rinse water will remove any traces of soap.
Do not use commercial stain removers, unless they are organic. There are many old-fashioned tips and tricks on how to remove stains organically.
You have probably already heard that the best way to dry your linen is by fresh air. Nothing compares with the feeling of slipping into a freshly made bed that still retains that scent of the crisp open air. When drying outdoors, avoid direct sunlight; otherwise, try to dry them during the milder sun hours – in the morning or the evening. If you must use a dryer, only use the lowest setting, and take the sheets out while they are still damp. Completely drying the fabric in the dryer will damage the fibres over time.
Ironing or pressing your linens while they are still damp will make it a lot easier. Use a well-padded ironing board and a clean iron, pressing the underside of the linens, avoiding creating new creases. Once ironed, the sheets should be left to cool completely before folding them.
Traditionally, bedding sheets used to be stored in a linen cabinet. This fashion has been revived recently, and many of our clients store their linens proudly in beautiful antique closets. When storing on a wooden surface, be careful that the wood finish doesn’t transfer onto your fabric. For protection use an old piece of sheeting. Never store bed linen in plastic, but in a well-ventilated cupboard away from light.
Finally, you might want to add a personal scent to your bedding. Lavender, rose, violet and thyme are all beautiful natural scents that will help your senses to calm down and unwind. A personal tip from Lula Green: Try not to use the same scents in your bedroom that you surround yourself with during the day. Use a particular scent on your sheeting, and in your bedroom only. The sense of smell has a strong influence on our subconscious mind. It brings back memories associated with it. The scent of your bedroom should only remind you of the intimate emotions associated with that space, whatever you choose it to be. Every time you enter your bedroom you should be welcomed by those scents and emotions, allowing you to drift away and leave the world behind.
Due to the handmade nature of our bed linen, the sizes may vary by a few centimetres. This reflects the human touch applied throughout the making process, and should be embraced as such.
At Lula Green we craft our products with great care and skill. Our bed linen carries a 12-month guarantee. If during your guarantee period you detect a fault, such as a faulty stitch or button-lock, the product will be repaired free of charge or, if necessary and possible, replaced. (An original proof of purchase will be required.)
To enquire about repairs, please email us at customercare@lulagreen.com. Our team will then get back to you to assess your reported fault. Please note that not all faults can be repaired – our team will work closely with you to find the best possible solution. Once we have agreed to repair or replace, we might require you to post the faulty item to our head office. Depending on the nature of the fault it will take 2–8 weeks to have your item repaired by one of our specialist artisans in Italy.
We strive to ensure the highest standard of quality during the repair, and always aim to provide exceptional customer satisfaction.