People are particular about their pillows — just like our mattress, a good pillow determines whether or not we have a great night’s sleep. Unfortunately, many pillows are made with synthetic materials and toxic finishes. Thankfully, there are a number of brands creating non-toxic and eco-friendly pillows that you can feel better about, and sleep better with.
Whether you’re looking for a travel pillow, body pillow, or sleep pillow, one of the eco-friendly pillow brands below is bound to have what you’re looking for.
What Goes Into a Sustainable & Non-Toxic Pillow?
When deciding if a pillow is sustainable, transparency is key. In general, if sourcing, materials, or production methods are unclear, the company is most likely not a sustainable one.
A sustainable pillow will be made from eco-friendly, non-toxic materials. This means no harmful chemicals or synthetic materials. The materials used will be sustainable and responsibly sourced, such as organic cotton and natural dye.
Sustainable pillows, and brands, will most likely have one or more of the certifications listed below. These certifications verify that the materials and production methods a company is using comply with trusted global standards.
Additionally, sustainable pillow companies will produce their products in a way that doesn’t involve exploitative labor. They will implement production methods that are eco-friendly and ethical – benefitting both their workers and the planet.
Non-Toxic Pillow Materials to Look for — and Materials to Avoid
These are the kinds of materials to look for for sustainable non-toxic pillows:
- GOTS-certified organic cotton
- Sustainably sourced organic kapok fiber
- GOLS organic certified latex
- Responsibly sourced or organic certified wool
- TENCEL Lyocell
- Hemp
- Buckwheat hulls
These are the materials we’d avoid.
- Synthetic polyurethane foam or memory foam
- Synthetic latex
- Polyester
Certifications for Eco-Friendly Pillows
Certifications add a layer of third-party accountability to a brand’s claims — though none of them are perfect on their own, so it’s worth knowing what each one actually covers.
- GOTS Certified = the fabric (like an organic cotton pillowcase) meets strict organic and safety standards, with labor protections built into the entire supply chain. This is the most rigorous certification for organic textiles specifically.
- GOLS Certified = verifies that latex filling is made from certified organic latex, grown and processed to strict environmental and safety standards. A latex-specific certification.
- USDA Organic = confirms that a grown material (like cotton or wool) was produced without synthetic pesticides or GMOs. This is a raw-material certification, not a finished-product one and it doesn’t cover dyes, fillers, or manufacturing chemicals added afterward.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 = tests the finished textile for harmful substances. OEKO-TEX actually offers several distinct certification tiers (STANDARD 100 being the most common), so it’s worth checking which specific OEKO-TEX label a brand holds rather than assuming they’re all equivalent.
- GREENGUARD Gold Certified = the finished product was tested for low chemical emissions, including VOCs. This is the stricter tier of GREENGUARD certification.
- eco-INSTITUT Certified = a German certification measuring a material’s chemical emissions and verifying responsible sourcing — similar in spirit to GREENGUARD, but based in the EU.
- MADE SAFE® = screens against a list of thousands of chemicals known or suspected to harm human health. One of the more comprehensive certifications available, assessed at the product level.
- FSC Certified = wood or paper-based materials (like packaging or textiles like viscose) came from responsibly managed forests. Not a chemical-safety certification.
- Fair Trade Certified = verifies that a factory meets standards for fair wages, safe working conditions, and ethical labor practices. This is a certification about how a product was made and by whom, not about the materials themselves.
- FLOCERT = the certifying body behind Fairtrade International’s certification — a different organization from Fair Trade USA (which issues “Fair Trade Certified”). Both cover similar ground (fair wages, ethical labor, transparent supply chains), but they’re separate certifying bodies with their own standards, so don’t assume a “FLO-Cert” claim and a “Fair Trade Certified” claim mean the exact same thing.
Where to Find Eco-Friendly Pillows
Note that some of the brands below are affiliates, meaning we’ll earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you choose to purchase through these links. As always, all brands meet rigorous criteria for sustainability and are brands we love — and that we think you’ll love too!
1. Circadian
Tested by CL&S Editor, Elizabeth
Sustainable Materials: Organic cotton, organic wool, USA-grown buckwheat, Dunlop latex, Kapok fibers
Based In: USA | Made In: USA
Price: $89 – $269
Crafted in their own New Jersey workshop for over four decades, Circadian knows organic pillows. And with six distinct natural pillow options, Circadian’s range fulfills most sleeping needs, whether you’re a side sleeper or back sleeper and whether you sleep hot or wake up with neck pain.
I’ve been having neck pain for months — even going to physical therapy for it — and the buckwheat pillow has been one of the most helpful things I’ve tried to alleviate neck pain. I tried memory foam, I tried a side sleeper pillow, but the firmness of the buckwheat has been the trick for me.
2. Avocado
Based In: USA | Made In: USA
Sustainable Materials: No chemical retardants; organic GOTS-certified cotton and kapok fiber, GOLS organic certified latex
Price: $25-$199
Avocado is one of the leading brands for eco-friendly pillows. They are a climate neutral B-corp that sources their materials from their own Fair-Trade farms in India and Guatemala. Each pillow is handcrafted in their local GOTS-certified factories.
Plus, Avocado has the trusted certifications you want like Gold Certified vegan, Eco-Institut certified and Made Safe certified.
3. Savvy Rest
Based In: USA | Made In: USA
Sustainable Materials: Organic wool, natural USDA and GOLS-certified Dunlop or Talalay latex, organic cotton, organic kapok fiber, natural dye
Price: $29-$239
*Use code CONSCIOUSSTYLE20 for 20% off*
Savvy Rest has a large selection of eco-friendly pillows, with eight different styles to choose from, including body and contour pillows. Savvy uses a variety of sustainable materials and even offers customizable filling options.
Savvy Rest is both a B Corp and a GOTS-certified organic company, as are their factories.
4. Coyuchi
Based In: USA | Made In: Sri Lanka
Sustainable Materials: GOLS Certified Organic Latex, GOTS certified Organic Cotton, sustainably sourced Down; reusable cloth bag packaging
Price: $68-$198
Coyuchi is a woman-owned, Made Safe Certified company. They produce four different types of organic latex pillows including a body pillow.
Coyuchi uses Fair-trade certified factories and a circular production process. They are also a 1% for the planet partner.
5. SOL Organics
Based In: US | Made In: India
Sustainable Materials: Certified 100% Organic cotton, 100% Canadian down, non-toxic dyes; pesticide & harmful chemical free, hypoallergenic
Price: $169
SOL Organics is a BIPOC-owned and family-run company. They are passionate about ethical production and only work with FLO, OEKO-TEX, GOTS, and Fair-Trade Certified manufacturers.
Responsibly made with care, you can sleep soundly on these sustainable down pillows.
6. Birch
Based In: USA | Made In: USA
Sustainable Materials: GOTS-certified organic cotton, organic birch wool, 100% natural Talalay latex, recycled polyester filling; chemical fire retardant free
Price: $75-$119
Birch offers two different non-toxic pillows. Their organic pillow comes with a 100 night trial and is Greenguard Gold and GOTS Certified.
Their eco-rest pillow is GOTS and Fair Trade certified. Both are handmade in a Fair Trade certified factory.
7. Sleep & Beyond
Based In: USA | Made In: Kyrgyzstan, India, China
Sustainable Materials: 100% natural or organic wool and latex; GOTS, Woolmark and OEKO-TEX Certified
Price: $49-$139
Sleep & Beyond is a BIPOC-owned company that offers nine different types of eco-friendly pillows, including a travel pillow. They have a handy comparison guide so you can easily find the best fit for you.
Sleep & Beyond produces everything in Fair-trade Certified and solar factories using zero waste production.
8. Buffy
Based In: USA | Made In: USA
Sustainable Materials: GRS or RCS certified BPA free Recycled PET filling, Eucalyptus Lyocell, hemp linen; packaging made from FSC certified recycled materials
Price: $49-$99
Buffy is best known for their “cloud-like” comforters but they also have an extensive pillow offering including travel pillows and body pillows.
Buffy is working toward closed loop and zero waste production and offsets their CO2 emissions.
9. Organic Textiles
Based In: USA
Sustainable Materials: 100% natural & organic latex, natural Australian wool, kapok fiber, natural down, GOTS and GOLS certified cotton
Price: $60-$117
Organic Textiles is a great company for finding sustainable pillows from a variety of materials. They even offer extra pillow fillings for a customisable feel.
All of their products are pesticide & toxic chemical free as well as hypoallergenic. Organic Textiles is Green America Approved Certified and uses Fair-Trade manufacturers.
10. Boll & Branch
Based In: USA | Made In: USA, India
Sustainable Materials: OEKO-TEX standard locally and responsibly sourced Down, 100% organic cotton, hypoallergenic synthetic down alternative; recycled packaging
Price: $58-$168
Another great husband and wife owned company is Boll & Branch. They offer harmful chemical free, non-toxic Down and Down alternative pillows.
You May Also Want to Check Out:
15+ Sustainable & Organic Bedding Brands — Sorted by Material
Eco-Friendly Bed Frames for a Sweet Sustainable Slumber
Non-Toxic Mattresses for a Sound & Sustainable Sleep
The post The Top 10 Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Pillows for a Safer Slumber appeared first on Conscious Life & Style.
The Top 10 Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Pillows for a Safer Slumber
Curating a conscious home is a thoughtful process involving much consideration — who made my products, how they were made, and what are they made from — and this guide aims to support you on your journey towards finding ethical and sustainable home decor you truly love.
What is Sustainable Home Decor?
Sustainable home decor includes any home decor that is made in a way that takes into consideration both the makers and the planet. Sustainable home decor will be ethically made using eco-friendly and natural materials. Eco-friendly decor will also be produced using sustainable supply chain practices. This includes using renewable energy and recycled or compostable packaging.
While there are numerous sustainable home decor brands, some of which are featured below, first consider what’s already been made in order to prevent contributing to new waste. Secondhand, used, or DIY home decor options are typically more sustainable than buying new.
What is Ethical and Fair Trade Home Decor?
Ethical and Fair Trade home decor is produced in a way that adheres to Fair Trade standards and is, ideally, Fair Trade Certified. Fair Trade means paying artisans and makers a fair, living wage and providing ethical working conditions. Ethical home decor also includes supporting goods made by artisans using traditional heritage techniques and art forms. Many cultures around the world are at risk of losing their age-old artisanal crafts forever in the age of mass manufacturing.
It’s important to note that sometimes a major brand may use an “eco” fiber while still supporting irresponsible labor practices, and excessive production amounts that inevitably lead to a lot of waste. This is not true sustainability in my mind!
Most artisan-made home decor is ethically produced and directly supports the makers. However, it’s important to check if a brand or marketplace is transparent about their business practices to ensure they are ethical or Fair Trade.
Where Can You Find Sustainable Home Decor?
In terms of environmental sustainability, looking secondhand and vintage is always a great first place to look for sustainable home decor.
But if you’ve scoured those options and haven’t found what you’re looking for and/or if you’re looking to financially support artisans and traditional crafts around the globe, this shopping guide is designed for you. You’ll discover many brands with artfully designed and artisan handmade goods for furnishing any space among this list of decor brands.
All of the brands in this guide use natural and/or recycled fibers and avoid the use of virgin synthetics like polyester; however, some brands do use materials that are not the most environmentally-friendly option on the market, such as conventional cotton.
And of course, I wanted to choose brands that followed slow, thoughtful production practices, prioritizing artisan handmade over factory labor and quality over quantity.
So without further ado, here are my favorite small-batch, artisan-made, and ethical home decor brands.
Note that this guide includes affiliate links — as always, we only curate brands vetted for sustainability that we love (and that we think you’ll love too).
1. Urban Natural
Categories: Accent Pillows, Tabletop, Lighting, Wall Art & Mirrors, Blankets & Throws
Eco-friendly home retailer Urban Natural is on a mission to curate high-quality furniture (and other home goods) built with quality and free of toxic chemicals. Urban Natural carries several sustainable home decor brands, including artisan brands Ethnicraft and Jaipur Living as well as ethically USA-made brands Farmhouse Pottery and East Fork.
2. GOODEE
Categories: Pillows, Lighting, Wall Decor, Planters, Baskets, Blankets, Candles
GOODEE is an ethical marketplace featuring numerous sustainable artisan brands and designers. You’ll find a variety of beautifully crafted home decor goods to suit a wide range of styles. Goodee is a Climate Neutral and B Corp Certified company. They publish an annual impact report so you can easily ensure their business practices align with your values.
Our favorite brands on Goodee are Texidors, Baba Tree, Makaua, and Tensira.
3. Healthier Homes
Categories: Rugs, Lighting, Tabletop, Baskets, Wall Decor & Wallpaper
Founded after years running an award-winning healthy home building firm and publishing a book by the same name (Healthier Homes) this retailer is a go-to online destination for finding non-toxic home goods. The eco-friendly home decor on Healthier Homes is primarily made with natural materials like clay, cotton, seagrass, mango wood, and bamboo,
4. Will & Atlas
Categories: Baskets, Tabletop
Will & Atlas is a women-owned small business making most of their homewares from plant materials like jute, palm leaf, and hogla grass. Their natural fiber baskets are flexile but sturdy built to hold blankets, pillows, laundry, magazines, toys, or just to stand alone as a decor piece. You’ll also find jute coasters and placemats in their tabletop collection.
The brand is committed to ethical practices, partnering with nonprofit fair trade artisan groups in Bangladesh and craftspeople in the U.S. to build long-lasting production relationships.
5. Ten Thousand Villages
Categories: Baskets, Pillows, Throws, Candles, Wall Art, Planters & Vases
Founded 80 years ago, Ten Thousand Villages is the original fair trade store. Throughout the decades, the nonprofit business has continued their commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, as well as sustainability.
As a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization, with artisans around the world from under-resourced communities. Most of the products they carry are made from recycled, upcycled, and natural materials.
6. MagicLinen
Categories: Curtains, Kitchen Linens
Linen is an exceptional material for home decor — there’s a reason we say “kitchen linens!” It’s natural, beautiful, and is often high quality.
I purchased a set of linen curtains from Magic Linen one year ago and they remain one of my favorite home decor pieces. The fabric they use meets the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, meaning its been tested for harmful substances.
7. Passion Lilie
Categories: Pillow Covers, Table Linens
Passion Lilie is a fair trade fashion and lifestyle brand with ethically made home decor, too. The Fair Trade Verified brand has handwoven cotton blankets, organic cotton kitchen linens, unique ornaments, and hand-dyed throw pillow covers.
Each piece is made by Passion Lilie’s partners in India who pay living wages and ensure a safe working environment. Beyond this, the brand supports efforts to enable artisans to continually develop their skills and creates opportunities for community development.
8. 54kibo
Categories: Throw Pillows, Wall Hangings & Artwork, Mirrors, Baskets, Rugs, Lighting
A destination for modern African artisanal decor, 54kibo curates a stunning selection of ethically made home decor. The pieces on 54kibo are made with time-honored techniques using locally sourced materials with rich histories. The designs are exceptional, but the stories behind them make the pieces beautiful additions to your home beyond the surface.
