Greetings one and all.  With the coming of the new year, it’s time for the first annual “Greenie” awards – my take on the best organic and natural bedding products of 2007.  So, let’s jump right in!

Best Organic Sleep System – Non-Innerspring: 

Green Sleep Vimala Sleep System

The Vimala is unequalled in this category, with the very best materials available anywhere in the world.  Yes, it’s expensive, but there are far more expensive sleep systems in the marketplace that are very inferior to the Vimala.  So, rather than an overpriced, overblown sleep system that doesn’t come close to measuring up to this hand-made beauty, go for the original and the best – Natural Rubber from Malaysia, Wool from Texel Island, Holland, and Organic Cotton Velour from Peru, fully certified by KRAV. 

Best Organic Sleep System – Innerspring:

Royal-Pedic Organic Royal Cloud Pillowtop Set

Royal-Pedic is the best made mattress in the United States when it comes to innerspring technology and their roll-out of the new organic version of the Royal Cloud was one of the biggest news items of 2007 in the organic bedding world.  Now that all of their organic mattresses that contain latex features 100% natural latex content (used to be 28% synthetic) and a new German Damask Cotton ticking, you are likely to not find a better innerspring mattress in North America.

Best Organic Sleep System – Overall:

Green Sleep Vimala Sleep System

Someone will really have to go to the drawing board big time to beat this bed.  From the Eurodowl foundation right up to the luxuriously soft cover, there just is no equal to this sleep system.

Best Organic Top-of-Bed Product:

Green Sleep Vasilo Mattress Pad

Made with rich Peruvian Organic Cotton and hand tailored, the Vasilo gives you extreme certified organic purity in a washable product.  Although designed to be paired with the Vimala Sleep System, the Vasilo can be used with any mattress, although putting it on a synthetic bed might be a crime.

Best Organic Pillow:

Natura Organic Contour Pillow

Unique in the fact that it is actually a wool pillow tied into the contour shape, Natura offers a different take on the type of pillow that was pioneered by the memory foam guys.  Pure, soft and versitle, this may be the most unique pillow on the market in any medium.  Not for everyone, of course, but this pillow is definitely going to make those that have given up on the contour craze take a new and fresh look.

Best Breakout Product:

Dreamsacks Bamboo Bedding

Although not organic, except that it is inherently organic due to the fact that it grows without fertilizers and pesticides, the 100% bamboo products from Dreamsacks of Ashland, Oregon certainly won over the public this past year with its softness and versatility in bedding – from sheets to blankets to coverlets.  Consumers spoke loudly this past holiday season – bamboo is a hit – and Dreamsacks does it better than anyone else.

Best New Organic Product:

Sleep & Beyond Merino Wool Comforter

USDA Certified Organic Merino Wool and an Organic Cotton Sateen so soft you just want to sink into it, these new comforters are sure to find a following – and fast.  The comforters from the majors can bow to this newcomer who I predict will carve a nice niche for itself on the sofas and beds of organic lovers across North America.  Currently only available in four sizes, expansion is likely.  Looking forward to seeing different fill weights and a Super-King size in the future(?)

Most Innovative Product:

Natura Washable Wool

Although there is no organic washable wool (any method of stripping lanolin from the fiber renders it non-organic), the natural process used by Natura on the New Zealand wool to render it washable translates to a slew of great natural bedding products.  Their Washable Wool Mattress Pad was so popular in 2007 that Natura actually ran out of the raw material for nearly 2 months in the fall, causing severe delays and shortages, making them impossible to find during the busy holiday shopping season.  Although the shortages still continue, the public spoke loudly in 2007 – washable wool is a hit!

So, that’s it.  I know some may disagree with my choices, but that’s what discussion forums are for.  Hope everyone had a great 2007 and it looks like 2008 is going to be another banner year for organics!

Stay healthy!