I’m a bedding tester — and these are my top sustainable dorm room picks for eco-conscious shoppers

Birch organic latex mattress topper on the bed with a price drop TG badge

(Image credit: Birch)

No matter the weather, bedding made from natural and naturally-derived materials is going to help you get a cool and comfortable sleep. So whether you’re a student gearing up for the new academic year (or a parent of one), investing in environmentally-friendly fabrics is always a clever choice. And though the costs of raw materials and production can make some quite pricey, current discounts like up to 49% off Downstoria Feather Down Pillows on Amazon will help you sleep well for less.

What are some natural bedding materials or blends you should consider? We suggest the likes of cotton, linen, hemp and bamboo for bed sheets and protectors, and latex or down-blend fill for pillows and toppers. Need a detailed step-by-step guide? Refer to our article on sustainable bedding materials to know more.

If you’re planning to upgrade your dorm-room setup to resemble your cozy bed back home, explore our back to school mattress deals which we keep updated with the top discounts on everything you'll need for that. But first, here are our breathable bedding picks for cool sleep night after night…

1. Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper: twin XL from $385.33 from $281.30 at Birch
In our tester's own words, the Birch Organic Mattress Topper delivers a "classic springy feel" with "gentle contouring" (similar to some of our best mattress toppers). It's an ideal addition if you're side or back sleeper who wants an eco-friendly organic topper to make your dorm mattress more comfy (read more about its sustainable certifications in our Birch Plush Organic Mattress Topper review). This 2" latex topper with an organic cotton cover is available in six sizes (twin-Cal King) and you can now get 27% off when using the code: TOMS27. That means a twin XL is now $281.30 down from $385.33. You'll also get a 100-night sleep trial, 10-year warranty and free shipping.

Our review: ★★★★
User score: ★★★★½ (Over 1,050 reviews)

2. Sijo Airyweight Eucalyptus Mattress Protector: twin XL was $60 now $51 at Sijo
The Sijo Airyweight features in our best mattress protector guide thanks to its 100% waterproofing, stain resistance and breathability, making it a must-have if you've invested in one of the best mattresses and want to to keep it in top condition. Eco-conscious shoppers will love that it is crafted from eucalyptus-derived Tencel-Lyocell fabric, known for its softness and breathability, as well as recycled polyester. We found it to be consistently cooling and comfortable during our in-house tests (read our full Sijo Airyweight Eucalyptus Mattress Protector review to know more). You can find it at 15% off with code WELCOME15 (auto-applied) which drops the price of a twin XL from $60 to $51. Our only gripes are that it does not come with a sleep trial or warranty.

Our review: ★★★★½
User score: ★★★★★ (100+ reviews)

3. Downstoria Feather Down Pillow: queen-size pillow was $32.99 now $22.99 at Amazon
Natural down pillows can come with a hefty price tag, but they offer excellent comfort and support (find out more in our best pillows guide). The Downstoria pillows on Amazon currently come with great discounts, and feature two layers of down feathers in a unique three-layer build, which is designed for all sleeping positions. However, keep in mind that this is not a fully organic option since the top cover is made from a 430 thread count fabric blend of 60% cotton and 40% polyester and the composition of the Airyfil material used in the middle layer isn't specified. Right now, a two pack of queen pillows has 49% off, bringing the price down from $89.99 to $45.99, while a single queen-size pillow has 30% off, making it $22.99 (was $32.99) to.

User score: ★★★★½ (100+ reviews)

4. California Design Den Natural 100% Cotton sheets: twin XL was $39.99 now $27.99 at Amazon
A sleep setup is incomplete without breathable sheets, and this cotton set from California Design Den store is OEKO-TEX standard certified. Each set includes a flat sheet, a fitted sheet (that can fit mattresses up to 12 inches tall) and a standard-sized pillowcase. The cotton features a sateen weave, which translates to a soft-to-touch feel and the sets are available in over 15 colors. There are various discounts depending on the color and size, but we spotted 30% off a twin XL sheet set in seafoam, bringing the price down to $27.99 (was $39.99).

User score: ★★★★½ (Over 8K reviews)

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Becky is a Sleep Staff Writer at Tom’s Guide covering all things sleep-related including product reviews, research studies, news and explainers. She works on specialist bedding content and is responsible for buyer’s guides like the best pillows for all sleepers and best mattress protectors focusing on popular brands such as Tempur-Pedic, Avocado, Coop Home Goods and more. Becky is a PPA accredited journalist who is keen to explore the intricacies of sleep, its effects on skincare, mental wellbeing and work performance. While not thinking of sleep, she can be seen reading in cosy bookshops or learning about global food culture.

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