Awesome Sustainable & Cruelty-Free Blankets for a Cosy Winter

Is it cliched to associate fall and winter with cosy Hygge moods and thick, warm drinks? Is it just me who’s excited for the snuggles (with my cat and my own damn blanket; #singleAF)? Jumping into a warm bed after a warm shower, which comes after having frozen your fingertips and toes off outside – is one of the ultimate pleasures of life. To help you enjoy that singular pleasure, here’s a list of comfortable, sustainable, cruelty-free blankets and comforters that will do job admirably.

Check out Bearaby’s weighted fair trade blanket or Anchal’s handmade fair trade cotton quilts, if you don’t want to scroll through the entire post. The best option you could check out, though, is secondhand and thrifted blanket options – like the secondhand blankets on Etsy. Or, an upcycled option like the Luna Upcycled blanket on Made Trade.

Organic, Cruelty-Free Blankets?

Why cruelty-free?

Most bedding – particularly blankets and comforters – are made of or contain down, which is the softer under-feather of birds. Down is a great thermal insulator, and is prima facie a practical item to use in bedding. But the process of removing down feather from birds involves horrific cruelty. Fortunately, there are other alternatives to using animal products in blankets and comforters (including down alternatives)— and this list has some of them.

So, are goose down comforters cruelty free? No.

Are down comforters cruel to animals? Yes, usually. The down can be ethically obtained from the birds, but since no authority regulates the ethics of down procurement, it is a very grey area. Exceptions are quite rare.

Are down blankets vegan? If the down is from a bird, then no. If the down is artificial or faux down, it may be vegan.

Are wool duvets cruelty free? It depends on how the wool was obtained. Wool can be cruelty free, but you’d have to do some research before you can zero in on the cruelty-free wool brands.

Why organic?

Cotton is one of the crops that’s sprayed with a lot of pesticides, which inevitably will enter our systems down the supply chain. Organic cotton is grown without toxins or chemicals, so it’s best for your and your family’s health. Besides, organic crops are better for the environment as well – be it during the crop phase or during the disposal of the used products.

Why blankets and comforters? Cos it’s cold, ya’ll!

With that said, let’s go over some of the coziest, most stylish blankets to help us through this cold winter.

THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE DETAILS.

10 Gorgeous Organic, Cruelty-Free Blankets (and Comforters)

1. Waffle Bed Blanket | BOLL & BRANCH

Price: From $218

OEKO-TEX® certified | GOTS-certified | Fair Trade certified

Boll & Branch's signature waffle design blanket in grey

Check out the waffle pattern! This blanket is “plush yet springy with exceptional softness” and is a versatile, breathable addition to your bed. Bool & Branch offer a 30-day trial, and free shipping and returns.

2. Giovanni Faux Mink Throw | LUXOR LINENS

Price: From $72

100% polyester | reversible

This blanket has ink-drop design on one side, and solid color on the other side, so it’s up to you which one you want to look at. Luxor Linens has some amazing items!

3. Pebbled Handstitched Organic Quilt | Coyuchi

Price: $88 – $398

GOTS-certified

This quilt has 240 gsm organic cotton batting, and is inspired by the traditional kantha quilts of India, and made from 100% organic cotton grown and woven in India, .

4. Organic Improv Quilt | Kari Goodwin Quilts

Price: $300

handmade | hand-dyed colors | small business

handmade organic quilt in dark blue, pink, white and brown colors

Kari Goodwin makes all the quilts herself. This quilt is 100% organic cotton, bamboo and muslin quilt in a lovely pattern, made in her smoke-free, pet-free, in-home studio.

5. Montecito Blanket | POM POM AT HOME

Price: From $506

sustainably sourced | 100% natural linen | fair trade

View of a bedroom with Montecito blanket on the bed, and woman playing with her little dog

Made from 100% heavyweight handloom linen, this earthy blanket with an elegant lived-in look is perfect for the cool California winters.

THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE DETAILS.

6. Bamboo Duvet Comforter | CARILOHA

Price: From $279

organic bamboo | fair trade | CertiPur-US | fsc-certified

This comforter is made from organic bamboo. Cariloha advocates for bamboo as the best environmental choice. From their website: “Bamboo saves our soils, preserves our oceans, and cleans our atmosphere. It grows organically, renews itself almost immediately without replanting, prevents soil erosion, and reduces waste or indirectly replaces consumption of several critically scarce resources. And, it saves us, too.”

7. Organic Cotton Blanket | L.L. Bean

Price: From $158

100% organic cotton | GOTS Certified | OEKO-TEX® Certified

This blanket is woven in a tight weave in the classic herringbone pattern, and is tested for harmful substances. It’s not enough for a very cold night, but is perfect for Fall evenings.

8. Circle Round Quilt | PLOVER

Price: From $198

hand-quilted | gots-certified

grey colored Circle Round Quilt on a bed, with pillow in the same pattern

This 300 thread count organic cotton sateen quilt is one of Plover’s bestsellers, and for good reason. The soothing neutral pattern goes well with most colors and decor, and guarantees coziness in every season.

9. Weighted Blanket | NEST BEDDING

Price: From $149

gots-certified | fair trade | fsc certified

woman sitting on a couch with a grey weighted blanket covering her

Weighted blankets can help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, stress, sleep disorders, and short attention spans. This luxury weighted blanket from Nest is made from polyester jersey, woven polyester and bamboo rayon. It comes in a cotton tote carry bag.

10. Down Alternative Comforter | UNDER THE CANOPY

Price: $118 – $208

OEKO-TEX® certified | fsc-certified | cruelty-free | vegan

white down alternative comforter on a bed in a sunlit bedroom

Available in ‘All-season’, ‘Lightweight’ and ‘Heavyweight’ options, this down alternative comforter provides the warmth without the cruelty. The shell is made from 100% organic cotton and the fill is 100% GRS-certified recycled polyester.

THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE DETAILS.

So, that’s the shortlist of some organic, cruelty-free blankets and comforters to keep you warm and cosy all fall long, with the help of your eco-friendly electric heater!

Fair Trade Blankets – Brands to Try Out

Fair trade companies have responsible supply chain and labor practices. They source their materials sustainably, process them responsibly and in eco-friendly ways, and make sure their supply chains follow ethical principles. They also ensure their employees are given a fair wage, safe working conditions, and adequate health insurance. They support their community and view their actions in light of their effects on the environment, the communities and the planet.

If you’re looking to buy a fair trade blanket that’s sustainably made, you should check out these brands: