Hemp is the best-kept secret in bedding – these sheets are perfect for hot sleepers and eco-conscious shoppers

The Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Set changed my life. I mean it. I've been searching for an eco-friendly sheet set that met my needs as a hot sleeper with sensitive skin, and I've finally found it. 

It was my aunt that first put me onto hemp sheets. I liked the look and feel of linen sheets, but I wanted to explore more sustainable options. She recommended hemp, which has been her bedding material of choice for years now: hemp can flourish with very little water and zero pesticides, and improve soil health as it grows. When Naturalmat announced their new Organic Hemp bed Linen Set, I knew I had to try it. 

As H&G's resident sleep writer, I've been lucky enough to sample some of the world's best bed sheets. I can spot the difference between all the major bed sheet types and identify which materials might be suitable for every sort of sleeper. I've tried luxury linen, silky sateen, and breathable bamboo, but I can confirm that hemp sheets are the best bet for hot sleepers and eco-conscious shoppers who like a bit of texture. 

Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Set review

I tested the Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Set for more than a month as the weather turned from harsh winter to the start of spring. I found that these hemp sheets were excellent thermoregulators and more than able to withstand the wear and tear of nightly use. Sure, they get a little wrinkled, but that's part of the charm. 

Organic Hemp Bed Linen Set | $415 at Naturalmat
For your money, you'll get a fitted sheet, a duvet cover, and two pillowcases, handcrafted in Portugal from GOTS-certified organic hemp.

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Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Set Specifications

Who would the Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Set suit?

• Eco-conscious shoppers: hemp is one of the most sustainable materials in the bedding business. These fibers are fighters, able to grow and thrive with little water and zero pesticides. Hemp grows deep roots in hard ground and returns nutrients to the earth to improve soil health. Naturalmat uses GOTS-certified organic hemp, which means these sheets are made by farmers and weavers who are paid and treated fairly.
• Hot sleepers: hemp fibers are totally hollow, which optimizes airflow and thermoregulation. Hemp sheets should keep you cool for the summer and warm in the winter, working with your natural body temperature. If you want to sleep cool, but you're looking for something slightly softer, I recommend the Saatva Percale Sheet Set.

• Sensitive sleepers: hemp is naturally hypoallergenic. While these sheets have a coarser texture than, say, cotton sateen, they should still feel soft against your skin.
• Anyone who doesn't mind a few wrinkles: like all natural fibers, hemp is prone to wrinkling. I'd encourage you to embrace the creases and crinkles that come with effortless bedding, but you could always give your sheets a onceover with a cool iron.
• Minimalists: the Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Set only comes in one shade. Luckily, ecru is a true neutral that should complement every bedroom color palette. If you're shopping for bright, bold bed sheets, you should skip Naturalmat in favor of the Magic Linen Sheet Set, which comes in more than 20 jewel tones.

What's it like to sleep on the Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Set?

If you haven't got the idea already, I'm seriously obsessed with the Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Collection. If you suffer from night sweats or hot flashes, or you simply run a little hot, you could learn how to sleep better with a set of the best hemp sheets. 

Straight away, I enjoyed the touchable texture of hemp. I don't like slipping around on cheap synthetic sheets, so I liked the feeling of natural fibers. The creases and crinkles create tonal highs and lows for a rustic, rumpled bedspread. It's just the thing for busy sleepers who can only spare a few seconds to make the bed. 

A few practical points: I appreciated the all-around elastic on the Naturalmat Organic Hemp Fitted Sheet, which gets a good grip on your mattress and makes it that much easier to make a bed the right way. I tested the Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Collection right after a lovely, if a little high-maintenance, Cozy Earth Silk Pillow, and I valued how much easier it is to take care of hemp. These sheets can go straight in the washing machine and tumble dryer, as long as you use a sensible heat setting, and you're willing to embrace the rustic look of wrinkles. 

Now, I'm a new convert to hemp sheets, but I recognize that this sheet set won't suit everyone. If you're keen to shop sustainably, but you're looking for something softer, I recommend the Cozy Earth bedding bundle, made from premium bamboo viscose. Hot sleepers working with a tighter budget could consider the best Amazon cooling sheets for sweat-free sleep. If you tend to toss and turn in the night, and you're looking for sheets that stay on the bed, I recommend the Peri Lauren Interiors Bamboo Sheet Set. 

How does the Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Set rate online?

The Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Collection only launched last month, so it's still very new to the market. That might explain why I haven't been able to find any verified customer reviews: it takes a few weeks to buy your sheets and break them in before you should even think about writing a review. I'll keep you updated as and when the ratings roll in. 

Should I buy the Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Set?

The Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Collection retails for $415 for a Queen. Although you might be able to buy it for less in the bedding sales, that's still an awful lot of money to spend on a sheet set. If you're working with a tighter budget, but you're still keen to shop sustainably, I'd encourage you to try the Ettitude Signature Sateen Sheet Set, instead. Made from bamboo lyocell, this sheet set boasts excellent eco-credentials for less than half the price of the Naturalmat Organic Hemp Bed Linen Collection. 

Still, I can't emphasize this enough − these are the best bed sheets I've ever tested. I can't stop touching them, which might sound a little strange, but you'll understand once you run your hands across those hemp threads: softer than linen, with more structure than cotton. 

How we test bed linen

We put a lot of thought into how we test bed sheets. It's more than a matter of sleeping on the job. Our experts test sheets for weeks, if not months, to monitor their performance over time and assess how well they withstand the wear and tear of nightly use and a few cycles in the washing machine. 

We assess each sheet set against the same criteria: comfort; quality of construction; cooling properties; and the all-important price. We expect certain sorts of results from different bed sheet types. I'd expect hemp sheets to feel coarser than cotton percale, yet not as rough as French flax linen. Hemp isn't quite as cooling as bamboo or eucalyptus, but it's a sight better than polyester, which is the worst bed sheet material for heat retention. Given the time and effort that goes into making them, I'd expect organic hemp sheets to be fairly expensive. 

Where possible, we cross-check our findings against verified customer reviews to show you a range of experiences from different styles of sleepers. We compare all of our results against the price of the sheet set to help you determine value for money.