Eco-Tuesday: You Can Be Eco-friendly While You Sleep!

There are some pretty simple ways to make your home more eco-friendly that don't take much effort or time. Many people mistakenly believe that being eco-friendly is too time consuming or complicated and unfortunately don't even try to go green because of this misconception. Well here is an eco-freindly idea for our home that not only can be done save you time by keeping you healthy, but can be done in your sleep!

Here's the idea: Eco-friendly beds and bedding! That's right, you can purchase beds made from recycled and eco-friendly materials and all sorts of organic sheets and bedding. When it comes to selection, there are many options out there from hemp, organic cotton, and bamboo, sheets to bamboo beds, and more.

The eco-problem with conventional bedding, such as conventional mattresses is that they are often made of synthetic materials such as polyurethane foam which break down and release chemicals some of which are believed to be carcinogens. Other toxic chemicals found in mattresses are PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) and boric acid which also pose health risks. To learn more about the possible dangers, visit the naturalsleepstore.com.

In terms of sheets, many non-organic sheets are treated with a formaldehyde-based finish that reduces wrinkling. Formaldehyde is a cancer-causing chemical. Don't get me wrong- I'm not claiming that using conventional sheets will lead to cancer. But limiting your exposure to toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde (which is found all around us, such as in furniture) will definitely decrease your risks and help you lead a healthier life. Changing to organic sheets is one simple way to limit your exposure. Further, a lot of energy is needed and pollution is caused by chemical production so the less demand for these chemicals will eventually lead to less production and less toxic exposure for all.

Here are some great eco-friendly bedding products:

1) For eco-friendly mattresses, organic crib-mattresses, organic bedding, natural bed frames, check out thenaturalsleepstore.com. Plus, this site has a lot of information and links to articles about why organic bedding is good for you.

2) Amenityhome.com- Amenity custom makes the muir bed which is made from solid, reclaimed Douglas Fir and finished only with low VOC, water-based materials. It's available in walnut or natural color and is a bit on the pricey side- but built to last!

3) Target.com. Nowadays almost all big box retailers carry good quality organic sheet sets. Target has a nice selection of organic cotton sheets and these fantastic bamboo sheets.

4) Gaim.com- Fine quality organic bedding with many patterned and colored sheet sets.

5) Bed Bath and Beyond- Wide selection of organic bedding products including some great 100& organic cotton decorative pillows to compliment your new organic sheets.

Posted by Marcy Tate