We all hear about the organic trends that are taking the world by storm, yet when it comes to implementing them in our lives and specifically in our homes, we simply don’t know where to begin. Considering we spend about a third of our lives sleeping, the bedroom is the ideal room to start. So, in with the organic, out with the toxic! Here’s some inspiration to guide you through and encourage you to make the change.
Choose Your Bed Sheets Wisely
We’ve all gone through sleepless nights at some point in our lives, but what we don’t always realise is bedding could be the main culprit. Manmade fabrics, like polyester, though cheap aren’t the best option for quality sleep because they trap the moisture instead of absorbing it and as a result make for hot sweaty nights.
Not to mention, when heated, polyester and other synthetic fabrics release toxins as in the case with the dangerous formaldehyde which is a known carcinogen. I don’t have to say they’re particularly bad for people with sensitive skin, right? This calls for making the switch with high-quality organic bed sheet sets – the kind that would give you the “luxurious resort” feel in your bedroom.
Source: nymag.com
If you want to ensure what you invest in is truly organic like bamboo bedding, look for Oeko-Tex certification as it indicates there are no chemicals used in the production of the sheets, quilts and pillowcases. Some of the properties that make 100% organic bamboo such a desirable choice for a bedroom sanctuary are sustainability, resistance to wear and tear even after long use, and thermo-regulation which means it’s an ideal fabric for year-round use.
I also can’t forget to mention, bamboo sheets are hypoallergenic, making them suitable for everyone including people with allergies and sensitive skin. As they’re moisture-wicking, they prevent hot sweaty nights, and provide a luxuriously smooth and soft feel that sweet dreams are made of!
Be Prudent With the Mattress, Mattress Topper and Pillows
Same as with the organic bed sheet sets, it’s needless to point out what you sleep on makes a world of difference. In this sense, natural fabrics are advisable for these three as well. Instead of focusing only on the comfort and support when choosing a mattress, you ought to pay attention to the fabrics too, preferably opting for natural choices such as cotton, linen or natural latex if you want insulation and moisture absorption.
In the case with toppers, a 100% natural wool model dressed in a pure cotton cover is a good combination. As for healthy pillows, you can buy organic bamboo memory foam, wool, cotton or latex.
Source: pillowtalk.com.au
Eliminate Clutter
Okay, there have been studies that focused on the effect of messy rooms on the quality of sleep and the results indicate there might be more to clutter and restless nights than it seems. Translation: if you want to catch all the z’s, clear clutter from the bedroom.
Besides neatly storing your belongings, and removing anything that shouldn’t be part of your sleep oasis, reducing the number of furniture could be of help considering it would allow you to make better use of the space. In addition, it’s a solution for easy cleaning too as you won’t need to dust and vacuum that often. A dust-free bedroom is beneficial for everyone, not just people suffering from dust allergies and asthma.
Stay Away from VOCs
The toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), i.e. chemicals, are the main components of indoor air pollution and they’re all around us. Some of the most common ones present in the bedroom are toluene and benzene found in furniture paint and things like blockout curtains, formaldehyde in floor lacquers, acetone in wallpapers, butanal in burning candles and ethanol in laundry detergents.
You can avoid such toxins by being mindful with the choices you make. In other words, buy furniture with natural paints instead and forget about the VOC paint options. Moreover, the same goes for the floor, so you could benefit from a low VOCs option like the engineered oak flooring. Also, you can avoid PVC and chlorine-based coated wallpapers by buying water-based ink alternatives instead.
Source: prosperitycandle.com
If you’re a fan of candlelight and the relaxing benefits it provides, then it might be time to reconsider your purchases and benefit from getting yourself a soy candle. Lastly, the traditional laundry detergent you’d use to wash your bamboo bed sheets and other fabrics should be substituted with a green one. Detergents based on a plant formula are free of artificial colours and fragrances, phthalates, chlorine, and formaldehyde.
In case you still aren’t sure that you’ve completely eliminated VOCs from your bedroom after these alterations, you could invest in an air purifier or get yourself an air-purifying plant.
Stay Away from EMFs
You might like to watch some show before bedtime, check your social networks and read the last news for the day, but electronics such as TVs, laptops, mobile phones emit light and work with electromagnetic frequencies known to interfere with the quality of sleep. If you simply can’t keep them away from your bedroom, at least make sure they’re within two-metre distance from you and the bed while you sleep.
