Create an Organic Bedroom

We spend up to 90% of our time indoors, and one-third of that time in our bedrooms sleeping. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside our home is more polluted than on a road or in an industrial area. Moreover, exposure to indoor allergens, chemicals and irritants cause asthma and some forms of cancer. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde used in permanent press sheets, mattresses, foam, plastics and building materials cause insomnia, coughing, headaches, nausea, nosebleeds and skin rashes. They are neurotoxins and carcinogens.

Toluene, Xylene, and petroleum distillates used in paints and stain removers are also suspected carcinogens. Carpet pads, foam for mattresses, chairs, and couches all contain harmful chemicals which have known to cause problems in prenatal and infant brain development and wreak havoc with thyroid hormones.

Now is the time to get started and create a healthier sleeping environment. It’s time to take control of your bedroom. These 10 steps will tame the toxic monsters in your bedroom so you can enjoy peaceful rest in an organic bedroom.

Replace your Mattress

You spend nearly one-third of your life on your mattress. Flame-retardants, petro-chemicals and other harmful chemicals are sprayed on most mass market mattresses, and these treatments give off gases harmful for health. As a healthy, organic bedroom alternative, you can choose a natural cotton mattress or organic cotton mattress. Cotton mattresses are very firm. You can always use a wool topper to soften the top and relieve pressure points.

Those who are not allergic to latex can go for a natural latex mattress. But before buying that, make sure the latex mattress you buy is at least 97% natural. Some latex mattress available in market are a 60/40 blend of natural and petrochemical-based materials. Latex mattresses are anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, dust-mite proof, and relieve pressure points as well. On a new organic mattress, you will get a more peaceful sleep and allow your body’s immune system to rejuvenate for the next day’s activities.

Get a Mattress Topper

If a new mattress is out of the budget right now, consider adding a pure wool or natural rubber topper to your mattress to put some distance between your body and the toxins. Encasing your mattress and pillows in organic cotton barrier cloths will protect your lungs from dust mite allergens and relieve eczema suffering from bedding-borne allergens.

Replace Your Pillows

An organic bedroom has several options for pillows beyond the polyester fiber-fill. Go for pillows made with untreated cotton or, even better, organic cotton. Buckwheat hull pillows provide a great neck support. Wool works best moisture wicking. Natural rubber having 97% natural latex is also an option.

Switch to Organic Bedding

With your bed gone organic, choose sheets, blankets, and duvet covers made with untreated or organic cotton or wool. You can get many beautiful colors in Organic cotton now a days.

Go for a Natural Fiber Duvet

Complete your organic bedroom with a new comforter to top the bed. Select a wool comforter for warmth and superior moisture-wicking properties and they are light weight as well. Down comforters draw moisture in but don’t dry out quickly, so they can produce molds that may irritate the body.

With the bed organic, it is time to turn your attention to the rest of the organic bedroom.

Get an Air Purifier with HEPA Filtration

HEPA means “High Efficiency Particulate Air,” and HEPA filters capture 99.97% of particles floating around your bedroom. You can install special furnace filters designed to remove 90% or more of allergens and particles.

Let the Air In

Keep your windows open and let recycle the air regularly. Use a window guard to stops pollen, dust, and dirt particles from entering your room. Clean floors especially under the bed, using fresh mop heads.

Switch the Window Treatments

Many common commercially available window treatments are themselves treated with chemicals that may outgas VOCs. Shade the windows in your organic bedroom with fabric shades or untreated wood blinds instead of treated draperies or shades. Check out this GreenDivaMom article for tips on using nature to heat and cool your organic bedroom.

Shun VOCs

Next time you get your bedroom painted, use low- or no-VOC paints. An interesting organic bedroom alternative is hemp wall upholstery that can be stapled into place without using adhesives.

Tear Out the Carpet

Don’t forget the floor of your organic bedroom. Old carpet is a breeding ground for dust mites. Replace carpet with wood flooring or ceramic tiles. You can choose a recycled linoleum also.

Source-http://www.greendivamom.com/author/savneet/