There are all kinds of reasons for creating an eco-friendly bedroom. If you suffer from allergies, a natural bedroom free from chemicals can bring relief and a healthier sleep. Maybe you often wake up with a headache, or with an overall ill feeling. Your body is absorbing toxins while you sleep, whether you know it or not.
From interior paints to mattress materials, sleeping in a conventional bedroom has the potential to harm your health. So let’s look at some changes you can make to your bedroom for a healthier sleep.
Organic Bedding
A great many chemicals go into the manufacture of conventional bedding. Synthetic foam, rubber, plastic, flame retardants, and fill fibers are just some of the artificial materials that compose the average mattress and box springs.
One of the best changes you can make toward getting a healthier sleep is to invest in an organic, natural mattress and box springs. These mattresses are made with natural rubber from the sap of rubber trees, wool which is naturally flame retardant and moisture absorbent, and organic cotton, flax, muslin and other natural fibers.
Don’t forget the sheets, pillows and blankets. Go for organic cotton or muslin for your sheets and pillow cases. Use pillows that have natural fillings such as wool, buckwheat hulls, or natural latex. Ditch the electric blanket – these cozy covers emit electromagnetic fields which have even been associated with the development of cancer. Instead, pull up a comforter filled with insulating wool covered with organic cotton or muslin.
One last word on bedding – color. Avoid fabrics that are dyed using artificial pigments that can cause allergic symptoms in some individuals. Choose fabrics that are un-dyed or colored with vegetable-based/natural dyes.
Green Paints
No, you don’t have to paint your bedroom green – unless you’d like to! Painting your bedroom with eco-friendly, green paints is the way to go for healthier air in your bedroom. Eco-friendly paints are low (or totally lacking) in VOCs, volatile organic compounds. These chemicals have been known to cause respiratory problems and headaches. Also, eco-friendly paints are made with natural pigments and are usually quite dense in color, meaning you’ll need fewer coats.
Air Circulation
You will certainly want to avoid a stuffy bedroom. When weather permits, sleep with your windows open slightly to allow fresh air in. Instead of an overhead light, install a ceiling fan (which usually has lights as well). This will keep you cool in the summer and circulate the air, saving energy costs for you.
Air Purifier
Clean air is healthy air, and for allergy sufferers or anyone else wanting to improve his or her sleep, a quality air purifier is a good investment. You will want to close windows when running it, however, or else the air purifier will simply draw air in from outside and send it back out again.
A compromise is to get a window air purifier. This combines the concept of the window screen with the air purifier, and fits into an open window. The outside air that enters your bedroom is automatically purified as it passes through the filter.
Green Sleepwear
Remember your sleepwear when you think about a healthier sleep. Like bedding, pajamas and nightgowns/shirts can contain synthetic fire retardants, dyes, or pesticide residue. Look for organic cotton, wool, or other natural materials for your sleepwear.
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