The Green Bedroom and How to Get One Yourself…
By: Roland

1. Your Mattress
All mattresses sold in the U.S. are required to meet tough fire resistance tests. And, while this may make you sleep easier at night, think about this…fire retardants are usually made from boric acid and antimony. These both have been identified as carcinogens. You should remember this next time you are in the market for a new bed. There are alternatives that are much greener. Materials to look for, are wool, natural latex and melamine. These materials tend to be stain resistant and water repellent. They do cost a bit more, but you will sleep even better. Another alternative, if you aren’t in the market at this time, is a hypo-allergenic mattress cover.

2. Your Furnishings
Good furnishings are not the mahogony and other fine hardwoods. These are about 90% illegally harvested near the equator. They’ve not only been harvested illegally, they have no replanting programs. This is very detrimental to our rainforests. But, materials such as MDF (medium-density-fiberboard), particle board and many finishes will off-gas VOCs. These cause poor indoor air quality and are associated with many harsh health issues. Look for eco-friendly, harvested solid woods that use low-VOC finishes. (volitile-organic-compounds)

3. Your Linens
Cotton is baaad. Organically grown cotton is goood. Normally grown cotton is the most heavily sprayed crop. Sprayed with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. While you don’t have to worry about coming in contact with hazardous chemicals, the area where they are grown is inundated with them and the groundwater, rivers and streams suffer. Organic cotton, natural latex and buckwheat are materials to look for in your bedroom linens department.

4.Your Warmth and Comfort
At night when it’s cool, turn that thermostat down and throw an extra blanket on the bed. Do a little snuggling and you can drop that needle down even further! If you can, purchase a programmable thermostat. This way, you won’t wake up to a chilly house in the morning.

5. Your Lighting
First, replace all the bulbs, rest of house included, with CFLs (compact-flourescent-lightbulbs). Now, most people burn parafin candles for cozy, romantic soft lighting. But, did you know that the soot they emit is damaging to your lungs and stain walls and ceiling over time. If you want dimly light up the bedroom, or any room for that matter, consider purchasing beeswax or soy candles. They emit no smoke, soot or toxins. Try to find candles that are made with essential oils and that have wicks containing no metals.