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BANG FOR THE BITE
These heavenly beds come with an out-of-this-world price tag. But, since you spend the equivalent of 100 days each year in bed, this may be a good area to go organic and chemical-free.
COCKTAIL FACT
Louis XIV was inordinately fond of staying in bed, often holding court in the royal bedroom.
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home › tip library › Eco Mattresses
Humans dream in color, so why not make your dreams green?
The Bite
From chemical flame-retardants, pesticides and dyes to polyurethane foam and steel coils, the composition of the standard mattress is enough to give you nightmares. If your old bed is nearing the end of its lifecycle, consider replacing it with one made from healthy and sustainable materials.The Benefits
- Sleep fire-safe and toxin-free. A typical mattress is loaded with chemical flame-retardants that are reaching high levels in the environment and people’s bodies, and thought to cause problems with brain development and reproduction. Opt for naturally fire-resistant wool or get a doctor’s prescription for an untreated cotton mattress.
- Organic cotton and wool keep pesticides out of your bed. Cotton crops account for as much as 25% of the world’s insecticide use, and 7 of the top 15 pesticides used on cotton are classified as possible or probable human carcinogens.
- Mattresses made of wool and latex are naturally resistant to dust mites—great news for those with allergies.
- Natural beds often last longer than standard mattresses, so you’ll have many years of sweet dreams!
Personally Speaking
Neither of us can afford an organic mattress at the moment, but maybe we will get Cricket an organic cotton doggie bed as a consolation prize.Wanna Try?
- Lifekind – Natural latex, organic cotton innerspring, and combination mattresses. Their Eco-Factory™ is the only third-party-certified organic mattress manufacturing facility in North America. (Call or email for prices).
- Shepherd’s Dream – All-wool mattresses and latex-padded wood slat frames (mattresses $650-1450; frames $800-1200).
- Natural Sleep Solution – Completely organic mattress with 94% natural latex foam mattress, organic unbleached cotton cover, organic wool mattress pad and untreated maple wood frame ($1600-3300).
- White Lotus Futons – All-cotton futon pads from a family-run company that is powered by 100% wind energy ($200 - $280).
Jan 10,2006
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If you thought you were sleeping alone tonight, think again.
This topic is so gross I can hardly write about it. Every since Mrs. Philips showed us that film on bed bugs in 6th grade science class, I haven't slept the same.
On the one hand, no one has ever died from bed bugs, right? On the other, thinking about the millions of microscopic bugs that we sleep with each night is enough to give anyone night tremors.
So does organic bedding help? Here is what I found:
- Discourage growth of mold and mildew on mattress - get wool lined mattress topper which helps wick moisture away
- Want a mattress topper that has a dust-mite repellent core? Natural latex contains an antibacterial substance that is a natural dust-mite repellent.
I am all over it. When I find an extra $435 lying around. Until then, I am going sleep in the shower I think.
Off to wash the sheets with warm water and 7th Generation detergent... damn ye bud bugs!
- Jen
Biter Comments...
I got a wool topper (works like a mattress pad), a wool pillow, and a wool duvet for very reasonable prices which included shipping from New Zealand at:
www.nznature.co.nz/
*sigh* I keep looking for the perfect bed...the one I grew up sleeping in. We lived in Egypt when I was growing up, and had these antique beds. The "mattress" was essentially a huge bag of cotton on top of a firm stuffed platform (Maybe horsehair stuffing? very firm) The mattress would conform to your shape (I'm a side sleeper).
Anyone got thoughts on how to replicate a bed like that?
Do you have to be concerned about latex allergy with any of these products? My husband is an allergist and we see some pretty sick people with allergies to latex. Is this different?
Gah!
I live in Egypt, I have one of those funky cotton mattresses, and recently started getting bites... At first I though spiders, but I haven't actually seen any of those since I've been here, and one of my friends told me that I probably got mites in my clothes from taking public transport and then they got in my bed...
Anyone know how I can get rid of the bugs? I've tried the bomb thing, and it didn't work...
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: lara | January 10, 2006 at 05:15 PM