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Humans dream in color, so why not make your dreams green?

01.10.2006

Submitted by idealbite on Tue, 01/10/2006 - 6:00pm.
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).

Cocktail Fact

Louis XIV was inordinately fond of staying in bed, often holding court in the royal bedroom.

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.

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AnonymousLM  on February 27, 2009 at 07:29 AM 1
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eco man  on April 08, 2009 at 06:21 PM 2
Check Essentia out too. World's only natural memory foam manufacturers. We're New ;-) - Part of 1% for the planet. - Green America Certified. - Biodegradable mattresses.
mattress chicago  on July 31, 2009 at 02:44 PM 3
Just to give you a heads up, Latex mattresses do come from Rubber trees, but they are not all natural, even if they claim to be. They are treated and combined with similar urethane type chemicals and foaming agents to make the final product, as are conventional foam and memory foam mattresses.
gel mattress  on August 18, 2009 at 09:09 PM 4
Does anyone know about the Intellibed gel mattress system? Is this an eco type solution or is it just as bad as most of the mattresses out there?
wdf  on November 04, 2009 at 12:56 AM 5
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