How to Create a Nontoxic Bed

The average adult spends 7 to 8 hours in bed, surrounded by synthetic fibers, plastics, chemicals and pesticides. An organic and nontoxic bed creates a healthy and environmentally friendly bedroom so you can sleep peacefully and safely.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Organic, nontoxic mattress
• Nontoxic bed frame
• Organic wool mattress topper or puddle pad (or mattress pad with wool fill)
• Organic cotton mattress pad
• Organic cotton sheets and pillowcases
• Organic, nontoxic natural fiber pillows
• Organic, nontoxic natural fiber blanket or comforter

1. Purchase an organic mattress. For best results, get a mattress with several layers of natural latex rubber with varied firmness, and a wool and organic cotton upper layer for comfort and natural waterproofing.

2. Find a nontoxic bed frame. Look for unfinished woods or wood treated with natural waxes and oils. Verify that the wax and oil contain no petroleum or synthetic chemicals.

3. Choose an organic wool mattress topper. This additional moisture-absorbent and naturally antibacterial layer protects the new mattress and provides exceptional ability for air to circulate through the materials.

4. Use an organic cotton mattress pad. Ensure the pad contains only 100 percent pure cotton. Some mattress pads have polyester filling.

5. Buy organic sheets. Organic sheets now come in affordable sheet sets in many major retailers.

6. Get 100 percent cotton or wool filled pillows. Some environmentally friendly companies make natural latex pillows for extra support.

7. Use organic cotton or wool blankets, or a comforter filled and covered with organic natural fibers. Avoid synthetic down fill.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of buying a mattress topper and pad separately, you can also purchase a mattress pad with an organic cotton outer layer and an organic wool filling.
• Don't buy a used or recycled bed, mattress and bedding, as potential hazards such as bed bugs, mites and various toxins can hide inside these. Many eco-friendly materials, like natural latex rubber mattresses, repel these pests.

Resources

• Pure Rest Organics for organic and non-toxic mattresses bed supplies
• LifeKind for organic and natural mattresses, bedding and resources

[sandrabegly]

on 9/19/2008 Is there any way to make a non organic bed less toxic? I would love to go out a buy all the things you list but cannot afford to.