Sustainable Saturday - 10 Tips for Getting to Green in the Bedroom

This week's Sustainable Saturday is the second part of a new Series called Getting to Green.  This Series will focus on easy, cost-effective ways to implement green ideas or concepts throughout your home and life. You can read the first part of this series here:  Sustainable Saturday - 10 Tips for Getting to Green in the Kitchen.

10 Tips for Getting to Green in the Bedroom

1.   Launder Sheets and pillowcases once a week to remove dust, body oil and dust mites that love to set up camp in your bed.  Sheets and pillow cases provide protection for both your mattress pad and keep the top covers (blankets, comforters, quilts, etc.) protected from your skin, oils, etc. Launder your bedding once a week to keep the dust, body oil and dust mites at bay. Another great tip is to pull back your top covers to allow the bed to air out (while you are in the shower) and then make your bed afterwards. This too will help to keep dust mites to a minimum.

If you are in the market for new sheets try to avoid labels such as “easy care” or “no iron”. Look for sheets that are made of earth-friendly materials like bamboo, hemp and organic cotton.

2.   Launder the Mattress Pad at least once a month.  Look for mattress pads that are made of earth-friendly materials like bamboo, hemp and organic cotton.

3.   Blankets - Top covers including blankets, comforters, quilts, etc. should be laundered every 3 to 4 months. Look for blankets that are made of earth-friendly materials like bamboo, hemp and organic cotton.

4.   Comforters - Top covers including blankets, comforters, quilts, etc. should be laundered every 3 to 4 months. 

5.   Vacuum the mattress itself to remove dust mites.  Mattresses because they are made from flammable material, are treated with fire retardants PBDE (poly-brominated diphenyl ether). Look for mattresses that do not contain toxic chemicals from fire retardants, foam or stain-resistant chemicals. Look for mattresses that are green with no toxic chemicals, latex mattresses or cover your mattress and pillows with protective covers. 

6.   Purchase Quality Furniture - If you are purchasing new furniture, look for furniture that is made of solid wood and is preferably FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified wood.  Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a non-profit organization devoted to encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests.

7.   Consider Hard Surface Flooring - If you have hard surface flooring underneath wall-to-wall carpet, consider removing the carpet to expose hard surface flooring such as hard wood floors.  If you are remodeling, consider replacing wall-to-wall carpet with hard surface flooring.  Carpet is full of all kinds of dust and other contaminants because it can NEVER be cleaned 100%. 

8.   Use Green Cleaning Products or make your own. 

9.   Promote Good Indoor Air Quality - Skip to air freshener in the bedroom (and everywhere else unless it's environmentally friendly product) and allow the room that you spend so much time sleeping in have excellent indoor air quality.  Remember to open a window even in the winter months to allow some fresh air.  If you have dry cleaning make sure you to allow to properly air out before placing in your bedroom closet.  

10.  Minimize clutter by donating unwanted or unused clothing and shoes to charity.

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