Go Eco Friendly In The Bedroom: 7 Ways To Be Sustainable
Green is more than just a color. And when green and clean techniques are applied to your home you are doing more than simply expressing your preference for healthy living. Intentionally choosing to be eco-friendly is a celebration of being good stewards of the environment, all while passing down values of sustainability to the next generation.
Since we spend approximately a third of our lives asleep, applying these techniques to your bedroom is a great place to start to create a healthy, comfortable sleeping area. Most bedrooms are used for much more than sleeping as well, and you should surrounding yourself with choices you can be proud of.
Not sure where to get started? Use the following tips to freshen up your sleeping space with simple, easy, and sustainable choices:
1. Paint
When painting (or repainting) your room, opt for a low or zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint choices. These have become more widely available in brand names and in any color you can imagine. When using these products you can rest assured that you are not breathing in any toxic chemical released into the air and environment.
2. Essential Oils
Instead of using aerosol room sprays, choose to diffuse essential oils. These have become more popular over the last few years with designer diffusers being sold by almost every major outlet to match your decor. Look to buy trusted, pure grade oils for both long lasting scent release, and health benefits. Many oils are known for their stimulating properties when used topically, internally, and diffused into the air.
Since they are plant based oils they are environmentally friendly as well. Make sure to do your research pertaining to the oils you are interested in to assure their overall uses and safety since some should not be used in certain manners.
3. Organic Mattresses
With technological advances, the mattress industry has been able to produce products from a variety of materials to assure you a comfortable, and affordable night’s rest. Foams and fabrics certified against chemical use and vapors are more widely available, and new fibers have quickly made an appearance in the market.
Bamboo, cottons, wool, plant oil based foams, and latex have been more widely leaned upon recently in mattress construction. To start your search for the perfect organic mattress, check out the reviews at The Sleep Judge, an unbiased review site to point you in the right direction.
4. Organic Bedding
Along with organic mattresses, you also have a wide selection of organic bedding to choose from. Sheets, pillows, and blankets are all offered in natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, and wool that are not grown with fertilizer and pesticides. In fact, studies have found that people who sleep on wool get a deeper, and more restful sleep since it helps to regulate body temperature and wicks away moisture.
5. Add Greenery
One of the simplest things you can do to improve your green dreams is add it to your decor. Green plants help filter air and also enhance your mood. Plants absorb gases through their leaves and roots, and help filter out harmful VOC’s that are likely being emitted from much of what surrounds you at home. Fabrics, plastic, and even cosmetics can emit VOC’s and low levels, but plants will help get rid of them, and get rid of them fast.
There are a few choices that do this better than others, so be sure to do your homework concerning which plants not only beautify your space, but also filter your air. Plus, they brighten up your living area and make people happy!
6. LED Lighting
LED lighting is another product that has recently grown in popularity. Despite being slightly more expensive than traditional bulbs, they use less energy and last longer, making them an affordable choice in the long run.
Environmentally they only emit light in one direction rather than in all planes, making them more effective, and cost efficient. This also reduces light pollution and leaves a much smaller eco footprint overall. Especially since not as many will make their way into landfills.
7. Lower Your Thermostat in Winter, Open Windows in Summer
Sleeping cool is a seriously fantastic way to reap both health and environmental benefits. Not only does it support a good night’s sleep to keep your temps between 60 and 67 degrees fahrenheit, but it also will save you some cash in the long run. By turning down your thermostat in winter and opening your windows in summer each evening, you avoid further use of non-renewable energy sources.
Of course you need to keep your house warm and cool depending on the season, but you can certainly pay closer attention to the little steps you can take that might make a big difference (especially on your electric bill) while you sleep each night.
Ready to Get Started?
As you can see it doesn’t take much to start applying some simple things to help make your bedroom a bit more eco-friendly. Temperature control, plant additions, and lighting are all inexpensive ways to start reducing your environmental footprint immediately. And with time adding in new bedding choices, paint, or even a mattress can make an even bigger impact.
The best ways to start sustainable consciousness is to do so in ways that you can manage and control. The above steps are easy enough to attain in a bedroom, and some can even begin to be applied to other parts in your house. Taking it one room at a time keeps it manageable and well within any budget you may have.
About the Author Staff Writer
Our writers come from all over the world, but one thing unites them - their passion for sustainability.