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Your bedroom is your sanctuary, and building your sanctuary requires you to make healthy and thoughtful choices.. If you are going to detox your home, your bedroom should be the top of you list. We spend 1/3 of our lives asleep. During sleep, we do most of our healing and "cleanup", clearing the brain of toxic metabolic byproducts. This is why it is so important to have a safe, non-toxic bedroom. The products we choose to to bring into our homes make an impact on our quality of life whether we know it or not.
If we are breathing in toxins while sleeping, then we are not giving our body the chance to detox and heal. So what is toxic in our bedrooms?
Mattress
Your mattress may very well be the most toxic item in your bedroom right now. Many mattresses are made from a variety of materials, many of which off-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds) for years. VOCs have been linked to respiratory conditions like asthma, in both adults and children. Polyurethane foam contains chemicals like toluene, benzene, and formaldehyde- all of which are carcinogens.
Until recently, mattresses and other upholstered furnishings were required by law to contain flame retardant chemicals. Flame retardants are linked to hormone disruption, hyperactivity, lowered IQ, fertility issues, thyroid disease, and cancer.. Since the new law does not ban the use of flame retardants, it is difficult to know which company's use them and which do not. These chemical compounds become brittle with age and will continue to shed for as long as the mattress exists.
Certified Organic- Look for a company that is certified by Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and use organic materials. Both Coyuchi and Avocado Green have great organic options. If you recently bought a mattress and do not want to replace your existing mattress, they also sell mattress pads and mattress toppers,
Sheets
Sheets that are labeled "wrinkle free" are finished with a chemical process that includes formaldehyde, which in the short term can lead to skin irritation and respiratory problems. In the long term has been linked to cancer, and is listed as a known carcinogen by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) . Cotton is the one of the most highly sprayed crops, so organic is the only way to avoid these pesticides. Again Coyuchi has great options for 100% organic cotton sheets. I would also recommend Pact, and avocado green.
Rugs and Curtains
Rugs and Curtains can also be treated and sprayed with flame retardant (list of health concerns under mattress heading). If you have curtains or an area rug in your bedroom, look for one made of natural, organic fabrics.
Duvet Cover
When shopping for all bedding, look for products made from natural fabrics like organic cotton and wool that are free of harmful chemicals. I have seen some 100% organic options from West Elm and Coyuchi.
Pillows
Pillows can also be made out of polyurethane foam that's coated in flame retardants (see above under mattress heading for health concerns related to flame retardants). Coyuchi and Avocado Green have some great options.
Paint
The wrong kind of paint can introduce unwanted and unwelcome toxins into any room in your home. Most paints contain VOC (volatile organic compounds). The primary complaint with VOC's are respiratory issues, dizziness, headaches, visual disorders, and other symptoms. The EPA has listed paints and finishes as leading causes of its decision to list indoor air quality as one of the top "5 hazards to human health.
Always opt for low/no VOC paint. Non-toxic paints reduces toxins inside the home and improves overall air quality. We have used Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore in the past, both are low/no VOC.
Candles
Aromatherapy candles made of paraffin - a petroleum byproduct- release carcinogenic soot when burned. The soot can cause respiratory problems and will aggravate conditions like asthma, lung, or heart problems. Aromatherapy candles that are scented with synthetic oils release microscopic particles that can cause cancer and other health problems when inhaled.
If you love candles, there are some great clean options on the goop website. This is my favorite candle with an added bonus. This Coconut-oil candle melts into a massage oil!
Air Fresheners
Even though air fresheners have fragrances that are pleasing, it does not mean they are safe. According to Anthony William "Medical Medium", these are some of the most hazardous chemicals to be concerned about. Plug-in air fresheners spew chemical-laden oil into the air. The walls, bedding, pillows, furniture, air vents, and window shades will be saturated. These chemically scented, vaporized poisons hurt the lungs- their waxy, oil residue builds up in the lung sacs. Chemicals in synthetic scents can lower the immune system. When chemicals enter our bloodstream, our natural killer cells, lymphocytes, and other white blood cells absorb them, and that weakens our immune cells and even kills some off.
Air Purifier
You breathe deepest when you are sleeping. Having an air purifier in your bedroom will help you get a good night's sleep. Air purifiers clean the air your breathe by filtering out particles, pathogens, and toxins floating undetected through the air. Cigarette smoke, dust, pet dander, lead, off-gassing from carpets, formaldehyde from particle board, unclean air ducts, fumes from cleaning products, benzen, carbon monoxide, asbestos, flame retardants and more can contribute to air that is unhealthy to breathe.
We have a lot of air purifiers in our house. They are especially helpful for babies, small children, people with asthma, and people with allergies. We have a couple Dyson air purifiers and in each bedroom we have one of these Germ Guardian True HEPA Filter Air Purifier.
I do not personally own this IQ AIR medical grade air purifier, but after researching, it looks like the best one on the market and when we are looking to replace our air filter this is the one I will buy. It is rated #1 for allergies and asthma, 100x more effective than HEPA air purifiers, and stops ultra fine particles- down to .003 microns!!
NO SHOES!
Research has shown that things like chemicals you use to treat your lawn or the coal tar that's used on asphalt roads can easily get tracked into your house on our shoes and settle into nooks and crannies. Shoes track in dirt, which may not be toxic but it does make a mess. Shoes track in viruses and bacteria. Frequent contact with "fecal material" (most likely from visits to a public bathroom) means shoes host a nasty bacteria - including E.coli. A study by researchers at the University of Arizona found nine different species of bacteria on the shoes of participants. Over the course of two weeks, researchers discovered 440,000 units of bacteria on a single pair of shoes. Researchers revealed fecal bacteria on 96% of shoes. Overall, shoes were found to be dirtier than toliet seats- YUCK!
