Your guide to a sustainable sleeping environment
If you’re like us, sustainable living and parties that end at 9 o'clock are extremely important to you. Today we're going to talk about the former.
Maybe you’ve tried to be more sustainable at home by avoiding single-use plastics, buying second-hand clothing, or eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner off of the same plate. All great choices. But have you considered whether your sleeping environment could be more sustainable?
Don’t feel bad if you haven’t. Many people largely overlook their bedrooms when considering sustainability measures they can implement at home.
And, yet, building a sleeping environment focused on sustainability has lots of benefits, including better sleep. You’ll rest comfortably in the knowledge that you’re doing your part to help our planet.
Here are some must-know tips for creating a sustainable sleeping environment.
Brb, just getting some well-deserved rest after following these tips
(un)screw those Incandescent bulbs
This is tried and true sustainability advice but it bears repeating here, too: replace your incandescent lightbulbs with LEDs. CFLs (compact fluorescent lights) are also a great option.
Incandescent may be a pretty word, but the effect of incandescent bulbs on the environment certainly isn’t. They consume much more energy than LEDs and CFLs and don’t even last as long. The next time you need to replace the light bulbs in your bedroom, choose LEDs or CFLs instead.
Opt for Plant-based Fabrics
You’re probably already familiar with the virtues of plant-based foods, but what about plant-based fabrics? Not for eating, to be clear. This isn’t My Strange Addiction.
No, we mean incorporating plant-based fabrics like organic cotton or lyocell into your bedroom setup. Ideally, everything from your curtains to your sheets, even your duvet cover, should be made of plant-based fabrics. Not only are these fabrics better for the environment, but they’re also better for you.
Fabrics like lyocell are breathable and soft, making night sweats a thing of the past. Even if you can’t replace all your linens right now, it's worth investing in a sustainable sheet set made of plant-based fabrics.
Just guessing, but they might look a little something like these! Available here :)
Invest in Indoor Air Quality
The harsh reality is that pollution isn’t just a problem outside. Throwing your head under the covers may protect you from the monster under the bed, but it won’t save you from pollution.
Indoor air pollution is a serious issue, and many of the sources of this pollution are products you probably have in your bedroom right now. Specifically, things like paints, carpets, mattresses, and cosmetics can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air in your home.
VOCs are considered indirect greenhouse gasses and are linked to a variety of frightening negative health effects ranging from birth defects to cancer when one is exposed to them for long periods of time.
So what should you do? Beyond just replacing products that release VOCs (more on that below), you can also improve the air quality in your bedroom by setting out indoor plants.
Bonus: beautiful, natural decor will make you feel like you’re sleeping in the jungle.
A cool houseplant can change your life, honestly
Also, remember to replace your HVAC air filters regularly. That means at least once a quarter.
Consider a fresh coat of paint
Since paints are some of the biggest VOC culprits, you might want to consider applying a fresh coat of paint in your bedroom or even your whole house. Find a bedroom color you like and select an eco-friendly paint that’s low- or no-VOC.
Find an Eco-friendly mattress
You’re going to spend a lot of time on your mattress over its lifespan. Do you really want to be rolling around on something filled with harmful chemicals? We can't hear you, but we're assuming you're saying, "Heck no, Sheets & Giggles blog writer person."
The ideal eco-friendly mattress is made with plant-based materials (to match your new plant-based sheets), free of plastic and harmful chemicals, and doesn't off-gas.
What's off-gassing, you ask? (We heard you that time.) Most new mattresses release harmful chemicals like VOCs into the air after you open them. That’s off-gassing, and it's fair to say that it's not good for you or the environment.
Your next mattress should be a sustainable, all-natural, zero off-gassing mattress that will support both you and your sustainability goals effortlessly. Oh, look! Here’s one right here! What are the odds?
Order the Sheets & Giggles Eucalyptus Mattress here.
And don’t worry, you can dispose of your old mattress without destroying the planet. It's a win-win!