Handy green guide to bedrooms

Bed Frames
Conventional - Particleboard, plywood, MFC, MDF bed frames, divans contain formaldehyde, VOCs.  Fabric over divans is treated with fire retardants, mould inhibitors and other chemical treatments that offgas whilst you sleep.  Drawers underneath the bed don’t allow air to circulate when full of storage.
Greener – Metal bed frame helps air circulate and bedbugs aren’t able to crawl up the legs.  Sustainable timber frame (e.g. softwood, bamboo) without chemical treatments or a salvaged bed frame to make use of someone else’s waste.

Mattresses
Conventional – Fabric is treated with stain repellents, moisture repellents, mould inhibitors, flame retardants e.g. PBDEs, some treatments contain heavy metals associated with cancer.  Polyurethane foam & memory foam mattresses off gas whilst asleep associated with various medical conditions, especially respiration e.g. asthma. 
Greener – Natural latex, corn based plastic, organic wool, organic cotton
N.B. Flame retardants are mandatory on shop bought mattresses, although the level depends on country.

Duvets
Conventional – Polyurethane, polyester, and various chemicals that are toxic on your skin and offgas toxic vapours.
Greener – Down (natural but harbours dust mites & harvesting down is questionable), kapok, camel hair, organic cotton, organic wool, wood pulp.

Bed linen & Blankets
Conventional – Chemical dyes, stain resistant treatment, permanent press treatments (containing formaldehyde).
Greener – Patchwork recycled blankets, vegetable based, organic wool, organic cotton, organic bamboo, hemp, organic silk,

Pillows
Conventional – Polyurethane, polyester, down – all harbouring dust mites.  Any chemical based materials are in direct contact with your skin for 6-8 hours per day.
Greener – Organic wool helps deter dust mites. Dow, kapok, horse hair, natural latex, buckwheat, organic cotton, recycled polyester (this is still chemical based and will offgas)

Don’t forget transportation – a natural material from overseas will not be as eco as it seems when you add shipping carbon emissions!

Creating a sustainable interior is simply about cutting out chemical based materials and products and opting for natural, organic and treatment free.

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