I like my sleep; thankfully, I sleep like a baby most of the time. But did you know that hundreds of toxins are hidden in our bedroom? From the carpet to the mattress, the curtain to the pillow, and even your pajama.
This article will give you a few simple recommendations and products on making your home, particularly your bedroom, zero waste, more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
So you can sleep in peace and won’t breathe in toxins that can give you nightmares.
How can I reduce waste in my bedroom?
The bedroom is often forgotten when thinking about where to start your zero waste journey. Indeed, it isn’t the most wasteful room, unlike the bathroom and kitchen. But it deserves your attention since you spent half of your life there, give or take.
Here are the main steps you can take to create your zero waste bedroom.
- use reusable tissues instead of disposable ones.
- replace your mattress with an eco-friendly one
- replace your pillows and blankets
- look for natural curtains
- use air freshening houseplants
- wear certified organic cotton on your skin
- replace your carpet
But why should you replace all these items over time?
Toxins that can be found in the bedroom?
Back then, mattresses were filled with natural materials, such as hay, horsehair, feathers, cotton, and wool. This all changed since the plastic revolution, and most, if not all, of these materials, were replaced with cheaper synthetic options.
Materials
- Commonly found materials are polyurethane foam (memory foam) and synthetic latex. All are known to be carcinogens (can cause cancer).
In another article, I found:
One industry leader, Walter Bader, was so concerned by the toxic slew of chemicals used in mattress manufacture that he sent several mattresses to an Atlanta-based lab for testing. One memory foam model emits 61 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including known carcinogens benzene and naphthalene! Source
P.s.: If you are in the states, you can send a sample of your mattress to Duke University, and they will test it for chemicals.
Airborne Toxins:
- Airborne toxins from your carpet, dust mites, particle pollution, and mold spores can all attach to your carpet’s fabric and be released during movement, like vacuuming or even walking. The best is to replace the carpet with hard surface flooring that can easily be cleaned. You can get a rug made from natural fibers if you like carpets.
Curtains:
- Curtains are often treated with chemicals to make them wrinkle-free and fireproof. Natural fabrics will fade quicker than their counterparts, but they are a healthy option. Look for GOTS or Oeko Tex fabrics when choosing your next zero waste curtain.
Light:
- Light pollution. The light bulbs we are using can flicker and cause our sleep to be interrupted. Alternatively, you can use candles, more romantic anyway or buy bulbs that don’t flicker.
Electrical Devices
- Turn your electrical devices off at the source. Or get energy-efficient home appliances. Devices being put on sleep mode still use electricity and can also affect your sleep. Plug everything into a power bar that you can turn off or unplug your devices before sleep.
Here are some zero waste alternatives for Cushions, and Mattresses
Best eco-friendly Mattresses
Avocado
It comes out as a top vegan mattress with metal springs to support ultimate comfort and sleep. The company has been in the business for many years, and if you look for a no-compromise eco-friendly solution, this is it.
Plushbeds
100% organic foam made with natural latex, certified organic cotton and organic wool. Botanical Bliss is the best value for money you can get in an eco-friendly mattress.
Brentwood home
Makes America’s most affordable eco hybrid mattress. Made with organic latex and bio-foam, they have a great selection of mattresses that don’t break the bank.
Eco-friendly cushions and bedding
Brentwood Home has a great selection of pillow protectors, throws and everything you need for a zero-waste bedroom.
One of our favorites is Pact. They have everything from duvet covers to comforters and quilts and pillowcases. Not to forget, they also make earth’s favorite clothing. Plus, with the coupon code ZWM20 you get 20% off all pact products.
Zero waste bedroom curtains
MagicLinen
Makes beautiful timeless curtains, bedsheets, eco-friendly linen sheets, table cloths and eco-friendly curtains from European flax. It is OEKO-TEX certified, meaning they don’t contain harmful substances.
Brentwood Home
Brentwood home also offers a wide range of eco-friendly curtains, organic pillow cases and cushions and much more for your sustainable home.
Buy Sustainable Furniture
Don’t go out and buy all new furniture unless you need to. If you do, make sure your furniture isn’t constructed of cheap plywood or plastic, which might release chemical vapors. Furniture manufacturers frequently use formaldehyde-containing industrial adhesives.
When shopping for new furniture for your bedroom, look for one made of natural materials like solid wood, bamboo, or rattan. Additional zero waste tip, ensure that the wood is not covered in a layer of toxic paint or varnish.
Use Eco-Friendly Cleaners
For a zero-waste lifestyle, there are a lot of non-toxic cleaner formulas that you can use for cleaning your bedroom, depending on the task at hand. And the chances are good that you already have a lot of ingredients at home.
Distilled white vinegar, vodka, lemon juice, baking soda, eucalyptus oil, and other essential oils are miraculous ingredients.
Remove all disposables
Dispose of all consumables for zero waste. It is best to avoid and not use disposable wipes or plastic. Instead, use wipes and cloths that are washable and reusable.
When you buy creams, lotions, and other body products, buy them in larger packages for less waste. Some of these simple zero waste swaps will help you live a more environmentally responsible life.
Take the initiative! Make Your Space Zero Waste!
I hope this article has opened your eyes to zero waste products, but also find zero waste alternatives to plastic, synthetics, conventional lighting, detergents, and other options.
Final Thoughts
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!
Estimating your carbon footprint is the first step on this journey and the heart of building a zero-waste living space. Reuse old stuff, repair, fix and start from your bedroom. Most people would consider such a waste-reduction project too hard to handle, which is what consumer society teaches us.
Going trash-free and eco-aware has numerous benefits for you and planet Earth. Aside from the environmental benefits, you may find yourself living healthier, saving money & resources, and feeling better. Keep in mind that you’re on a zero-waste expedition. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
If you found this helpful, share the article with your friends so they can also be empowered and live toxin-free.
