How to Green Your Bedroom

Posted by Guest Contributor on Apr 21, 2010 in Home, Other Stuff | 0 comments

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Being eco-friendly isn’t a passing fad-it’s one of the easiest ways to stay healthy. This applies to home decorating as well. You wouldn’t dream of eating food laced with harmful chemicals, so why would you allow them into your bedroom?  Here, you’ll learn how to make your sleeping space a little more eco-friendly.

You spend roughly one-third of your life sleeping, so the air quality in your bedroom is really important. Make sure your windows open properly, so that you get good, fresh air when you want it. If you have a ceiling fan, use it- and if you don’t have one, get it installed. A ceiling fan will circulate your air, cutting down on heating and cooling bills and energy use. When painting your walls and ceilings, choose paints with low (or no) VOCs. Wash your sheets once a week to get rid of mildew, mold, and dust mites. That will cut down on allergies, as will buying organic or hypoallergenic pillows and duvets.

You’ll need a “green” mattress too. Buy one that doesn’t have polyurethane foam or toxic fire retardants. You’ll still need a flame-resistant mattress, so look for one that is made of wool and passes CPSC fire tests. Eco-friendly mattresses are available at major retailers, or from Green Sleep and many other companies. If you need help selecting an organic mattress check out these tips from Gaiam.

Along with your eco-friendly mattress, you’ll need some new bedding. Choose sheets, blankets and pillowcases made with organic fibers- there’s less impact on the environment because no pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used. Instead of going out and buying a new bedroom set when you want to update, repurpose something you already have. Save fuel and money by shopping local thrift stores, antique shops and salvage stores. You never know what you’ll find!

Being eco-savvy doesn’t mean you have to settle for a boring bedroom, check out these 5 ways to decorate on a budget. If you’re resourceful, you can find ways to dress up your space without hurting your bank balance or the environment.

Tara V. publishes GoGreenStreet.com, a light green living blog. She loves eco-friendly home design, decorating and natural family living. This mother of five is a warmhearted, trendy, green guru of all things eco-friendly!