Bedroom interior design ideas

Part 1 - Eco mattresses

This article looks at bedroom interior design ideas, in particular eco mattresses. This is Part 1 in a series of articles that give you a general overview of bedroom interior design from an environmental and health perspective.

You are in contact with your mattress for around 8 hours per day. It is designed to support you as you sleep, so shouldn't it be healthy and natural to minimise any adverse health effects from synthetic materials?

Synthetic mattresses have fire resistant treatments added to them during manufacture in line with safety standards. The most typical treatment is polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) which is associated with poor health and illness.

Please read my article in the health and wellbeing section for an in-depth look at PBDEs.

Bedroom interior design ideas: Source eco friendly mattresses that only contain natural materials such as.....

Organic cotton
This plant fibre is farmed without pesticides or synthetic fertilisers and has no other chemicals, petrochemical, polyurethane or toxic additives included during processing, manufacture and finishing. Organic cotton allows your skin to breathe as air circulates through the mattress, however it is not as breathable as other natural mattress materials. A warm material in the colder months and a cool material in the warmer months. Cotton absorbs moisture easily however it does not release the moisture back into the air at the same rate.

Mattresses contain layers of cotton stuffing and a thick cotton covering. Cotton gives a naturally firm support, however some mattresses include soft cotton batting which becomes packed and firmer over time. It is important that cotton is certified organic to prevent exposure to pesticides during farming and bleaching during manufacture. It is equally important that the overseas cotton manufacturer supports fair trade standards and upholds employee rights – preventing child labour in sweatshops. The final cotton finish should be naturally dyed with phosphate free and fibre reactive pigments or ideally left as the untreated natural colour.

Green cotton
As organic cotton except the fundamental difference is that it has been treated with pesticides and synthetic fertilisers during farming, but no other chemicals, petrochemical, polyurethane or toxic additives have been included during processing, manufacture and finishing. Not 100% natural, however less harmful to the environment than conventional cotton.

Wool
Wool is an intelligent natural material which has excellent anti allergy, anti bacterial, mould and mildew properties. It is soft, bouncy and as with cotton, wool allows the air to flow through the mattress. It is quick drying and adapts in line with your body temperature, keeping you cool or warm as needed. Added into mattresses as filling and covering for comfort, padding, heat/cooling properties and durability. Can be a more expensive addition to mattresses compared to synthetic foam mattresses. Wool holds excellent natural fire resistant characteristics. Organic wool has been farmed with the health and wellbeing of the sheep as a priority.

Latex
This natural and renewable material from rubber tree sap holds good mould resistance, anti microbial and anti allergy properties. Latex allows air flow and circulation, a good breathable material. Giving you comfortable foam support similar in form to synthetic foam mattresses. Latex is similar in cost to other synthetic foam mattresses, but can be more expensive. Newly manufactured latex may emit a strong odour until aired. A small percent of users may have an allergic reaction to 100% natural latex.

Hemp
This natural material is abundant and wholly renewable. It is anti-bacterial, mould and bacteria resistant and its hollow core gives excellent thermal properties. It is heavier, stronger and more resistant to wear and tear than cotton – similar in character to wool. Some mattresses include hemp batting which becomes packed and firmer over time.

Avoid
* PBDE treated flame retardant mattresses
* Petrochemical or polyurethane foam

These bedroom interior design ideas for mattresses will help you and your family get a truly healthy night's sleep.

View part 2 of bedroom interior design ideas here........

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