Are you looking to change things up in your bedroom? How about doing it the eco-friendly way? Not only will it make your bedroom a stress-free space, but it will also give you peace of mind.
Do it for yourself and the planet! Here’s how to have an eco-friendly bedroom.
Mattress matters
How much time do you think you spend in bed? If you think it’s not a big deal, well, think again.
On average, a person spends more or less one-third of his life catching some zzz’s. And that’s just one of the many activities you can do in the bedroom. Sometimes, you eat there, work there, or even just lay there with your face buried in a book or a gadget.
As you do these things, something else is going on under your nose: your mattress is releasing tiny amounts of VOCs (volatile organic compounds)!
VOCs are known respiratory toxins and cause breathing problems. They came from the materials and methods used to produce your mattress. These gaseous chemicals are the same ones found in plastics and flame retardants. Although they don’t pose a serious threat to adults, they cause health effects to children.
You can avoid this by switching to eco-friendly mattresses. They’re non-toxic to your health, they don’t harm the environment, and they’re comfortable! Plus, they are made from healthy materials such as organic wool, organic bamboo, natural latex, and organic cotton.
Furniture, furniture, furniture
Furniture is a staple item in bedrooms. You need it to sleep on, to hold things, and to stay organized. Sadly, it’s one of the least recycled household items.
In fact, furniture makes up more than 9 million tons of landfill waste yearly. if we allow this to continue, we will run out of landfills soon enough. And your trash will have nowhere else to go.
You can do your part by being mindful of the furniture you put in your bedroom.
For instance, if you don’t have any furniture yet, consider buying from companies that sell eco-friendly furniture. You can also go for secondhand furniture that’s sold for less.
If you’re going for a bedroom makeover and want to replace your current furniture, think it over. Repositioning your furniture elsewhere usually does the trick. But if you’re dead set on having new ones, make sure to donate your used furniture to those who are in need.
Reusables are your friend
There are plenty of products tucked away somewhere in your bedroom. A lot of them consist of disposable, everyday products. They are low-cost and convenient, but they are also killing the environment.
These single-use items don’t only fill up landfills quickly, but they also end up in the ocean. It’s affecting the creatures of the sea, which are the same creatures that end up on your plate. Even worse, research shows that baby fish are now mistaking plastic for food. It’s killing them quickly, which largely affects the food chain.
If you want to put an end to this madness, shop zero waste alternatives of everyday products. For instance, you can change the usual, disposable tissue you wipe your bedside table with to reusable tissue. And forget about the plastic straw while having breakfast in bed.
By ditching single-use products, you are doing both your health and the environment a favor.
Air Fresheners stink
We often associate good smell with cleanliness and relaxation. Which is why people love to keep their bedrooms smelling good with air fresheners. Sadly, most air fresheners are toxic to human health and the planet.
The usual air fresheners are formulated with gaseous chemicals. These produce more chemicals once the contents mix with the ozone in the air. These chemicals can affect your respiratory system and your skin. When you’re constantly exposed to it, it can lead to more serious health problems.
As an alternative, you may use natural ingredients such as essential oils. They smell good and are also therapeutic. Clean your bedroom regularly, too, to keep it smelling fresh.
Save energy, save lives
As previously mentioned, a huge chunk of our lives is spent inside the bedroom. This means the lights, TV, air conditioner or heater, and other appliances found in your bedroom are always on, even when not in use.
This produces huge amounts of greenhouse gases and increases global warming. So, if you’ve ever wondered why summer feels hotter every year, this is why!
To solve this, go for energy-saving light bulbs instead of the usual ones. Also, switch off and unplug anything that is not in use.
In addition, decrease the use of lights during the day by opening up your curtains and allowing sunlight to light up your room.
There you have it! There are more ways to have the eco-friendly bedroom. But you can start today by following these tips.