When it comes to organic food and organic home products, there are a lot of choices. It can be overwhelming. However, there’s no need to freak. You will totally look like you know what you’re doing (even when you’re not so sure) with these simple rules…

Organic is not always best: There are absolutely some items you should purchase organic, and then there are the organic items that matter less. Clothing, textiles, and other fabrics for your home are good organic, but you can also choose used or other sustainable fabrics that are just as eco-friendly as organic cotton. For example – hemp, bamboo, and thrift store finds all lower your footprint without the organic label. As for organic food, some purchases offer better health and eco-benefits than others. Check out which organics you need to buy and 11 Ways to Save Money on Organic Food in order to make smart choices.

Don’t go nuts all at once: Small organic changes are just as good as a complete life overhaul, but WAY easier. Don’t try to go massive organic all at once. Start making small changes; i.e. buy organic peanut butter and organic cotton pillow cases. Eventually all your simple changes will start to add up.

Got pets?: Let them go organic too. Many people forget their pets but currently there are many organic varieties of pet foods, green pet homes, and toys out there.

Go organic for health: If you’re only going organic for the eco-benefits, that’s fine, but the health benefits of organic over conventional offer you much more motivation. For example, you can make over your bathroom soaps and cosmetics in order to cut chemicals out of your world or buy a better organic mattress for a non-toxic dream time. Think about organic in a way that personally relates to you because this makes shopping decisions easier.

Make it easy for your kids: Kids raised on organics are in a better position to grow up understanding the long-term benefits. Don’t just go organic – talk organic with the kiddos so they know what’s up. Once they’re old enough to make shopping decisions, they’ll have a far easier time than our generation of adults.

How are you going organic at home?

How to choose a good green mattress and pillow:

Green mattresses come in all flavors. You want to look for certified organic materials, wool, and non-treatment with chemicals. Overall, you’ve got plenty of choices such as:

• Innerspring mattresses
• Futons
• Green mattress toppers
• Natural Latex Mattresses
• Mattress Pads

Most of the places that sell green mattresses will have healthy green pillows available as well. For more shopping help, check out the green mattress shopping guide and this guide to eco-pillows.

Consider packaging and shipping as well. If you’re going to go green – don’t half-a** it. Make sure the packaging for your products are made with recycled or recyclable materials and buy local whenever possible.

Costs vary A LOT on green mattresses and pillows. While there is something for everyone, no matter your budget, it’s not as easy to find a great price on a earth friendly mattress as it is a conventional one. You really need to plan your budget and research options to snag the best deal.

Keetsa is a great place to start your search for a greener bed – the folks there not only offer great bedding info, but run an informative eco-blog and are overall cool folks. You can also look at Green America’s green mattress and bedding pages.

Green bedding is a huge deal because we spend about a third of our lives in bed. Some of us probably spend even more time in bed

This is a major reason why you should go green with all your bedding, including the main components – your mattress and pillows.

Perks of choosing an eco-friendly mattress and pillow:

Conventional cotton can be jam packed with pesticides and even insecticides. You don’t want to sleep on that.

Many of the synthetic fabrics and materials used in conventional mattresses and pillows are made with non-renewable petroleum products. These products are often further treated with chemicals that can, over time, emit icky junk into the air (and into your peaceful dreams).

Conventional bed items are made with some major flame retardant baddies. Yes, no one wants to burn alive, but flame retardant materials like the ones used in conventional mattresses and pillows are overly bad for your health. The combustible-happy petroleum materials used to make conventional bed items is why the mattress and pillows need treated anyhow.The most common flame retardants are PBDEs and has been shown to pollute both the planet and our bodies. PBDEs have been noted as a possible prerequisite to birth defects, decreased sperm counts, motor skill problems, and more.

All of the above not only can cause problems in your home (added toxicity, chemicals in the air, and health issues) but also are dangerous for the people who manufacture these products.

All in all, conventional mattresses and pillow spell big trouble for your health and your green home. Coming up, how to choose a greener mattress and pillow, and some more facts about healthy green bedrooms.

Do you know what’s in your mattress?

In How To Choose Earth-Friendly Bedding we looked at some easy tips about how and why to choose organic cotton for your bedroom. Now I’ve gathered up some excellent options for earth-friendly bedroom living and decor…

Above is the lovely Amenity Bloom Organic Cotton Duvet Cover in Cream & Lavender – beautiful organics for a peaceful night.

Lemongrass Reed Bamboo Duvet & Pillowcases in silky bamboo-cotton.

Bird Pillow (Brown) by K Studio a 100% hemp accessory for the bedroom!

Unison Twill Organic Blanket & Pillow In Honey – stylish and simple.

Organic Duvets (Organic Cotton & Wool) – Made of 100% Virgin lambs wool and encased in 100% Organic Sateen cotton.

Very pretty Dream Sacks Reversible Coverlets. Many colors available.

Extras you may like:

• Eco Luxe Organic Mattress Pad by Springs
• Certified Organic Cotton / Cotton Stuffed – Vegan Pillow
• HDN Certified Organic Cotton Alpenglow Quilt
• Under The Canopy Pillowcase Set

Here are some tips:

Choose organic: Many products say “Organic” but not all organic labels can be trusted. If you want to be 100% positive that you’re choosing real organic bedding, look for the USDA Organic label. This is not to say that all other organic labels are worthless, it’s just that the USDA label is regulated. If you see sheets in organic, and no USDA label, you can also go online and research the background of the company selling them. Their principles and practices can help you figure out how organic the company is.

Choose natural dyes: Many bedding companies use harsh treatments and colored dyes on their fabrics. You don’t need to sleep with that junk. Look for bedding that’s been dyed with natural means, such as veggie or mineral dyes or go with a plain and sophisticated unbleached colored bedding set. Also note that there are plenty of brightly naturally dyed options available. Natural dyes don’t mean you have to go with bland bedding.

Choose easy: Some natural bedding options are easier to care for than others. Yes you want non-toxic, but you also want long-lasting and easy to wash. Bedding that requires extra special care can waste your time, and it can cost more in the long run. Easy care natural bedding materials include choices like basic organic cotton, bamboo (when in an organic cotton blend), hemp (only special care is air drying), some wool (wool is not vegan and not all can be machine washed, but others can – check the label).

Always research your options before purchasing.

A few places to find natural bedding:

• Anna Sova
  
• Gaiam
• Loop Bedding

[Bedding image via Loop Bedding collection]