Is Your Bedroom Green Enough?

Is Your Bedroom Green Enough?

The following contribution is from another author.

Is your bedroom green enough? No, we don’t mean the color green. We mean green, as in, saving the planet, eco friendly green! Many people don’t put a lot of thought into how green their bedroom is, but it’s so important to do this if you want to live a healthy, happy, eco friendly life. Below, we’ll discuss whether your bedroom is green enough and what you can do about it.

Change Your Lighting

Choosing incandescent or LED light bulbs when lighting your bedroom can be one of the best things to do for a greener home, surprisingly. Compact fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury and they also require laborious clean-up efforts if one of them breaks. CFL bulbs also have been proven to emit UVA and UVC rays which are no good for anybody. To prevent exposure to dangerous rays and toxins, stick to the old fashioned incandescent bulb or an LED option.

Choose Your Mattress Carefully

A mattress is a mattress right? Wrong! Not only are they different in firmness, most mattresses include flame retardants. This is something you probably don’t want to expose yourself or your family to. Mattresses made of all-natural latex , wool, cotton, hemp, or bamboo are all more eco friendly options. You can even look at this avocado mattress review to get an idea of what an organic mattress can be like. Mattress covers can protect you if you already have a mattress that has been treated with flame retardants. Make sure you know what has gone into the mattress you’re thinking of buying and what sort of an impact this can have on your health.

Select Used Furniture

Recycling all over the home is great, and you can do this in the bedroom by utilizing used furniture. Beds, dressers, and nightstands can all be great. You’ll save money, reduce your consumption, and end up with a unique looking bedroom.

Choose low-VOC or no-VOC paints

If you choose to paint your bedroom, you should be choosing low-VOC or no-VOC paints. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are dangerous chemicals that give paint that strong new paint smell. This paint can offgas chemicals for years, making your bedroom very unhealthy. Make sure you do your research into the paints that are suitable, as you really don’t want to be breathing in chemicals while you sleep.

Look For Non Toxic Floor Coverings

Hardwood, bamboo, or tile are the best choices if you’re looking for floor coverings for your bedroom. If you prefer carpet, choose a carpet awarded the Green Label by the Carpet and Rug Institute. Anything that has been made with benzene, formaldehyde, p-Dichlorobenzene, 4-PC, and xylene should be avoided at all costs, as again, these are materials that can offgas in your home for years in the future. Refuse antimicrobial treatments, fire retardants, and stain resistance, too, as they are also bad for the health of your home.

After you’ve read this, what do you think of your bedroom? Is it green enough? Leave your own thoughts and tips below to let us know what you think!

 

Author

Eric is the creator of At Home in the Future and has been a passionate fan of the future since he was seven. He's a web developer by trade, and serves as the Director of Communication and Technology for a large church in Nashville, TN (where he and his family are building a high tech home in the woods).