Why Your Bedding Matters
We spend approximately a third of our life sleeping. This means we come into contact with our bedding for a third of our entire day. This can play a large impact on our overall health.
Many bedding materials are made with synthetic fabrics that contain plastics and chemicals that are absorbed by our skin. Non-organic cotton is extremely dirty, and sprayed with pesticides and herbicides during cultivation. Flame retardant free, stain resistant, and water resistant sheets are also treated with chemicals which can be inhaled during sleep.
Mattress companies are not required to disclose all the chemicals they use in their mattresses (1). Some of the unlisted chemicals in many mattresses, as well as their potential risks, include:
volatile organic compounds (respiratory irritation, asthma symptoms, risk of cancer)
fragrances (allergic reactions and endocrine disruptor)
flame retardants/fiberglass (reproductive and nervous system harm (2), respiratory irritation, rashes)
PVC or vinyl (can contain phthalates which are endocrine disruptors and can lead to asthma)
formaldehyde
What to Look For
When it comes to bedding there is a lot of green washing. Terms like “natural” and “eco-friendly” are not regulated. In order to find certified organic materials, look for the following labels showing it has been certified by a third party:
GOTS - Global Organic Textile Standard
must be 95% organic
GOLS - Global Organic Latex Standard
must be 95% organic
GREENGUARD
over 360 chemicals tested
SAFER PILLOWS
~a non-exhaustive list~
sleep 365
birch
naturepedic
woolroom
look for: 100% organic wool or cotton; buckwheat; organic kapok; non GMO PLA; GOLS certified latex
Note
Quality bedding can get expensive, so if it’s not in the budget to do the “full shebang” all at once (I know it’s not for us), choose what’s most important to you. For us, it’s the kids bedding and our pillows, since that’s what our face/nose/mouth is directly on all night.
Safe bedding is important for overall health, however any signs and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing will not be fixed by quality bedding. If you suffer from SDB, quality sleep will only come once the underlying issue is addressed.
Common SDB Symptoms
ADD/ADHD
Bed Wetting
Delayed Speech
Overweight/Obesity
Learning Difficulties
Vertigo/Clumsiness
Restless Legs
Aggression/Defiance
Teeth Grinding
Snoring
Mouth Breathing
Daytime Sleepiness
Nightmares/Night Terrors
Allergies/Asthma
Anxiety
Frequent Illness
Stunted Growth
Crooked Teeth
Swollen Tonsils/Adenoids
Forward Head Posture
Recessed/Stunted Chin
Dark Circles Under the Eyes
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