Green Up Your Guest Room Five Affordable Ways to Create a Cozy, Healthy Guest Bedroom
T
his holiday season, when loved ones come to stay the night, treat them to the gift of good health with a green guest room. Since the average adult spends about one-third of each
day in bed, guests will probably enjoy a significant portion of their visit tucked away in the guest room. And what should be a time of rest and rejuvenation for the mind, body and immune system is often the opposite as modern bedrooms—from the Master to the guest room—have become a nightmare of airborne allergens and off- gassed toxins.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution in- doors than outdoors, leading to physical ailments from asthma and headaches to respiratory disease and cancer. The biggest boogeyman in the boudoir is the conventional mattress, typically made with oil, polyester, polyurethane foam, flame retardants and chemicals. Replacing a conventional mattress with an organic or all-natural option will make an immediate and long-term difference—but it’s a significant investment, especially for the guest room. So here are five additional (and more affordable!) ways to clean up and green up the guest room with items found on
thecleanbedroom.com: 1. Mattress Topper: A pure wool, latex, cotton innerspring or
natural rubber mattress topper provides a barrier of protection from a conventional mattress, and offers extra cushioning, soft comfort and additional pressure point relief. And it’s very easy to use: A topper goes right on top of the mattress itself and then the mattress pad and fitted sheet go over both the topper and the mattress, holding the topper in place. Tip: Mattress toppers can be easily rotated and help to add longevity to the mattress. 2. Pillows: The pillow and the mattress/mattress topper work in tandem to create an ideal sleep scenario. Choose pillows made with organic cotton or natural rubber (97% natural latex) for superior support and protection from dust mite allergens, (which is great if guests have allergies or asthma). Go a step beyond and offer guests their choice of pillows—other options include buckwheat hulls, for the ultimate in neck support, and wool, which is best at wicking away moisture. Tip: Remember to replace pillows every two years for continued correct support. 3. Bedding: There’s really nothing like sinking into an inviting bed at the end of the day, and guests will notice—and appreci-
ate—the soft, gentle fibers found in natural and organic bedding. Unlike man-made materials raised and processed with chemicals, eco-friendly bedding provides greater comfort and breathability. In addition, organic blankets and pure wool comforters are warm and cozy without overheating. Tip: According to the Mayo Clinic, it’s im- portant to wash bedding in hot water at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit to kill dust mites.
4. Air Purifier: Breathing clean air is of great benefit to overall health. Choose an air purifier that uses HEPA filtration, which elimi- nates 99.97% of all particles three microns in size or larger, making a difference that’s immediately noticeable. Tip: For truly miraculous results, invest in a hospital-grade unit; as this is the kind of item that can be easily moved around the house, it’s an investment worth making for its continued use outside the guest room, in places like the den or office. 5. Fresh Air: The EPA and the National Lung Association recom- mend regularly opening windows to recycle the air, and adding a window guard to block pollen, dust and dirt particles from entering the guest room. Tip: An unmade bed allows the bedding to air out and breathe—so consider this permission for guests not to make the bed every day. Don’t let guests have all the green fun! Any and all of these items are certainly at home in the Master bedroom, nursery and tod- dler/teen room—and the dorm room as well. And pets will certainly appreciate an organic bed of their own, too.
Chris Chamberlin is co-founder and co-owner of The Clean Bed- room, the country’s premier resource for allergy-free, eco-friendly mattresses, bedding and accessories. Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, The Clean Bedroom has sleep showrooms in Greenwich, CT, Wellesley, MA, Portland, ME, Kittery, ME, New York, NY, Santa Monica, CA and Austin, TX, where customers can test-drive (or test- nap!) an organic mattress. Online, on the phone and in each show- room, the company’s trained organic mattress specialists help match customers with their ideal mattress, without pressure or marketing hype. For more information, visit
TheCleanBedroom.com or call 207- 438-9778. See ad on back cover.
www.EssentialLivingMaine.com 23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27