Organic Mattresses

Check out this article in the Washington Post. Guess what - that smell in your memory foam mattress may not be good for you!!   And our organic mattresses are the only latex mattresses that are Greenguard Certified and produced in a USDA certified facility

washingtonpost.com > Print Edition > Sunday Source
Eco Wise
Mattress Eco-Matters: Don't Take It Lying Down

Sunday, April 6, 2008; Page N02
Your mattress might be an environmental nightmare.

Most mattresses, as well as memory foam and egg-crate covers, are made with petroleum-based ingredients such as polyurethane foam, which can emit a strong smell because of organic solvents. And most also contain flame retardants, required by fire-safety laws but often harmful to human health. In 2005, toxic fireproofing chemicals called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) were phased out of production, but some of their replacements are almost as bad, says Sonya Lunder, a senior analyst at the Environmental Working Group, a D.C.-based nonprofit organization.

Just how hazardous can a mattress -- or pad or pillow -- be? The answer might be enough to make you lose sleep. Regular tossing and turning causes a mattress's foam to break down, and the resulting dust can float into the air you breathe. A 2006 Consumer Product Safety Commission study estimated that the average adult sleeping on a conventional mattress will be exposed to 0.802 milligrams of antimony and 0.081 milligrams of boric acid -- which is commonly used to kill cockroaches -- every night. The report deems these amounts safe for those older than 5, but numerous studies have linked both substances to a host of adverse health effects at various doses, and the cumulative effect of daily exposure is unknown. In addition, a number of recent studies have detected PBDEs in household dust, including in homes in the D.C. area.

Of course, airborne toxins are ubiquitous, and mattresses are only one source. That said, if you're buying a new one, including those for infants, you should consider going chemical-free. On the market are several mattresses made with organic and non-toxic materials such as wool and latex from rubber trees -- both naturally fire-resistant, negating the need for chemical flameproofing. Though they aren't cheap, the cost to the environment of making them is less than the cost of traditional mattresses.

One option comes from green lifestyle impresario Danny Seo, who has developed a line of organic and bamboo home furnishings for JCPenney. His Simmons Natural Care mattresses (from $1,599, available late this month at JCPenney stores) have natural latex cores, soy-based foam and surfaces covered with Tencel, a fabric made from wood pulp. Eco-Green Living (1469 Church St. NW, 202-437-7110) also offers chemical-free, latex-based mattresses, as do such Web retailers as the Organic Mattress Store ( http://www.theorganicmattressstore.com), NaturalBedStore.com and Simply Organic Sleep ( http://www.simplyorganicsleep.com). Even such mainstream retailers as 1-800-Mattress offer natural mattresses from Vivetique and other brands.

It's good to remember, however, that anything bought new has an environmental footprint. Mattresses are large items that require energy to build and transport. And old mattresses are difficult to recycle in the area, although a dedicated mattress recycling facility is under construction in Frederick. "There is something to be said for keeping what you have and not creating more waste," Lunder says.

If you're concerned about toxins but not ready to replace your old mattress, you can take steps to improve indoor air quality:

· "It's difficult to gauge how much of the chemicals seep out, but it also depends on how you're protecting it," says Seo, who recommends a barrier cloth cover (made from tightly woven cotton and typically used for allergy protection) to keep some compounds from escaping.

· If a mattress or pillow is noticeably odoriferous, letting it air out in a shed for a few days will at least help keep the chemicals out of the bedroom, although they'll still be in the environment. "Avoiding things that stink" -- that new-foam smell -- "is a great rule of thumb for environmental health," Lunder says.

· Finally, stocking up on such houseplants as spider plants and ferns, which absorb airborne pollutants, can help you rest easier.

-- Eviana Hartman

Better Living

Well it was a better living show-my back and vocal cords got a real workout. The Better Living Show had a really great showing with thousands of people in the Expo Center. And the Eclectic Home booth was buzzing. I could hardly believe the numbers of people who stopped by to see and experience our organic mattresses. It sure is nice to have a certified, American made mattress and have a crowd of people wanting to see it. We will be posting some pictures of the festivities. Also there is going to be some after show specials at the store to make room for our new pieces from Urban Woods and Maria Yee.

Welcome Urban Woods

We are excited to add a new manufacturing partner to our growing inventory of sustainable products.  Urban Woods ,based in Los Angeles, sources raw materials and manufactures right in LA.  Urban Woods does total domestic sourcing and production of raw materials and has meticulous attention to sustainability.  They use all reclaimed wood, non toxic glues and finishes-and best of all their furniture is well constructed and very cool.  We will have several of their pieces at the Better Living Show, and then it will be on display at the store.    

Better Living Show

We are excited to be furnishing the featured home inside Better Living Show on March 28, 29,30 at the Portland Expo Hall.  We will be featuring some of our local manufacturing partners both in the home and in our booth.  In our booth we are creating a complete natural bedroom complete with a brand new organic mattress, a sustainable bedroom set and organic bedding.  There is free admission to the show-we hope to see you there!

Organic Mattresses

More companies are selling latex mattresses to satisfy consumer demand. There are differences between a  latex mattress and an organic mattress. This is much more than an exercise in semantics.  If you are looking for a latex mattress there are many places to find one-from box stores, online retailers, and run of the mill mattress stores. Finding an organic mattress is not that easy. An organic mattress is organic: it is made from natural materials that have been certified organic. The consumer gets a sleeping surface that is free from chemical additives and coatings. Organic Mattresses Incorporated produces a certified organic mattress: the product as well as the plant where it is produced have third party certification. Handmade, organic, quality products are not inexpensive however when we deliver our mattresses we know we are giving our customers a superior product.

Sustainable Furniture Council

I had the opportunity to be part of a conference call with the standards committee of the Sustainable Furniture Council. Knee deep in a technical conversation that centered around devising green standards for things like foam cushions and adhesives made me realize what a daunting task this organization has taken on. What is really important is that someone is trying to establish standards for green furnishings. Many companies are beginning to promote sustainable goods and I think that is a good thing. I think too many people are overly concerned about "greenwashing"; saying something is environmentally friendly without really knowing or caring but just using green as a marketing ploy.

There is no real definition of sustainability; it is a moving target. I applaud the efforts of manufacturers to become more transparent about their manufacturing practices. And I appreciate the individuals and companies who are attempting to find the best way to minimize their footprint while maintaining a on-going operation. Our goal as a retailer is to represent those companies who are out there trying to product goods in a responsible manner and who also try to achieve the most innovative solutions for our customer's needs. Evaluating and retooling our global infrastructure will be an ongoing process. While we must always strive to be better we have to recognize that we are making progress and we have to support those eco-pioneers who are setting a new standard for design and production.

Las Vegas Furniture Market

It was a one day trip to Las Vegas but I managed to catch the highlights of the Las Vegas Winter Furniture Market. The designated Green Furniture area was much larger than summer market and had some new vendors. Of course Zola Furnishings, our premier organic upholsterer, was there with their new bamboo couch. I saw some nice new bamboo desks from Legare. Their transition from Baltic Birch to bamboo moves them up the chain of sustainability. I saw some very exotic tables made from reclaimed wood and old tree roots. And High Desert Naturals, another of our suppliers, introduced some new fabric colors and designs. It is really exciting to see the green furnishings options expand. We hope to have some of these new products in the store as soon as they are available. Keep in touch.