First and foremost, thank you to all for reading the first
installation in what will be a series of articles related to how our homes
effect the health of children. Secondly, many of you asked for solutions to the toxicity generated from
mattresses. I hear you, loud and clear! And to prove it, this article will be
dedicated to what you want: solutions for every budget and/or level of
paranoia. Enjoy and always feel free to contact me about specific questions that
may arise.
For those of you who will be needing a new mattress soon, whether for you or your child, the best and most expensive way, is to simply purchase a mattress made with 100% organic cotton and pure grow wool (wool that has been sheared from clean sheep who were un-dipped, untreated, and free-ranging animals). This type of wool will repel dust mites, mold, and mildew-- naturally! Skip mattresses with metal coils or springs, which acts as a conductor of electricity directly to your body. Instead, opt for natural latex or 100% organic cotton. The mattress should also be free of synthetic materials, glues, foam, fire-retardants, and moth proofing. Don’t be fooled by the “DO NOT REMOVE BY PENALTY OF LAW” label, which actually gives no useful information about the chemicals used in your mattress. (You will find a list of recommended healthy bedding companies below).
Be wary of particle board bed frames. These are usually put
together with formaldehyde that continues to outgas long after installation. Purchase
an untreated frame, or one that is made with actual wood, which is very
healthy.
If purchasing a brand new mattress for you or your children isn’t
an option at the moment, there are a few things to do that will decrease the
toxins emitted from a mattress.
First, your mattress must be tightly covered by an organic cotton
and pure grown wool mattress pad. The pad will help to reduce the cocktail of
toxins breathed in on a nightly basis as well as reduce the chances of mold and
dust mites contaminating one’s bed.
Use 100% organic cotton sheets and pillow cases. Why go to all
the trouble of making a healthy bedroom and buy conventional sheets doused in
solvents, dyes, synthetic chemicals?
Raise your bed 12-16 inches off the floor, this allows for better
air circulation in and around your mattress- your bed needs to breathe to avoid
a high moisture content which causes mold and mildew. On the same note, open
your windows before making your bed. After a full night’s sleep, we all tend to
leave a fair amount of moisture on our sheets. Airing your bed out makes a lot
of sense.
Clean and get rid of dust that may be harboring underneath your
bed, or anywhere in your bedroom for that matter. Inhaling dust means your
breathing in particles of whatever is in your bedroom. These dust particles are
usually not healthy and are generated from one’s toxic mattress, carpets,
particleboard framing, and even electromagnetic electricity from alarm clocks,
cell phones, and TV’s (another article on this in the weeks to come). When
dusting, always “wet” dust. The goal is to capture the dust, not spread it
around more.
Use a a HEPA Filter Vacuum filter to vacuum you bed, curtains,
floor, etc. Only HEPA filters are
able to rid your home of microscopic particles and help to purify the air.
Conventional vacuums pick up less than 70% of particles as well as having the
bad habit of regurgitating unhealthy air back into your home.
Purchase plants such as Aloe, Boston Fern, Bamboo Palm, Areca
Palm, and Lilly Plants. According to a NASA study a few years back, these
plants actually help to detoxify indoor air that is infiltrated with
formaldehyde, PBDE’s, and other harmful chemicals.
Avoid “memory foam” pillows and mattresses. These are made with a
concoction of petroleum products!
Opt for100% organic cotton fill, pure
grow wool, or a mixture of both.
When washing sheets, pillowcases, blankets, etc, do not use
conventional detergent which are made with a chemical stew of unhealthy
ingredients. 7th Generation and Method make great products that are easily
found.
**For all of your bedding needs, here are a few companies that are
faithful in the production of healthy bedding products that abide by fair
practices with the consumer in mind: These companies are recommended by the Institute of Building Biology.
Coyuchi,
Eco-Terric
Gaiam
Heart of Vermont
Janice’s
Shepard’s Dream
Natural Home
Sachi Organics.
Thanks for reading again and I
sincerely hope that this helps more than it overwhelms.
For more information on how to offset the harmful chemicals in your home and protect your family. Please contact Neill Alleva at neillalleva@me.com
For more information on how to offset the harmful chemicals in your home and protect your family. Please contact Neill Alleva at neillalleva@me.com
Educating and changing the habits of the the public about the dangers of electro, water, and air pollution in ones home is of monumental importance to bodily health and function. Neill will diagnose the problems, prescribe remedies, and inform you on how to
be your own advocate when it comes to maintaining a healthy home.
Neill is currently working on his Building Biology Practitioner Certification at the
International Institute for Bau-Biologie and Ecology.
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