Can an Organic Crib Mattress Help Prevent Autism? Harvard Thinks So…

There are few medical disorders that provoke as much controversy among parents and practitioners as autism. Researchers are still working to determine the specific causes of autism and theories run the gamut from genetic vulnerability to environmental factors like exposure to mercury through vaccines, dental amalgam or…non organic mattresses? Yep, that’s right. Non organic mattressses are chock-full of dangerous industrial chemicals like mercury, which is linked to myriads of health problems in addition to autism. And because babies born today are up against the odds in terms of chemical exposure (a typical fetus will encounter 200+ toxins before ever entering the world) many experts, including those at the Harvard School of Public Health, urge parents to protect their young children from neurodevelopmental disorders like autism or attention deficit disorder by limiting their contact with objects that harbor industrial chemicals.

Where’s the best place to start? Where baby spends the most time, of course: the crib. Outfitting a baby’s bed with an organic mattress means 12-15 hours less daily exposure to the cocktail of toxins surrounding us in the industrial world. Barry Cik worked as an environmental engineer for 30 years before starting the Naturepedic organic mattress company, which he was inspired to do after a trip to buy his first grandchild a crib mattress. “I was appalled by what I found,” he writes in an article for GreenBiz.com entitled, “Chemical Regulations and the Modern Mattress: The Stuff of Nightmares.” Aware of the threat to small children posed by ingredients like polyvinal chloride, Cik quickly left the crib store, but not before telling the salesperson, “My grandfather slept on straw. I’ll have my grandchildren sleep on straw before I let them sleep on these mattresses. This is not progress.” He went on to found Naturepedic, where he went to work developing a non-toxic, organic crib mattress.

When baby sleeps atop an organic crib mattress like the kind developed by Cik for his grandkids, pesticides and off-gassing plastics are nowhere to be found, which may be a crucial step in the fight against autism, allergies, and even Parkinson’s disease. However, don’t be fooled by corner cutters advertising “green”, “natural,” or “eco-friendly” baby beds. Sure, some may indeed have organic ingredients, but unless a mattress is 100% non-toxic, your infant isn’t safe from the damaging effects of industrial chemicals. To be sure you get what you pay for, look for certifications to back up an “organic” mattress manufacturer’s claims.

While we still don’t know the exact causes of autism spectrum disorders, what we do know is that industrial chemicals are dangerous, especially to young children. Luckily, you don’t have to line your baby’s crib with straw to shield him or her from harm. Lull your little one to sleep atop an organic mattress and you can rest easy, too. With a new arrival in the house, goodness knows you probably need it.

Detox Your Bedroom – Why Healthy Living Starts With an Organic Mattress

Last May, right around spring cleaning time, The New York Times ran an article by Penelope Green entitled, “Domestic Detox: Extreme Home Cleaning” about a growing trend to rid the home of “personal pollution,” as Green puts it. Green hired a building biology consultant to test the air, water, and building materials in her home for toxicity, rating everything from TV antennas to her non-organic mattress according to the “stress” it places on the body. When he finished the evaluation, Green’s consultant prescribed a list of improvements to help her detoxify her home, inspiring me to reflect on the toxicity of my own abode. It didn’t take long for my head to spin and my wallet to wince.

Purifying the home is probably the most important thing you can do to mitigate the personal effects of pollution, but it will cost you. For example, Green shelled out $375 for a few hours with the building biologist: a figure that stopped me in my tracks.

“Isn’t there a way to detoxify my digs without breaking the bank?” I wondered to myself. Turns out, there is, and it starts with the place you spend the most time: your bedroom.

Green bedroom = green home
Is your mattress organic? Are your sheets unbleached? Do you keep electronics plugged in next to your bed? Your bed is, by far, the most important item in your home in terms of personal pollution. Why? Well, you only spend a third of your time there! Most people have between six to eight hours of close contact with their beds every day. Per federal safety regulations, non-organic mattresses are loaded with flame retardants, which scientists have recently begun to concur are extremely toxic to human health as well as the environment. Thus, ridding your home of its non-organic mattresses makes a huge dent in your level of personal pollution.

Invest in your health with a natural latex mattress
Natural latex mattresses repel dust mites and organic cotton and wool won’t emit harmful chemicals while you sleep. Thus, replacing your non-organic mattress with a natural latex bed padded with organic cotton and wool is like giving your bedroom a breath of fresh air.

Not all organic natural latex mattresses are cut from the same cloth
If your goal is domestic detox, a hybrid organic mattress simply won’t do. When manufacturers utilize only a percentage of organic natural materials in their mattresses, you still end up breathing toxic fumes, albeit not quite as many. Natural latex, on the other hand, is a different story. Synthetic latex is petroleum-based while natural latex is derived from the rubber tree sap. Which one do you think survives the detox test?

The bottom line is, you don’t have to be filthy rich to purify your home. Be your own building biologist, start with a single investment in an organic mattress, and work up from there. I promise your bedroom will thank you. (And so will your health.)

Allergies Acting Up Again? Go Back To Bed!

This year, get a jump-start on allergy season and try the hottest new remedy for itchy eyes and scratchy throats.  The best part is, it doesn’t come in a pill bottle and you can use it lying down, preferably while snoozing.  Give up?  To benefit from today’s most cutting edge allergy treatment, you needn’t leave the comforts of your bedroom, just as long as it has a natural latex mattress. Natural latex mattresses are hypoallergenic and free of the pesticides and chemicals that normally make your bedroom a battle zone.  It may sound like a sweet dream, but rest assured, that is only a side effect.    Natural latex is the real deal and a great way to beat the allergy blues.  Let me tell you why:

Why are natural latex mattresses a boon for allergy sufferers? 

Plenty of manufacturers offer organic cotton mattress covers or hybrid beds that mix synthetic with natural latex.  These beds may provide some relief for allergy sufferers but they won’t go all the way.  Organic mattress covers can’t rid a bed entirely of dust mites – every allergy sufferer’s enemy – and synthetic latex emits toxic fumes that trigger allergic reactions.  However, natural latex mattresses repel dust mites and are not treated with any harmful chemicals or pesticides, making them the best option for those of us who dread allergy season. 

Will a mattress containing wool also do the trick?

While mattresses containing wool reduce the stress often experienced by allergy sufferers, they can only go so far.  Together with natural latex they will keep dust mites almost entirely at bay and no other conventional mattress can compete with that.  Dust mites cause and exacerbate asthma, provoke eczema and hay fever, and have been known to cause fatigue and depression.  They live and breed in conventional cotton mattresses by the millions and are the culprits of scores of red, itchy eyes.  Want to be virtually dust mite free?  A natural latex and wool mattress is your only guarantee.

What about latex allergies? 

Most latex allergies are triggered on contact.  But natural latex mattresses are sheathed in layers of organic cotton and wool making it impossible for you to come into direct contact with the natural latex core.  However, a tiny percentage of people react to latex proteins, so if you do have an allergy (examples; bananas and certain nuts) consult your doctor to get the thumbs up before springing for a natural latex mattress. 

Win the war against watery eyes with natural latex as your weapon.  Upgrade to a natural latex mattress and say goodbye to dust mites, hazardous chemicals, and allergic reactions.  When the outside world is swirling with pollen, ragweed, and the like, your bed should be your buddy not your bully.  Treat your body right and try the ultimate allergy remedy:  a natural latex and wool mattress. 

Could Your Mattress Be Giving You Cancer? Flame Retardants and Your Thyroid

Federal law mandates that certain household items be treated with flame retardants to reduce their flammability and conventional mattresses are at the top of the list, especially those made with highly flammable materials like polyurethane foam, the key ingredient in most memory foam mattresses. Legislators back flame retardants because they are proven to curb flammability, mitigate the damage caused by fire, and save lives, but they have a troubled past. Early compounds were quickly outlawed for their high toxicity and over thirty years later, those flame-retardants are still detected in breast milk and umbilical cord blood. Not cool.

What are the current health risks associated with fire retardants?
There is a growing scientific consensus about the health risks associated with sleeping on non organic mattresses treated with flame retardants. Research reveals that flame retardant compounds inhibit thyroid and liver function, increasing the risk for cancer as well as pulmonary damage. And it is particularly troubling that flame retardants have been detected in breast milk because of the overwhelming evidence linking them to neurological damage in young children.

Why does my non organic mattress pose such a specific threat to my health?
Flame retardants are everywhere, not only in your non organic mattress. You can find them in auto upholstery, carpet padding, baby and children car seats, drapery, and basic building materials. However, most people don’t spend much time in close proximity to any of these items. If you get a regular eight hours of sleep, you will end up spending approximately 121 days a year breathing in the flame retardants your non organic mattress wafts your way. Bet you can’t say the same about your drapes.

Do organic mattresses contain fire retardants?
Natural latex mattresses padded with organic wool and cotton are not treated with fire retardants. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be on the lookout for greenwashing. A mattress labeled “natural” or “eco-friendly” may still contain synthetic latex, which is made with petroleum, requiring the use of flame retardants. Just because a mattress is made with organic materials doesn’t automatically exempt it from flammability standard so make sure you look for the purest natural latex.

Scientists still have a lot to learn about the specific ways flame retardants affect the human body. The question is: what should you do while the verdict is out? If you’re still sleeping on a non organic mattress, you may want to do a little research about the flame retardants the manufacturer used when making your bed in order to make an educated decision (check for yourself and GOOGLE “Flame Retardants and Your Thyroid”). Then make an appointment to drop by the showroom and see for yourself what natural latex is all about!

Is Your Conventional Mattress Keeping You From Getting a Good Night’s Sleep?

Earlier this year, Martha, a customer, shared a story with me about her friend, Sarah. Martha’s friend Sarah had been complaining that she felt tired, sore, and perpetually getting over a cold. “Have you thought about switching to an organic mattress?” Martha asked her. “Natural latex is hypo allergenic and better for your back.” Sarah laughed her off. “Nice try but I think I’m just stressed and allergy prone,” a very common response, so Martha explained the many ways an organic mattress might help Sarah to erase the ever-darkening circles under her eyes and then dropped the subject. That is, until Sarah started sporting lines of red welts from dust mite bites in addition to her under-eye circles, let’s just she was all ears. “Why don’t you come and stay with me for a couple of days?” Martha offered. “There’s an organic mattress in the guest bedroom. If the natural latex doesn’t do the trick, we’ll try something else.” After all, natural latex repels clever critters like bed bugs and dust mites. Plus, it supports the spine and helps to maintain alignment while you’re snoozing, curbing tossing and turning in your sleep. She accepted and, that very evening, settled in for an extended slumber party. Here’s what happened next:

Night #1 – “Hey, this organic mattress doesn’t smell organic!”

Sarah isn’t the tree-hugging type, so when she heard the words “organic mattress,” she immediately assumed that she’d be sleeping on something musky with a fragrance like a South Florida forest floor. Boy was she surprised when she laid down on Martha’s natural latex guest bed and got a whiff of…nothing! In fact, you’re more likely to feel your nose twitch on a non-organic mattress than an organic one. That’s because synthetic materials off-gas, producing a plastic-like scent that may never completely fade away.

Night #2 – “Natural latex or not, I feel great!”

After Sarah’s second test sleep on her organic mattress, Martha says she was certain Sarah’s eyes were less puffy and her mood a lot more peppy. Exceptionally stubborn, Sarah wasn’t ready to admit that natural latex did the trick. “Sure, I slept a lot sounder,” Sarah told Martha over breakfast, “but it could be because your house is so cozy.” Martha didn’t say a word. And, after that, neither did Sarah. Not one word about her typical back pain, itchy eyes, or fatigue!

Night #3 – “Please don’t make me go back to my non-organic mattress!”

With her stay at Martha’s little makeshift Bed & Breakfast drawing to a close, Sarah started to get nervous about returning to her non-organic mattress. “Okay, you may be right.” She admitted over bagels after her third night’s sleep on natural latex. So, they started talking about making the switch, once and for all, to an organic mattress in her own home and a few days later, Sarah and Martha came to visit me at Green Dwellers to configure a natural latex mattress for Sarah.

According to Martha, it’s been a long time since her friend yawned during a lunch date or complained about a backache. And she finally got over her perpetual cold! Wow, I really had to hand it to Martha for not saying, “I told you so!”

Take a Deep Breath – Natural Latex and Indoor Air Quality

I’d like to think that my work is one of many creative solutions for pollution. Did you know that a majority of Americans would probably be better off behind a belching car or truck than in their own bedrooms? That’s because non organic mattresses, pillows, bedding, and tapestries continuously emit toxic chemicals, not to mention bacteria, mildew, and mold. And, while commuters are sure to find themselves sandwiched between a toxic truck or two from time to time, a few minutes a day is a far cry from being centimeters away from a polluting perpetrator for 8+ hours a day.

So, are we all doomed to breathe uneasily no matter where we are? Not necessarily. Every day, I help people make the switch to natural latex and many do it because they know it doesn’t emit hazardous chemicals. I always say, leave the gas in your garage! Let me explain:

Non organic mattresses should pass emissions tests, too
Today’s non organic mattress are “treated” (aka soaked) with dozens of different toxic chemicals in order to comply with flame-retardant laws. Non organic mattress may even undergo a second or third coat for the prevention of a dust mite or bed bug infestation. Over time, these beds release or “off-gas” a steady stream of unregulated toxins directly into your bedroom and your airways. When you look at it that way, a non organic mattress may might as well have an exhaust pipe, for all the pollutants it pumps into your home.

Natural latex and a non-toxic bedroom
When it isn’t mixed with synthetics, natural latex is your bedroom’s equivalent of an electric car. Not only do they not off-gas, natural latex mattresses are hypo-allergenic and resistant to common air pollutants like bacteria, mold, mildew, and dust mites. Some organic mattresses are even certified by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, which measures products according to strict indoor air quality standards.

Now what?
If you’ve already sprung for a natural latex mattress and organic bedding there are still ways you can further improve your bedroom’s indoor air quality. In order to rid your home of indoor pollutants, the EPA suggests increasing ventilation or investing in an air cleaner. It’s also important to note that the benefits of natural latex aren’t reserved to organic mattresses. Natural latex is a common ingredient in non-toxic, low VOC paints: a great alternative to the smelly, off-gassing lead paints that may currently be adorning your walls and polluting your air.

Your car may run on fumes but you don’t have to. And, seeing as you spend about 4x as much time in bed as you do in the car, why not take an organic mattress for a test drive? All the traffic in the world can’t cancel out the benefits of a healthy, restful night’s sleep.

Dust Mites Aren’t So Mighty When It Comes to Natural Latex

Welcome to another edition of America’s Bedroom’s Most Wanted.  This week we’ll be profiling the dust mite.  Billions of these fugitive bugs are wreaking havoc on non organic mattress users all over South Florida.  If someone you know is still sleeping on anything other than natural latex, they may be this merciless villain’s next victim.  As of now, the dust mite is at the top of the non organic mattress’ Top Ten Most Wanted list alongside bed bugs, bacteria, and conscience-less chemical toxins.  Have you yet to secure your home with natural latex?  Keep reading for what you and your loved ones need to know about staying safe from this ruthless bedroom offender. 

The dust mite’s previous crimes

Dust mites are microscopic critters that feed on dead skin cells from people and their pets.  These heartless creatures then excrete feces that trigger allergies and respiratory problems in their human victims.  Some innocent sleepers even report headaches, fatigue, and depression as a result of a dust mite infestation.

Last seen inside South Florida’s non organic mattresses

Are you harboring dust mite fugitives in your home?  Chances are, if you’re sleeping on a non organic mattress, you are playing the unwitting accomplice to their crimes.  The older a non organic mattress is, the more likely it is that millions of dust mites may be stowing away, lurking in your bed’s dark corners, just waiting to attack.  And dust mite crimes are especially prevalent in South Florida, because mites thrive in damp, humid conditions.  Beds made out of synthetic materials instead of natural latex and organic wool are the perfect hiding places for these common criminals because they aren’t as good at absorbing moisture and tend to stay damp on those muggy South Florida nights. 

Keep your loved ones safe with natural latex

What’s the best weapon for protecting yourself against these wily offenders?  Natural latex.  Organic mattresses made with Talalay or Dunlop latex naturally act as your bedroom’s best security system because they keep mites from breeding and creating the next generation of creepy criminals.  Organic mattresses also defend against other perpetrators like mold, mildew, and bad boy bacteria.  Protect yourself and your family with a natural latex line of defense.  (Don’t forget to arm yourself with a natural latex pillow, too!)

You can help the team at America’s Bedroom’s Most Wanted ensure that dust mites have claimed their last victim by securing your home with natural latex.  And we won’t rest until all of South Florida is sleeping safely atop an organic mattress.  Help us win the fight!  Take a trip to the Florida Organic Mattress Store today and pick out your preferred weapon of choice. 

Allergy-Proof your home for fall

As Fall sends people with allergies running for tissues, here are tips for three troublesome triggers.:

RAGWEED.  One plant can release 1 million grains of pollen every season.  Combat it by running the air conditioner (which also functions as a filter).  Put HEPA filters in as many rooms as possible, especially the bedroom.  When pollen is heavy, change clothes after coming home.

MOLD.  Damp fall weather makes mold a problem.  To see if your home might be prone to mold, pour a bucket of water on the ground a few feet from your house.  If water seeps toward your foundation, you’re at risk.  Indoor water sources can cause problems too.  Make sure bathrooms are caulked and vents work.

DUST MITES.  Two thousand dust mites can live in 1 ounce of mattress dust.  Get allergy-proof bedding or a natural latex and wool mattress (dust mites can’t live in natural latex or wool and wool does not retain moisture); wash linens in hot water, at least 130 degrees.  Try to eliminate mite havens: carpets, upholstery, stuffed animals and clutter.  Choose machine-washable fabrics whenever possible.

5 Things You Never Thought To Do With an Organic Mattress

Organic mattresses aren’t just for sleeping anymore! Last fall, I was inspired by the “Once Upon a Mattress” episode of Glee (see #5) to check out all the fun stuff that people are doing with natural latex these days. Curious as to what I found out? Here’s a short list of the five things you never thought to do with an organic mattress. It’s amazing what people come up with when they think outside the box(spring).

1. Give yourself (and your organic mattress) a real work out
Fitness expert Laurel House has designed a killer cardio workout that you can do without leaving the comfort of your organic mattress. (That’s my type of exercise routine!) She calls it the “Cardio-Burning Quickie Workout” and recommends doing it early in the morning or, even better, before you hit the hay for the night. The key to cardio on a natural latex mattress is fast, consistent movement. Now that you don’t even have to get off your organic mattress to get your heart pumping, there’s no excuse not to add a little exercise into your daily routine.

2. Take your organic mattress on the road
Ever try to move with a non organic mattress in the south Florida heat? Just getting it through the door requires a lot of creativity and/or a team of muscular movers. And, even they can’t prevent your non organic mattress from losing its shape and disrupting its inner adhesives. Natural latex, on the other hand, is flexible and far easier to maneuver when it comes to moving day, making it a perfect match for my nomadic readers.

3. Write the next great American novel atop natural latex
Award-winning writer, Alix Ohlin, has a novel idea for budding writers: go to the (organic) mattresses. Ohlin suggests that her writing students take a trip to the local mattress store for inspiration and often assigns them the task of penning short scenes between lovers looking for a new bed (a natural latex one, of course). Got a little writer’s block of your own? Come on down to the South Florida showroom and see if our selection of organic mattresses doesn’t inspire the next big bestseller.

4. Play organic mattress dominoes
In 2009, Bensons for Beds in Britain attempted the world record for mattress dominoes! Check out their hilarious efforts here. The only thing lacking was a little more natural latex in their domino line. Anyone in the South Florida area up for setting an organic mattress domino record? Give me a call and let’s talk Guinness!

5. Let your organic mattress inspire you to bring an 80s hit back to life
In their “Once Upon a Mattress” episode, the Glee cast revived Van Halen’s 1984 hit, “Jump” by performing a dance number in a local (non organic) mattress store. So, I’m currently racking my brain for the perfect ditty to dance to on natural latex. Know any glee clubs in South Florida? I’m thinking we can give those Glee guys a little competition and show ‘em that organic mattresses are an even better way to sing the oldies.

So, what kinds of creative stuff do you do with your organic mattress? Help me bulk up my list and leave me a comment with your favorite unorthodox use for natural latex.

Baby Talk; Why Your New Addition Needs an Organic Mattress

If you’re like expectant parents I know, the news of your upcoming arrival probably delivered a mixed bag of emotions from sheer joy to sheer terror (and all the shades in between). The nine months before you meet the newest member of your family can seem like a mad dash to make sure everything is just right, down to every last detail. Yet, in the rush to get ready, many new parents pay little attention to what is, perhaps, the most important detail of all: their baby’s bed. Maybe it’s because our folks didn’t have much of a choice whereas today’s infant can take its pick between organic and non organic mattresses made of things like natural latex, wool and cotton, and even, bamboo.

Does all of this sound just about as coherent as baby talk? Shhh! Don’t cry! I’ve put together a few of the ABCs of why organic mattresses are a baby’s best friend, giving you a few less things to worry about. Read ‘em and (don’t) weep:

Why shouldn’t I bring my baby home to a non organic crib mattress?
Very few parents I know are eager to wrap their newborn in formaldehyde, styrene, and petroleum. Yet, that’s exactly what they’re doing when they lay Baby down on a non organic mattress. In order to meet fire test requirements, non organic crib mattresses are doused in a wide array of unregulated chemicals, many of which have been found to cause long-term effects on children’s neurological development. Some researchers have even found links between the chemicals used in non organic mattresses and rates of autism and attention deficit disorder.

What specific benefits does an organic mattress offer my little one?
Natural latex is derived from a tree not a factory. Therefore, when Baby is sleeping on an organic mattress made with natural latex, harmful chemicals are nowhere to be found. And, not only are natural latex mattresses free of fearsome toxins, they also resist common allergens that will irritate your baby’s airways, like mold and mildew. Plus, organic mattresses incorporating natural latex and wool will breathe better, meaning that even if your little one sweats or has a diaper disaster, they won’t be sleeping on a bacteria-harboring bed.

Can an organic mattress really help my infant sleep through the night?
Natural latex mattresses is firm and supportive without being overly resistant: a combination that prevents your baby from rolling around in its sleep. If your newborn is sleeping soundly, he or she is far less likely to end up on his or her tummy: a position that doctors and scientists link to SIDS fatalities. Furthermore, by supporting the spine and encouraging your baby’s proper alignment while slumbering, organic mattresses made with natural latex encourage deeper, healthier sleep. Exhausted Moms and Dads rejoice! Organic mattresses to the rescue!

Remember, during the first year, your baby will spend more time sleeping than doing anything else. (Unfortunately, the same is not true for you.) Forget the fancy formula, Baby Einstein videos, and elaborate crib toys. The most important thing you can buy for your bundle of joy is an organic mattress. And, while your little one is nestled atop its natural latex bed, you can be sure that you will rest a little easier, as well.

« Previous Page — Next Page »