The Healthy and Eco-friendly Bedroom promotes warmth, comfort and best of all rest. Shoot for making your bed your sanctuary: purchase the best-quality bed you can afford and supply it with eco-friendly linen and pillows. Your closets should be organized, and the room should be kept as dust free as possible (or pet hair free in our case).
In a best-case scenario, the following attributes would be present:
- The ideal bedroom temperature should be around 66°F. Keep in mind Children and the elderly are particularly sensitive to temperature.
- The mattress has been manufactured for maximum back support.
- To protect against dust mites, the mattress and pillow are encased in microporous covers (for allergy sufferers only).
- Wool or cotton bedding is best. It is less flammable than many synthetic fabrics and also breathes better.
- Clothes are well cared for and hung and stored in such a way as to prolong their life. Clothing that does not fit or no longer in your favorite's rotation should be recycled or donated to charity.
- Children’s sleepwear is made from approved safe fabric. Choose a fabric that is designated less flammable than others and a snug style that reduces the chance of clothing catching.
The bed
The First Beds
Dating back to prehistoric times, archeologists have found fossilized animal skins and bones used as beds. These primitive beds were rudimentary and lacked the features of modern mattresses. They were made of natural materials and provided little comfort.
Researchers believe that early humans made these beds from materials such as straw, leaves, or animal hair. The oldest of these "mattresses" dates back around 30,000 years ago. It was located in an Austrian cave and was made out of pine branches covered by animal hide.
When in Rome
In Ancient Rome, people viewed a bed as a sign of luxury and decadence. The average Roman was satisfied with a straw pallet or a thick blanket on the floor for sleeping.
However, in the home of a wealthy Roman, a bed called the lectus was common. A lectus was a sizable, ornate bed that took up a lot of space. The wealthy nobles of Rome also had a history of making their beds on couches with wooden or ivory frames.
Wealthy Romans slept elevated above the ground, often on a raised wooden platform. In addition to various forms of coarse mattresses, their bedding might have included pillows and covers made of linen.
Sleep Like an Egyptian
The Egyptians supposedly created the first modern mattress, which they filled with dried reeds, grasses, and other plant material. The Egyptian pharaohs had very elaborate beds – each one had a headboard, footboard, canopy drapes, and pillows with comforters underneath.
These components of an Egyptian bed could be changed as needed depending on the season or weather conditions.
The Story Behind Egyptian Cotton Sheets
The history of bedding accessories goes way back, with some everyday items even dating to ancient Egypt. These include Egyptian cotton sheets, which you've probably seen on a mattress in a fancy hotel.
These types of sheets were first made over 4000 years ago. Weavers combined coarse cotton fibers to make strands, then repeated the process with more delicate threads. The process of making cotton sheets in Egypt evolved over the centuries, and these sheets eventually became softer and smoother.
Types of Beds Throughout History
We are sharing this becasue it is very interesting to us, and most people don't really think about its evolution. Let's look at some of the most popular beds of the last few centuries.
The Bedstead
A bedstead is a simple frame on which you can place a mattress. This type of bed was popular during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. Bedsteads were often made out of wood or metal and had intricate designs carved into them.
Bed frames began to be popular in 12th century Europe when they were initially made out of wood. Cast-iron bed frames became all the rage in the 18th century due to their durability and ability to resist rusting.
Metal frames also became popular in the United States during the industrial revolution. These beds were mass-produced to meet the needs of a growing population.
Headboards and footboards also started to become more common during this time, as they provided added comfort.
The Canopy Bed
Canopy beds were popular during the Baroque period (17-18th centuries) — people of these eras commonly decorated them with silk or velvet, so it’s not surprising that these beds were often embellished with expensive ornamentation such as gold leaf.
Typically canopy, beds have four-poster frames with drapes hanging from them. These drapes usually get closed at night, historically to keep insects away from people while they slept as well as to provide privacy or block out light.
The Couch Bed or Sofa Sleeper
The sofa sleeper or couch bed has stuck around throughout the last several centuries. This type of bed was common in French palaces during the 17th century. It featured a mattress on top of two large cushions laid against walls or placed between existing furniture pieces for support.
A canopy suspended over the couch helped provide shade from sunlight. This shade also allowed people inside to look out through windows built into the structure. The couch-bed design made this style of bedroom ideal for entertaining guests, mainly because it allowed many friends and family members to stay overnight in comfort. With a couch bed, guests wouldn't take up as much space indoors as they would with standard beds.
The Daybed
Daybeds are smaller versions of regular beds, with many similar features. Originating in Europe in the late Middle Ages, daybeds were typically placed in gardens for resting outside. Early daybeds also had footboards with storage space underneath for extra bedding.
A daybed was a couch or sofa usually placed in a bedroom. This placement allowed people to sit during the day and sleep on the bed during nighttime hours. This type of bed became very popular among wealthy families; it could serve as both an extra seat and be used by guests who needed a place to sleep at night.
The Waterbed
Waterbeds were first invented in 1897. However, these beds did not become popular until the latter half of the 20th century. In 1897, an early waterbed-like device called the "Electric Mattress" became available for purchase at $200.
Waterbeds did enjoy a window of popularity during the 70s and 80s. However, they've mostly fallen out of style since then.
The Futon
The history of futons traces these beds back to Japan. A futon is a Japanese-style bed typically used on the floor. It can be folded away when not in use.
The futon originated during the Edo period in Japan (1603-1868), when it became a place to sleep, meditate, or pray. Futons have been made from different materials over the years, including straw, cotton, and silk.
The Air Mattress
Modern futons became mainstream outside of Japan in the 1970s. Air mattresses followed the futon's introduction to the global market in the 1980s.
Air mattresses were extremely popular during the 80s. These inflatable beds became staples in many homes. The transitional nature of air mattresses has helped them retain some of their popularity over the years. However, some people see them as more of a fad than a real innovation to sleeping technology.
Memory Foam Mattresses
In the early 1900s, a new type of mattress was born – the memory foam mattress. This mattress contains a specialized material that returns to its original shape.
This type of mattress was originally designed in the 1960s. However, it wasn't until the early 1990s that it became available to consumers. Since then, it has become one of the most popular mattresses on the market.
Does Memory Foam Live Up to the Hype?
While memory foam still has some popularity, it's not all it's cracked up to be. Back sleepers may find memory foam comfortable enough for them, but side sleepers often experience discomfort on even the softest memory foam mattresses.
The primary issue with memory foam for side sleepers is a lack of support for weight-bearing parts of the body like the neck, spine, and shoulders.
Your bed should be neither too soft nor too hard. A slatted wood base with a quality mattress, such as a spring mattress made from natural fibers or a futon, is recommended. Slatted wooden or metal bases provide better air circulation than divans; it is also easier to clean under a raised bed.
A divan bed has a base with a solid-sided frame, sometimes incorporating drawers and storage. It may be fitted with springs and padding and be covered with fabric. The mattress sits on top.
Bedding
Today’s typical well-dressed bed wears several layers of bed clothes. First, the mattress is protected by a mattress cover (which also provides some extra comfort) and a bottom sheet. Over the occupant lies a top sheet. For warmth, one or two blankets and/or a duvet are placed over the sheet. Both sheets are washable, and they prevent the other bedclothes from getting soiled or irritating the sleeper. A bedspread or cover protects the whole arrangement during the day.
Allergy alert: dust mites
Beds are breeding grounds for household dust mites (see our post about the Healthy House), which love the warmth, moisture, and constant supply of skin flakes produced by a sleeping body. If you are sensitive to mites, you may find that respiratory problems or even eczema rashes worsen at night. By trying some of the following steps, your symptoms may ease.
- Try barrier covers, designed to prevent you from coming into contact with the mite allergen. They are fitted over mattresses and pillows. The old-fashioned ones are made of plastic, which can make a night’s sleep damp and uncomfortable as your body’s sweat cannot pass through the cover.
- Modern covers are made from a soft, microporous material that allows water and air to permeate it. Covers that are impregnated with acaricide (a specialized pesticide that kills acarids such as mice and ticks) are also available.
-
Launder bedding frequently to reduce dust and kill dust mites. Experts recommend washing sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers weekly in hot water (132.8°F or above) to kill dust mites. If you prefer not to wash in hot water—perhaps for environmental reasons—or have bed linen that cannot be washed at 132.8°F, add a mite-killing chemical such as benzyl benzoate to the wash and give the linen an extra rinse.
Furniture
To reduce the amount of dust on furniture, keep the number of pieces in the bedroom to a minimum.
- Regularly vacuum under the bed.
- Damp dust furniture and decorative items, and keep the tops of tall furniture free of dust.
- To make cleaning easier, choose easy-to-move pieces with a minimum of detailing.
- Keep the doors and drawers of armoires and chests closed.
- Remember that upholstered furniture encourages dust mites.
- Keep curtains dust-free by, for example, regularly vacuuming them or, if possible, washing them every three months at 132.8°F or above.
Flooring
Consider removing the carpets and instead install wooden floors (or another hard surface) and a washable rug.
If you choose carpet, vacuum it thoroughly every week.
Ventilation
Open windows, air blankets and the duvet, and air the bed by pulling down the covers and leaving it for an hour or so before making the bed again.
Vapors
Do not hang newly dry-cleaned clothes in your bedroom. Do not smoke.
Avoid using hairspray or other strong-smelling toiletries. Keep pets out of your bedroom (penalty on us).
Be wary of new curtains, upholstery, and floor finishes, all of which can out-gas chemicals.
Babies’ nurseries and bedding
While our best intentions are always at the forefront in preparing a room for a new baby, we may introduce new hazards: new surfaces may include paints and varnishes, and curtains and carpets can emit numerous gases. Ensure there is excellent ventilation in a newly decorated room and try to furnish it well before it needs to be used. Know that babies are already at a disadvantage when it comes to toxins and allergies.
When buying a crib, new or second-hand, make sure it meets all current standards.
- The mattress should be firm and clean and exactly the right size for the crib—a baby can become trapped in gaps.
- The waterproof mattress protector must be a strong and tight fit.
A good night’s rest
To ensure the best possible night’s sleep, consider these tips.
Temperature: We sleep best between the relatively cool temperatures of 55.4°F and 66.2°F. The elderly and the very young may need a slightly warmer room. If you are too hot or too cold, you may sleep fitfully. Make sure you have the right weight covers. If you find you feel cold in the early hours of the morning, pulling up a second blanket from the bottom of the bed is probably all you need.
The right bedding: Are you someone who feels cozier under a heavy pile of blankets? Or do you prefer the lightest of light quilts? the state of your sheets may not make the slightest bit of difference to you, but it’s worth making yourself as comfortable as possible. Check out the sheet fabric; perhaps you’ll sleep better with cotton sheets. Consider whether your laundry detergent could be causing you irritation.
There are a number of other considerations for creating the Healthy and Ecofriendly Bedroom. Keep an ey out for future posts that share tips on Clothing, Jewelry.
We wish you a peaceful and restful night's sleep!