With the modern focus on health and wellness, many of us are evaluating the quality and safeness of products in our homes. Bedding products can be culprits in contributing to making us sick due to harmful chemicals and components of the pillows, mattresses, and toppers. Memory foam pillows are a huge component of the bedding industry, but many individuals worry about the short- and long-term health risks associated with memory foam. Most memory foam is derived from partially natural ingredients, though it is impossible to create the memory foam we know and love without the addition of chemicals. It is important to be vigilant and informed in understanding what chemicals are in products you use, including your bedding products which are used on a daily basis.

Chemicals in Memory Foam

Unfortunately, not all memory foam is held to the same standards. There have been cases of memory foam containing loads of toxic and harmful chemicals including formaldehyde, benzene, napthalene, and isocyanates. These chemicals have been associated with extreme detriments to health including cancer, asthma, allergies, and irritation. While the industry is moving away from harmful chemicals and returning to the use of more natural ingredients, consumers need to be on the lookout for these nasty chemicals lurking in their bedding products.

Bedding and Germs

Because of the amount of time we spend with our bedding products, it makes sense that they trap a lot of germs. In fact, studies have shown that your pillow (yes, your pillow) is as germy as a toilet seat. Our pillows suck in mites, fungi, and bacteria on a regular basis. Individuals with allergies can be espeically susceptible irritating allergens and mites that get trapped in our pillows. to If we are not regularly washing and replacing bedding products, it is possible that these items may contribute to our sicknesses.

Safer Alternatives

If it's time to upgrade your pillows, mattresses, or toppers because you worry that they may be detrimental to your health, seek memory foam and fiber options that are more safe. For memory foam products, look for items that are CertiPUR-US certified like all of our memory foam products. This stringent certification is only given to memory foam products that meet a list of strict requirements including being made without: ozone depleters, mercury, lead, heavy metals, formaldehyde, PBDEs (polybrominated diphenylethers), and dangerous flame retardants. All CertiPUR-US foam is also must pass a low emissions test. If you prefer fiber filled pillows, look for pillows that are hypoallergenic and made with down alternatives. Hypoellergenic pillows utilize specialized materials that are more mild and less likely to result in allergic reactions. Finding an antimicrobial pillow or using a pillow and mattress protector are even better barriers to prevent microbes, germs, and sickness from reaching you. You spend one third of your life alseep. If you're spending that huge chunk of your life surrounded by harmful chemicals, toxins, and allergens, it may be time for a major upgrade to your bedding for the sake of your health and the health of your loved ones.

There's a lot of talk in the news, on social media, and even perhaps in your own home about sustainability and eco-friendly products. Maybe you're curious about how you can incorporate some of these ecologically-minded products into your home or maybe you just want to learn more about what's out there! Either way, eco-friendly and sustainable items have seen a huge boom over the past few years. More consumers are becoming concerned with their personal health but also the health of our planet and are reaching for more sustainable solutions for goods and services they need. A 2013 study showed that 71% of Americans consider the environment when shopping. Companies have followed suit and also become more focused on producing high quality eco-friendly products in nearly all industries. The bedding industry is no exception to this, as there has been a new focus on creating pillows, toppers, mattresses, and sheets from sustainable raw materials including bamboo, organic fibers, sap, and many others. If you've been wondering about the benefits of eco-friendly bedding products, look no further!

Eco-friendly bedding is more natural

Many consumers are turning to more natural foods and products for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons for this switch in mindset are allergies and intolerances. Worldwide, there has been a steady rise of individuals experiencing reactions to allergens in the past 50 years. Today, almost half of all school-aged children experience allergies. Consumers reach for products derived from natural ingredients because they are less likely to provide allergen irritants than those comprised of some chemicals and toxins. Bedding that does not use down feathers or harmful toxins and instead includes natural antimicrobial and hypoallergenic qualities is on the rise.

Eco-friendly and sustainable bedding is better for the earth

Eco-friendly products, by definition, are products that do not harm the earth either in production or disposal. These products reduce pollution greatly as well as reduce the manufacturer's and consumers' carbon footprint. Sustainable products are eco-friendly in that they are sourced from raw materials that regenerate, cutting down on toxicity and pollution. For example, latex foam mattresses are a bedding product that are eco-friendly and sustainable because the raw material used to create the latex foam is sap from living rubber trees. Choosing eco-friendly products over competing products on the market reflects a choice to reduce pollution and support sustainability.

Ninety-three percent of Americans say that they may or will definitely purchase eco-friendly products. With climate change prompting a renewed interest and need for ecologically-minded and friendly products, consumers can work to improve their health as well as make a beneficial choice for the earth when opting for eco-friendly and sustainable products. Consumers should be mindful when shopping for bedding products to look for eco-friendly options such as the EcoPEDIC line of bedding that provides comfort but also peace of mind knowing that the pillows, mattresses, and toppers are made in a way that is good to the earth.