Going green is easy in the kitchen and the bathroom, but did you ever think of going green in your bedroom? You may not spend a whole lot of time in your bedroom, but it needs some Eco-love, too! Let’s look at some ways to green your bedroom and sleep in peace, knowing you are helping the environment.
Eco-Friendly Tips for Going Green in Your Bedroom
Never use space heaters to keep yourself warm at night. Not only are they a fire hazard, but they are huge energy wasters. Most use around 1,800 W. This can make your energy bill shoot up and is unnecessary when you can keep warm with blankets.
Buy some good blinds and curtains. They will make a huge difference in how hot your room gets in the summer and how cold it gets in the winter. Some good, thick blinds can mean the difference between needing to crank the heater or air conditioner and being OK with just a Fan or a blanket.
Speaking of blankets and sheets, skip the traditional cotton. Go for bamboo bedding options or if you want to stick with cotton, try organic cotton. Organic cotton is free from pesticides and grown in a matter that is better for the environment.
Don’t buy new furniture. It is easy to find amazing pieces that were made years before by visiting flea markets and even thrift stores. “Shabby Chic” is in right now for home decor and starting with a great antique piece is what will make your bedroom stand out. Buying antique pieces is good for the environment because it keeps them out of landfills. Also, much of the new stuff produced is made with plastic/wood combinations, plus, they don’t last nearly as long as the older stuff.
When you need a new mattress, pick an organic cotton mattress to sleep on. While these still contain metal coils, they are filled with organic materials and will last just as long as non-organic cotton. One good bonus to buying an Eco-friendly mattress, is, they tend to have less dust mites over time.
If you are looking to start with small changes, switch to Eco-friendly CFL bulbs in your lighting fixtures. They will last much longer and take less energy to get the same brightness. For instance, if you use 60 W light bulbs normally, you can get a CFL that will use around 15 W.
If you decide to paint your walls, avoid paints that contain volatile organic compounds(VOCs). VOCs are solvents that get released into the air as the paint dries. You can get VOC-free paints buy just looking for it on the label.
For bedroom decor, try just decorating with found objects in nature. Make a seasonal display by going for a hike and picking up rocks, twigs, acorns, leaves and flowers. If you want something a little more durable, buy fair-trade items as they will be more likely to be made free of pesticides and with natural environment materials from the region they are crafted in.
Don’t forget to clean the green way! Use a vinegar all-purpose cleaner, dust with old clean miss-matched socks rather than throw away dusters, and use straight vinegar on your windows rather than chemicals. Here are more easy, eco-friendly cleaners that you can make.
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