Most people try to make themselves more environmentally friendly with big investments like hybrid vehicles or they improve their recycling habits.
These have a huge impact, but it has just as much impact if you go through your house, room by room, and try to make each room more sustainable.
Let’s start with the bedroom, my favourite place!
For bedroom Sustainability follow these tips & tricks:
1. Buy a green mattress.
Let’s start with the centerpiece of your bedroom the bed.
Consider upgrading your mattress to a “green” mattress, which is made from sustainable organic materials. These mattresses rely on plant-based and natural materials, which many people find more comfortable. They’re biodegradable, so they won’t produce much waste when you’re done with them and they are made with less intensive manufacturing processes. Consider bamboo pillows and mattresses; better for you and the planet!
2. Buy sustainable and ethical Bedlinen
Consider upgrading your sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers to bamboo. Bamboo may seem like a strange choice of material for bed sheets, but it’s an incredibly versatile plant. Bamboo sheets are soft, and have a lightweight feel, so you’ll be comfortable with them. In addition, bamboo bedding is hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. Best of all, they’re produced using environmentally friendly processes and transparent manufacturing, so you know exactly what’s gone into your duvet cover and pillowcases. Make sure your bedlinen is ethically produced, do some research and find a source for your sheets and pillowslips that has some information on the factory where the bedding is produced, this will help you sleep with a clear conscience!
3. Buy locally sourced clothing and sleepwear.
All bedrooms are furnished with a wardrobe, some are really large, where we store most of our clothing. If you buy your clothing from a large department store, you probably don’t realise you’re sourcing artificial materials from all over the world. If you want to make a smaller environmental impact and “support local” at the same time, consider buying locally sourced clothing and sleepwear from stores that are local to you. Clothing and sleepwear that is made of natural fibres, like bamboo, cotton and linen is also best, not only for you, but for the environmental impact.
4. Install energy efficient bulbs.
If you haven’t already, try to convert all your bedroom lights to LEDs. Incandescent bulbs and Fluorescent bulbs use less energy, but LEDs are the best choice for your money. Most people end up preferring the bright, pure white light that LEDs produce anyway, resulting in a better atmosphere for your home. Using less energy also saves you money!
5. Use safe cleaning products.
When we clean your bedrooms we often use cleaning products that contain harsh chemicals that aren’t good for the environment, ourselves, or our pets. Try using natural cleaning products or ones that you can create yourself from natural ingredients; white vinegar is a great alternative.
6. Upcycle your décor.
Your bedroom should be a place that reflects your taste and personality, but décor can be both more landfill and expensive. Instead of wasting money on environmentally impactful pieces, consider upcycling old items and infusing them with a dash of your own creativity; for example, you could paint an old dark piece of wooden furniture white or grey which will change the look and modernise your room.
Buy second hand furniture where possible. Every new piece of furniture you buy puts a burden on the environment, both because of the materials that new furniture demands and because of the shipping costs of getting the furniture to your location. Whenever you can, buy your furniture used; look at charity stores and garage sales if you’re interested in striking the best deal. A little paint and polish can take care of any scuffs and scratches, and many antique pieces of furniture can add charm to your bedroom.
The only thing you don’t buy second hand is a mattress!
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