You spend 1/3 of your life in your bed. It should be a solitary place of relaxation and peace. What most people don’t know is that it may actually be a place full of chemicals, dirt, and small creatures. Most beds contain dust mites, chemicals that are hazardous to humans, and various other harmful things. It is pretty scary when you know what could be lurking in your bed. Don’t worry though because there are ways to make your bed a clean and relaxing place that is good for you and the environment.

Here is how you can make your bed eco-friendly:

1. Buy a platform bed frame. Not only do they look pretty sweet, but they also use fewer materials than traditional bed frames. The frame requires fewer trees and does not require a box spring. You can even get them made from eco-friendly materials such as bamboo and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood. Crate & Barrel has the Bento line of platform beds made from bamboo. They also contain no nails, which uses less material, or glue, which can be harmful to your health.

• BeMooreGreen Tip: If your bed frame does use glue, make sure it is non-toxic.

2. Buy a PBDE-free mattress. PBDE’s (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) are used as flame retardants in many mattresses today and are a health hazard to humans. Ikea mattresses contain no PBDE’s.

3. Buy eco-friendly pillows. Try to find pillows made with eco-friendly materials such as bamboo and organic cotton. They should contain no chemicals, which is much better for you.

4. Buy eco-friendly sheets, blankets, and pillowcases. If you are sleeping with cotton sheets and blankets then you are sleeping with all the pesticides and chemicals that the cotton was drenched in when it was being grown. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure that can’t be good for you.

Bed, Bath, & Beyond has a neat selection of bamboo sheets and pillowcases. Target also has bamboo sheets and organic sheets as well as 40% bamboo pillowcases. You can also find bamboo pillowcases and bamboo sheets on Amazon. The bamboo sheets have a slightly silky feel to them, which feels nice on your skin.

5. Destroy the Dust Mites. Dust mites are tiny bugs that live and feed on dead skin cells that shed off of humans and animals. They can cause allergic reactions, headaches, and, for some people, asthma . Here are some ways you can kick those dust mites to the curb:

• If you can afford them, use eco-friendly dust mite covers for your mattress and pillows. Allergybuyersclub.com sells handpicked organic cotton dust mite covers that are unbleached, undyed, non-toxic, chemical free, and contain no flame retardants.

• Wash your sheets and covers every two weeks. Strip your bed down and put everything in the washing machine to get rid of dead skin and dust mites. Be sure to use hot water to make sure those dust mites are dead.

• Vacuum your mattress. While your sheets are in the washing machine, get out the vacuum and clean off your mattress. It does not take that long and it will make your mattress ready for some fresh and clean sheets.
  • BeMooreGreen Tip: Make sure you are using a vacuum that has a HEPA filter to keep the air clean!

• Use the sun. Sunlight will kill dust mites so why not open those shades and let the sun in?
  • BeMooreGreen Tip: The light you let in from the sun will also brighten up your room so you won’t need to turn on the lights and use energy!

• Air it out. Dust mites like moist areas so open up the windows, throw the sheets back, and let your bed air out every day.

6. Clean your feet before you go to bed. If you don’t take your shoes off at the front door then you track dirt throughout the house. Whatever was on the bottom of your shoes falls off onto the floor and when you walk around barefoot, it collects back onto your feet. When you hop into bed at night that dirt falls off onto your bed and now you are sleeping in who knows what. Try to keep the floor clean and wipe your feet down with water before bed.