Sleep Healthy

'Tis the Season to Save with Savvy Rest

Guest Blogger: Michael Earnheart, Rhode Island Showroom Manager

Savvy Rest is known for offering the most options, appealing to the most people and offering a rock-solid warranty, so we are proud to offer a special EXTRA discount to customers throughout the month of December. This discount is so great, we can’t even tell you what it is online, and it’s ONLY available in-person and in-showroom. Our most recent Savvy Rest customers are absolutely thrilled that they waited until now to get some significant extra savings, which, we can all agree upon, is helpful during the holidays!

For those of you that aren’t aware, Savvy Rest is a leading manufacture of fine organic mattresses, using pure organic cotton, organic wool and 100% natural latex. You’ll not find a trace of any chemicals in these materials! In addition to their commitment to organic standards, they’re well-aware people come in all shapes and sizes and have different needs. This is why Savvy Rest has layers, allowing for every person to have a mattress that will suit their needs.

"After waaayyy too much research I purchased a Savvy Rest natural latex mattress…We chose the Serenity model with dunlop top: soft, middle: med, and bottom: firm. It is heaven." — Facebook fan D. Roy

With seven showrooms open now and an eighth opening Monday, December 20 – in Austin, Texas - be sure to stop in and take advantage of this incredible offer, because when it’s over, it’s OVER!

Until next time, Sleep Healthy.

New to You: The Clean Bedroom's Newest Additions

Guest blogger: Sam, Kittery, ME Showroom Manager

Whew! We’ve been moving and shaking in our Kittery, Maine showroom – and our beautiful new corporate offices means more space for me (Sam, the Kittery Showroom Manager) to fill up with great new products! We received our new Maple Corner Woodworks 4-Post Bed a few weeks ago and fell in love before it was even assembled. The warm cherry wood, graceful lines, and beautiful construction of this bed are truly striking. I put it together myself (I am woman – hear me roar!) and can vouch that every joint, screw, and peg is expertly engineered and crafted!

We had decided ahead of time that only one mattress could do our new 4-Post Bed justice: the Green Sleep Dolcezza. Picture it: three layers of pure, supportive Malaysian latex topped with a soft pillowtop made with a fourth latex layer and that famous Texel wool. Heaven. (Is it a coincidence that this is called the “Ergo Hevea” Dolcezza? I think not!) I’ve been doing quite a bit of “product research” at work lately (a.k.a. taking naps) and have decided I’m totally in love with the firmer side of our Dolcezza. Pure bliss!

After demonstrating that I am, in fact, capable of assembling furniture (shh… nobody tell my fiancé – it’s so much easier when he does it!) I was put to the task of assembling not one, but two more beds for our showroom. The sage green of our new “Beach House Bed” looks gorgeous in our corner window, and the geometric lines of the barn-red “Porch Rail Bed” are clean, interesting, and unique. Both have a classic New England feel, perfect for that old farmhouse we all secretly wish we own (and which a lot of my Kittery clients actually do own!) The two beds are tied together perfectly our new, rich-blue-with-cherry-accents dresser. My clothes would be honored to reside in such a well-made home (fancy new dresser = excuse to go shopping for new clothes? Hmm…)!

We’ve received two more fascinating products in the last few weeks: the Sleep and Beyond Washable Wool Mattress Pad and the Sleep and Beyond Washable Wool Topper. That’s right, folks – ask and you shall receive. We’ve been hearing the cry for a washable wool topper for years now, but couldn’t find one that met our (yes, we admit it) stringent requirements. Behold – a topper that’s comfortable, affordable, and washable! The mattress pad is roughly half as thick as the topper, so it offers an amazing amount of padding all on its own. I’m so excited to showcase them in Kittery! That sums up the new arrivals around here – come on down, test them out, and let us know what else you’ve been searching for!

Greening Our Children

Guest blogger: Suzanne Roberts, Westport Showroom Manager

When we were invited to participate in the Mount Sinai Children’s Environmental Health Center “Greening Our Children” luncheon, we were immediately struck by the similarities of our missions:  theirs, to discover the causes of childhood diseases induced by the environment and ours, to assist in cleaning up the environment surrounding those kids, especially in the room where they spend such a large portion of their time – the bedroom. 

As the chosen representative for The Clean Bedroom, on the appointed day I eagerly set out for the The Hyatt Regency Hotel in Greenwich, CT,  found my way to the Green Expo area where all the vendors were set up, and the professional networking began!

From a green kitchen renovator, a water filtration & purification system, an organic bed bug remover and a lovely smelling laundry detergent, the products were amazing  There were companies from across the country as well as many who were local. The general consensus between us was that we could be doing better to educate the public and should be working together to direct customers to the products that best suit their healthy living needs. Teamwork in greening our world is the way to go!

The main discussion point at the luncheon was chemicals and the fact that, out of 80,000 known chemicals, only 200 are tested for toxicity - yet pesticides and pharmaceuticals are tested. Senior Senator Frank Lautenberg of NJ spoke about the ban on smoking on airlines and raising the drinking age (both championed by him), and how in NJ 1 in 49 males are autistic. Last year, he introduced The Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 (S. 847), aimed at taking meaningful steps to protect American families from harmful chemicals. Dr Philip Landrigan, a renowned pediatrician and epidemiologist at Mt. Sinai then spoke regarding the 78% rise in autism in the last 10 years - 1 in 88 children are autistic on a national level! He then went on to discuss how chemicals affect the learning process of our children and potentially cause infertility in women.

All in all, this was a fascinating learning experience for the hundreds of people attending, as well as for me.  I was thrilled to be able to network with other businesses who share the same vision, meet people trying to green up their lives and, back at work, share all the information with my co-workers at The Clean Bedroom.

Looking forward to the next opportunity we have to partner with CEHC. Also, a sincere congratulations goes out to Senator Lautenberg’s daughter, Ellen, who won the Naturepedic organic mattress we donated to the cause!

Beware Natural Wolves in Organic Sheep's Clothing

Guest Blogger: Michael Earnheart, Rhode Island Showroom Manager

Organic is a term that conjures up feelings of greenness, sustainability and whole body health. It is, without a doubt, well linked to all of those feelings, but often confusion sets in when trying to understand exactly what organic is and how it applies across the board regarding materials in our products.

It is important when looking at materials, for The Clean Bedroom specifically -- cotton, wool and latex – to understand how the term organic applies to these materials.

A resulting crop, be it apples or raw latex milk can only be organic if the farming practices are. To grow organically, farms must stick to a strict set of rules regarding how their crops are cultivated. Chemical fertilizers, pesticides or artificial growth agents are strictly forbidden; crops must root and flourish on their own.

What about livestock? Since organic wool is used in a large amount of the products we carry, we closely examine our lines to make sure they are adhering to organic standards or are upfront about being natural rather than organic.

The difference in the case of organic wool and natural wool is the diet of the sheep (or alpacas!), if the diet of the animal is organic and it is not exposed to antibiotics or other outside chemical agents, the material can wholly be labeled as organic. If the diet is not organic, the wool cannot be labeled organic; natural would be the appropriate term.

Consequently, this difference has sparked a huge amount of controversy and libelous accusations pop up all over the Internet about “some companies” touting a product as organic when it is not. Sometimes it is true; sometimes it is not – yet the importance of highlighting differences between the terms is incredible and we go through great lengths to ensure we are clear as possible regarding our products.

If you are ever unsure about whether or not a product is organic, ask. It’s a label that people often proudly wear and most vendors are forthwith in supplying you with proof of certification.

Until next time, Sleep Healthy.

Resources:

Organic Trade Association

 

 

What's up with down?

Guest Blogger: Michael Earnheart, Rhode Island Showroom Manager

There is no doubt about down feathers – they are a fine thermal insulator and great for adding puff and padding, but part of the problem with down is the eventual flattening that occurs with the loft of a comforter or pillow.

It is not uncommon for a once light, resilient and wonderfully supportive pillow and duvet to lose its loft. It is an inevitable deterioration due to age and compression from constant use.

The most debilitating part of having down bedding is in the long term. As down feathers age, they tend to become more concentrated with allergens, due to contamination from mold because of exposure to moisture. Dust mites are also a primary concern, because of their rapid reproduction and ability to thrive in various environments. Contrary to popular belief, allergic reactions that occur are because of the aforementioned very common irritants and not the feathers, as supported by the 1998 Finnish research study by K. Kilpiö.

The Clean Bedroom offers an excellent solution to those who have a love-hate relationship with their down bedding – a hypoallergenic down comforter.

Hypodown is a blend of clustered Syriaca or milkweed and goose feathers. The true benefit of this combination is that Syriaca is a natural fiber that dust mites do not like. In addition to the inherent dust mite resistance of the fiber, Syriaca also has a natural filtering property that traps and suppresses dust and dander, keeping the allergen properties of down feathers at bay.

I recommend the Harvester Hypodown. Its unbleached, chemical-free 312 thread count fabric makes it soft to the touch, but not as silky and slick as a sateen weave. Classic loft tends to be more than acceptable for all-around climates, cold winters. I would reserve a recommendation for an arctic loft for only those who are extremely sensitive to cold or for a region that experiences excessively frigid temperatures during the winter season.

It is important to note that there are special cleaning considerations that must be taken into account when getting this comforter laundered and that taking note of these instructions will provide decades of comfort and warmth.

And that’s what’s up with down!

 

Vlog: Naturepedic Quilted Organic Cotton Deluxe Mattress

Guest Blogger: Michael Earnheart, Rhode Island Showroom Managaer

There are easy ways to pinch-pennies and still have a great quality organic mattress, take a look at our Naturepedic Quilted Organic Cotton Deluxe Mattress. 

This mattress features a great medium-firm support with a brilliant, simply-engineered fire supression system that also makes this mattress incredibly hypoallergenic. 

With an attractive entry-level price point and premium quality construction, this mattress is a strong contender in the organic mattress world.

Please take a look a the video below for more:

 

Out with the Bad Air, in with the Austin Air

Guest Blogger: Michael Earnheart, Wickford, RI Showroom Manager

Your sleeping environment is your sanctuary, but what happens when it starts to become a harbinger of an assortment of sensory ills, robbing you from your essential rest?

From coughing and dry throat to congestion and sneezing, these annoyances may not seem significant, but for some people they can be debilitating repellents for a good night’s rest.

Because allergy season is just around the corner and last week the National Sleep Foundation sponsored its annual Sleep Awareness Week, now is the time to consider an air filtration system.

But what size do I need? What level of filtration is adequate? These are all valid questions and The Clean Bedroom offers a variety of filtration systems to cater to the mildly agitating to the most egregious of chemical sensitivities.

No allergy or sensitivity is too small to ignore, if you have the opportunity to remove what ails you, it is important to do so.

 Your sleep is critical to your success, your attitude and your productivity. Things such as cooking gasses, odors from mold, dust particles, animal dander and even dry cleaning chemicals can disturb your rest, causing much undue stress in your life as a result from non-replenishing sleep.

 In our Wickford, Rhode Island showroom, we have a Bedroom Machine running constantly, our showroom visitors immediately remark on the freshness and cleanness of the air inside, it also prohibits excessive amounts of dust from circulating around the showroom.

 As a preliminary suggestion, we invite you to look at our National Sleep Foundation Bedroom Machine by Austin Air
. It is a veritable titan in the arena of air filtration system. Featuring a five-stage filter system, removing all of the common irritants, in addition to gasses, odors and noxious airborne chemicals, this machine will produce the cleanest air and may change your sleep and increase the quality of it.

 

Your Chemical Mattress

Guest Blogger: Michael Earnheart, Wickford RI Showroom Manager

 

You're sleeping on a chemical plant.

I hate to say it, but that is the truth. If you are on a conventional mattress, you are literally sleeping on a chemical plant. Yet, to offer full disclosure, the reason why there are chemicals in your mattress in the first place is to prevent your mattress from bursting into flames. What may be safety-conscious in one light, is hazardous in another. That is why natural and organic mattress manufacturers use wool as the flame retardadents -- to cut out the chemical coverings.

These chemicals are absorbed through our skin and by breathing in the off gassing vapors. Doctors agree that long term, close proximity exposure to these volatile compounds is hazardous to our health and has been linked to a slew of different illnesses. 

Many people with multiple chemical sensitivities have sought refuge with organic mattresses because they are free from the petroleum based compounds, PDBE (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), pesticides and formaldehyde.

 What organic means exactly is one-hundred percent natural, untreated and free of any man-made products that enhance of suppress any of the product's naturally occurring qualities. Organic mattresses are made of organic cotton, natural latex and/or organic wool, which contain no artificial dyes, bleaches, oils and are not artificially softened. The raw materials are washed with water and natural soaps – and that is it.

If you are suffering while trying to sleep, then you are not getting a healthy, regenerative rest. The first place to start is to get yourself a organic pillow or natural pillow. Consider the fact you are resting your head on this throughout the night. At the very least, you will be breathing in less chemicals, because of the materials in your pillow are organically derived.

The true freedom from chemical sensitivity is to find an organic mattress that suits you, paired with a great air filtration system, such as the Austin Air Healthmate+, made specifically for people with chemical sentitivities, you will be afforded the most restful and healthy night's sleep you can get.

The Clean Bedroom offers a substantial amount of organic bedding, natural and organic mattresses that will address a variety of chemical sensitivity issues. Explore our website or drop us a message and we will be happy to find a perfect fit for your specific needs.

Rest chemical free, rest healthy – rest better at The Clean Bedroom.

 

Exercise Some Wool Power

Guest Blogger: Michael Earnheart, Wickford, RI Showroom Manager

The temperatures have dropped considerably (except for you lucky folks in Florida!) and it is important to keep yourself warm during the coldest parts of year, so ditch the Snuggie™ and use something that has been around for thousands of years...wool!

Not just any wool either, good, old-fashioned organic wool. Before the advent of modern pesticides and creepy growth hormones, things were done very simply and The Clean Bedroom does the best job it can to bring you an abundance of organic wool.

Organic wool also has lanolin, a substance secreted through the microscopic sebaceous glands of the sheep, this particular substance has inherent dust-mite repellent properties, so it is a natural defense for those suffering from dust-mite allergies.

For those conscious of bacteria and germs, fear not, organic wool is antimicrobial. Even if there is an accident there will be no odor or mildew, since bacteria cannot grow. This is especially helpful for young children and older adults with urinary continence issues – no need to cover your mattress in some noisy, uncomfortable plastic sheet.

I know what you are all thinking: “Wool? Like that itchy-sweater my grandmother gave me when I was a kid?” Even though that sweater made you itch like nothing else, it kept you incredibly warm without making you sweat. This is because wool has a very unique attribute, it is a natural temperature regulatory material. It keeps you warm throughout the winter and prevents you from overheating in summer because of its renowned moisture wicking properties.

Take a look these products and experience the amazing qualities of wool yourself:

• For you pillow flippers out there, stop spending your time looking for the cool side of the pillow. An organic wool-lined pillow like the Natura DreamMate will keep your head and neck cool and the added bonus of the shredded talalay latex filling gives you fantastic support.

• The Clean Bedroom has completely remade the Naturally Organic Euro-Tufted Mattress using all-wool batting. Wool makes this mattress a little softer, so you have that good, solid support you need, but it feels like it has a cloudy topper built into the mattress. Now that it is made with all organic wool, it is completely dust-mite proof and has the added softness people like.

• Naturally Organic also has meticulously crafted organic comforters, made from all organic wool and encased in a 100% organic cotton covering. They are available in summer and all-season weights. The expert stitching on these comforters prevent bunching and flattening. These are really the true test of temperature regulation and will keep you perspiration-free, while keeping you in deep, R.E.M. sleep with truly peerless comfort.

Keep the 12,000 year-old tradition alive and use organic wool, you shall be truly surprised at its versatility, durability and most importantly, comfort.

Good Gracious! Great Green Gifts 2010

Guest Blogger: Michael Earnheart, Wickford RI Showroom Manager

Faster than you ever thought possible, the holiday season is here and with 29 days left until Christmas it is just the right time to get your shopping underway.

 At The Clean Bedroom, we are all about the green! I have taken the liberty to come up with five holiday gift ideas that will warm the heart and fill up the cups of joy!

1. Under the Nile Organic Cotton Blanket: You are really not going to find a more comfortable, warm and wrap-up-able blanket than this! The Under the Nile Organic Cotton blanket is made from 100% organic Egyptian cotton and is exquisitely soft to the touch. It is so popular, in fact, that it has been voted “Best Blanket in the World” by Esquire magazine. I plan my route around the showroom so I get to touch this blanket, that is how great it is! You have to have one!

2. Natura DreamMate: This pillow is tops! I love my kapok pillow, but this one is a wonderful contender! It is filled with shredded talalay latex, so it is super soft and the outer cover is made from wool so, it has natural wicking properties to keep your skin cool and temperature regulated. A lot of people feel it mimics the properties of a down pillow without the dreadful allergic side-effects. This one is an absolute winner for anyone!

3. Loop Organic Cotton Sheet Sets: I have to say I really love our Loop sheet sets. The colors are just great, especially that chocolate-brown, it has such an wonderfully rich, earthy tone to it and it is offset so nicely by seafoam green. They also have a simple, yet tasteful piping on the pillow shams which really ties the design together and makes for a nice finished look when the whole set is made on the bed. These sheets are very soft, extremely durable and will last many years to come.

4. Coyuchi Organic Flannel Pajamas: Warm up this holiday season and all through the cold months with a set of Coyuchi Organic Flannel Pajamas. These PJ's are made from twill-woven organic cotton and feature really nice coconut shell buttons, to add a dash of earthiness to the ivory tone. There is a small amount of piping tracing the around the sleeve cuff, around the waist and at the pant cuff, which adds a little bit of depth to the a clean set of pajamas you can lounge around in all season.

5. Ogallala Body Gift Sets: Once you are through the rude wind's wild lament and the bitter weather, why not soak into a hot bath, with all-natural salt scrubs and soaps? Nothing will treat your body better than the scent of lavender, to calm the muscles. Invigorate the senses with the boldness of grapefruit and Mediterranean cypress or root yourself in the earthen scents of sandalwood, a truly divine aroma.

All of these gifts can be had from The Clean Bedroom and will be sure to green the lives of the loved ones you give them to. Indulge yourself and others into luxurious, but affordable gifts sure to bring smiles to all.