Eating a healthy diet and living in a healthy environment is crucial for your health. People have recently started understanding the dangers of toxic cleaning products and dryer sheets and are avoiding putting them in their home, but rarely anyone is aware of the dangers that lurk in our bedroom, where we spend almost a third of our lives.
You should make your bedroom cancer-free and clean. That is difficult and not to mention expensive, so start with small things and work your way up slowly. Every little change you make will have a positive impact on your health. It depends on you about how you will begin. Some people start by replacing their mattresses, while others start with the bedding.
These are cancer-causing things you have to improve into your bedroom ASAP:
Replace your pillow cases and pillows with organic materials – most of the people believe that cotton is much safer than synthetics, however, cotton uses 25% of the world’s insecticides and 14% of pesticides. Replace your cotton bedding with organic materials if you can afford it.
Purchase an air cleaner – portable air cleaners can be taken from room to room. You can get ne with HEPA filtration, but make sure it does not contain ozone.
Remove or replace all artificial fabrics from your bedding, closet, and bedroom – thermoplastics is used for making synthetic materials. When heated, it releases plastic molecules, thus if you are wearing wrinkle-free clothes, then you breathe in dangerous formaldehydes. Replace these with organic materials.
Remove any drapes or shades which are being chemically treated – they are full with dust, allergens, and pollen, thus replace them with organic alternatives. However, if this is too expensive for you, barter with a friend who can sew curtains. A great alternative are wood blinds. You may consider those trapped between the glass.
Cover or replace your mattresses – if you want to live in a healthier environment you have to do this, even though it is hard. Most of the mattresses are sprayed with flame retardants and chemicals which can cause health issues. If you cannot afford replacing your mattresses, wrap it in a foil barrier cloth that can be purchased online.
Minimize electrical devices – they disrupt sleeping, thus avoid putting any electric devices into your bedroom.
Remove or replace artificial clothes in your closet – coal, oil, or natural gas are the basis of most synthetic fabrics. The liquid is spread through holes of a nozzle named a spinneret, emerging as instantly cooled to form small threads woven to create a fabric. In order to make them more durable, a layer of Teflon is being added. Over time, synthetic clothing can become very dangerous, thus you should replace it with organic materials.
Remove faux fabric/furniture – replace any pieces of furniture made from artificial leather with organic materials, as the artificial ones contain PVC that is considered to be the most dangerous fabric. It is made more flexible using phthalates that disrupt the endocrine system. Those pillows and cushions resistant to water are sprayed with toxic chemicals that can cause many health issues.
Shoe-free zone – have a pair of indoor and outdoor shoes in order to avoid letting contaminants inside. Buy a tray for shoes and put it by your door, changing your shoes when you enter your home.
Use No-VOC paint – use non volatile organic compounds safer for the environment when you pain your room. Once VOCs vaporize in the air, they start reacting with other elements, producing ozone that pollutes the air and causes problems with the respiratory system.
Remove accent/throw rugs – tile and wood floors are easy to be cleaned and are better for asthma patients. Many people put rugs in the bedroom, however, it collects dirt, dust mites, and allergies that can cause problems. The rugs are made of polyester, produced with antimony, a toxic chemical that may be fatal. Olefin and nylon can be used for making rugs, too.
Remove particle boards and MDF – Furniture that contains MDF is very dangerous. The material is made from softened and powdered shredded wood combined with resin and bonding agents compacted into solid boards. MDF also contains formaldehyde that can harm your respiratory system.
Particle boards are also full of formaldehyde which has been linked to different types of cancer. How Stuff Works says that they reduce their toxicity by 25% in 2 months and 50% in a year, and from there, they release toxic materials for the next 10 years! Instead of MDF furniture or particle boards, try finding solid wood, glass or metal tables and desks.