Is your pillow harming your health?
If you are getting your eight hours of sleep a night, then you spend about one third of your life sleeping.
Snuggled up on our pillows, dreaming…… breathing………….. in….. what?
Have you ever really thought about what you are inhaling, night after night?
What about fungi or mould, dust mites, flame retardants, formaldehyde, polyester, acetate and antimicrobial compounds such as Microbian or Allerban? Of course there is also sweat, drool and skin flakes to consider too!
“From memory loss to headaches, depressions to itchy eyes, an array of health problems can arise from exposure to seemingly innocent bedroom objects. Most mattresses and pillows, for example, are filled with chemical-drenched synthetic fibers such as polyurethane foam that release chemicals into the air for years; these airborne toxins can cause headaches and nausea, and even lead to multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), a condition that stems from exposure to toxic chemicals and results in a myriad of crippling symptoms. Microscopic dust mites (and their allergenic fecal matter) frequently infest mattresses, pillows, and carpeting, leading to respiratory problems including coughing and sinus congestion.” Tina Spangler, Natural Health Magazine.
Now, of course I take everything I read on the internet with a grain of salt, but these testimonials really gave me food for thought! My daughter was sleeping on an ‘egg crate’ foam mattress topper and a memory foam pillow. Her health improved when we got rid of the mattress topper and got her onto a new pillow! I couldn’t believe it took me so long to work out.
We swapped our pillows over to biodynamic wool pillows, dust mite protectors and organic cotton pillowcases. I sourced ours from Blessed Earth, here in Queensland. It wasn’t cheap, but I literally sleep better at night! Not only because of the better sleep quality, but just knowing that I am not breathing in nasty chemicals. I also like Blessed Earth because they are fair-trade, local and truly organic.
Wool is naturally mould, mildew, dust mite and fire-resistant. “Wool can absorb bodily moisture up to 30% of it’s own weight and dissipate it naturally into the atmosphere.” Blessed Earth. It also is biodegradable and can go on the compost!
Nicole Bjisma, author of Healthy Home, Healthy Family, says natural latex pillows are also a healthy alternative option. Natural latex has antimicrobial properties that resist dust mites and other allergens as well as being mold and mildew resistant.
Organic cotton pillows are another great option you can get here. They are Australian made, chemical free, with totally organic filling and perfect for allergy sufferers and chemically sensitive people.
Bamboo, down, kapok and buckwheat or millet hulls are other natural alternatives for pillows, but you need to investigate to make sure they are processed without chemicals.
You should also air your pillow regularly out in the sunshine and replace it every few years.
It is really worth checking out what is available and considering the effect that your pillow might be having on your health.
How does your pillow shape up?
I use Blessed Earth pillows now too,and have noticed I sleep better and wake up better,I use to have sneezing attacks every night before I went to sleep. I also changed my feather quilts to wool quilts(not organic as they were too expensive for me). I use cotton (organic when I can) sheets and sleep on a futon. Blessed Earth make wonderful organic mattresses if you can afford it (cost of a cheap used car). Also wearing organic too is good.We have too many chemicals surrounded us and it accumulates in our system without us realizing.
It is expensive to swap over – we are saving up for the big purchases, but when you consider it is your enivornment for 1/3 of your life, it makes sense to get it toxin free! Thanks for sharing your experience Linda!! x
We are about to buy a new bed. We are sleeping on the floor on a 4WD mat at the moment.
Something to think about in our search. Any suggestions on mattresses and bed frames would be awesome..Only done a very short search before it was disrupted by the end of nap time. 🙂
The only ones I know would be great are from Blessed Earth as they are such an ethical company. But it would be worth investigating further! Let me know as this is my next bit purchase too!! 🙂
Erin,
We have just done the big search for a good bed and it was a big headache! We had previously bought an expensive spring with topper bed from a big bed chain just 2 years ago and getting very little good sleep plus back issues. After consulting my friend, who is totally pro-organic, EMF aware and into whole, ethical, sustainable living, she referred us to Simon from Ultimate Beds. All I can say is this guy is absolutely passionate about his mattresses! We have been sleeping on the new bed for about a month and we are both sleeping soundly (and together – we were resorting to sleeping in seperate beds!). I am also finding I’m going to bed earlier and laying in just to lie and enjoy! My body is saying thank you. While he is based in WA, I understand there is a distributer over east. Good luck! 🙂 http://www.ultimatebeds.com.au
Thanks for the link Ruby, what are they made of?
Hi NNAM
They are made of a combination of Australian-made non toxic breathable Premium and Viscous foams. They do not contain any Latex, Metal Springs or Polyester and no toxic solvent glues or imported foams are used (with approval from asthma council aust). The design also ensures plenty of air flow as well and covered in organic cotton with many chiros recommending his beds.
We were pretty determined to get the best mattress we could for longitivity, comfort and health benefits. We are also very conscious of emf and emr energy and have a home harmoniser as my husband, who is very down to earth and an electrician, takes emr/emf very seriously.
The guy started out in his grandfather’s furniture company and after making beds realised people couldn’t find good mattresses. After illness and a serious health change he realised the importance of a healthy environment and started experimenting. Hence where he is today. He is very much the geniune article with a 10 year warranty on his beds and charging factory prices. Definitely give him a call/email and have a chat with him if you are interested.
Meanwhile, I am now spending most of my day lying on my bed lol.
Thank you! That is so awesome!!!
I use these ones from Biome ;
http://www.biome.com.au/quilt-pillow-protectors/2701-organic-cotton-sandard-pillow-organature.html
Thanks for the link Tara!!
I use Tetra tea tree organic pillow. It’s fantastic and I sleep so much better with it. Also used tetra tea tree mattress for our son’s cradle when he was a new born.
OH wow, I didn’t know you could get the pillows but I knew about the baby mattress! I will look into that thanks Sarah!
Thank you for the link to the Blessed earth website. Just had a look and will definetely be saving up for some new pillows and linen! I just purchased a few beautiful little tops for my daughter from them on special for $4! Fair trade and organic and very cute too! So thank you again, I love it when I find companies like this 🙂
they are a lovely company!
Ok…. so I’ve had this in my email inbox for days now and I’ve been dreading opening it, because without a doubt, the answer for us would be yes, our pillows are rubbish, and I’ve known about it for a while. Eeekkkk
… and they’re pretty far past their due date too… Ooopsies
Anyway, now that I’ve read your article, I’m super thrilled because of the wonderful suggestions you’ve given, including some options that don’t include wool (being the vegan that I am and all….).
Now you’ll have to excuse me…. off to buy some pillows….
LOL – no-one will open that email! Let me know how your pillows go!
What’s everyone’s opinion on organic latex mattresses compared to organic cotton/wool mattresses? We’re in desperate need of a new mattress but it’s all too confusing.
It is confusing! I will put the question to our community on Facebook if you like Richard. https://www.facebook.com/naturalnewagemum
Great review! I never thought there are such plenty of complications we can get from just a wrong choice of pillow. This is very informative, tyhank you for sharing this
personally use Tetra green tea tree natural pillow. It is fantastic and i also sleep a lot better by using it. Also utilized tetra green tea tree bed mattress for our son’s cradle whenever he was obviously a new created.
There are sooo many things to consider about this topic . thanks for sharing
Hi Sonia. This is a very informative and well thought article. Thanks for sharing.