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The Benefits of Choosing Organic

Written by Jesse Crow, Owner of Rest Right Mattress

The Benefits of Choosing Organic
When the decision is made to opt for organic sleep products, several personal benefits are quickly discovered. Organic products provide unique comfort as you sleep. They may also impact the health of you and your family. When organic bedding and mattresses are carefully selected, the entire planet may also be favorably affected. Supporting sustainable and safe production processes means the world is a healthier place to sleep.

Choosing Organic Benefits the Environment
There are several federally enforced requirements that help regulate organic standards. For example, in the wool industry, sheep cannot be exposed to parasiticides. These chemicals are sometimes used in non-organic farms to control ticks and lice. Organic farmers rely on a healthy, organic diet, for optimal immune systems and management of the land to minimize these issues. Genetic engineering and using hormones are also prohibited. Other organic sleep products also undergo stringent standards that aim to reduce the chemicals released into the ground or air.

Sustainability
Part of organic manufacturing is the constant awareness of how production impacts the land and our future. After all, depletion of natural resources can have detrimental results. The directives of organic wool ensure that overgrazing is not a problem by compulsory observation of the natural pasture carrying capacity. This livestock management program guarantees long-term viability of the business and ability to continue organic production. For organic plant derived products, the crops may be rotated in a similar manner. These plantations must also meet or exceed standards that are in place which exclude the use of potentially harmful chemicals.

Organic Products are Healthier
Consumers directly benefit when companies produce products without the use of harmful chemicals. Some inorganic products can expose people to off-gassing and skin irritation. A few chemicals that can be found in some products which are not organic include:

• PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers)
• Boric Acid
• Formaldehyde
• Oxytetracycline
• Chlortetracycline
• Malathion

You’ll Probably Sleep Better, Too
Organic bedroom accessories, including organic wool bedding and organic latex mattresses, often times result in better sleep. That’s because they are hypoallergenic. The natural resistance to bacteria, mold, and dust mites may very well result in fewer allergic reactions and symptoms. Interestingly, both organic wool and organic latex also boast temperature regulating properties, meaning less likelihood of over-heating during sleep. Tossing and turning during sleep is often a result of various pressure points, hips and shoulders for example. Careful examination of organic wool sleep products reveals the natural wool fibers act like “springs”, providing comfort for pressure points. Organic latex mattresses provide pressure relief as latex does not resist weight; at the same time natural latex provides superior spinal support.

Assisting the body to regulate temperature during sleep and even pressure distribution are associated with better, healthier sleep. Wool has the added benefit of being naturally flame resistant and therefore it is used on many organic sleep products in place of chemical retardants.

How to Know You’re Buying Organic
When a product is marked as 100% organic, it will come with corresponding certifications. These are a few to look for:

GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) – This has varying levels of organic composition. One level is made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibres and the other level must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres.

GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) – To have this certification, the product will have to contain more than 95 % of certified organic raw material.

WOOLMARK® – Pure New Wool, Wool Rich Blend and Wool Blend Performance are the three levels of wool composition.

OEKO-TEX® – Items with this certification are not necessarily organic. However, most organic products will have this certification because it means they have been tested for specific dangerous chemicals.

Organic sleep products do more for you than you may realize. Opting for organic products support eco-friendly companies and the environment. This small choice may make a large environmental impact.