Organic Cotton- The Facts

Cotton covers less than 3% of the world’s cultivated land but uses over 15% of the world’s insecticides. That is more than any single major crop. When conventional cotton is produced there are high levels of agrochemicals and cotton crops also account for 16% of the world’s pesticides. These chemicals often lead to everything from irritating a person’s skin to polluting our air and water surfaces. This is why more and more consumers are buying more natural products like natural diapers, mattresses, linens, pillows, etc…As a result sales of organic linens and clothing have grown each year since 2006. Although traditional mattress sales have gone soft all across Canada please read.. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/historically-firm-mattress-sales-turn-soft/article1215640/ /Eco-conscious consumer wanting more natural/organic products like organic mattresses and bedding have stayed firm while the amount of farmers cultivating organic cotton increased 150% in 2008 as well.

How does conventional cotton differ from organic cotton? There are several factors which can be broken down into 3 basic categories seed preparation, weed control, and harvesting. For more details please follow below.

Seed Preparation

Conventional Cotton

-typically treats seeds with fungicides or insecticides.

-also uses GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) seeds.

-GMO’s account for over 70% of cotton grown in the U.S. alone.

-Applies synthetic fertilizers.

-Loss of soil due to predominantly mono-crop culture.

-requires intensive irrigation.

Organic Cotton

-Uses untreated seeds and never uses GMO seeds.

-Builds strong soil through crop rotation.

-Retains water more efficiently thanks to increased organic matter in the soil.

Weed Control/Pest Control

Conventional Cotton

-Applies herbicides to the soil inhibiting weed germination.

-Repeatedly uses herbicides to kill weeds that do grow.

-Uses insecticides heavily, accounting for approximately 25% of the world consumption.

-Uses pesticides; the nine most common are highly toxic; five are possible carcinogens

-Frequently uses aerial spraying with potential drift onto farm workers, neighboring wildlife and communities.

Organic Cotton

-Physical removal than the use of toxic chemicals.

-Controls weeds through cultivation and hand hoeing.

-Maintains a natural balance between pests and their predators thorugh healthy soil.

-Uses beneficial insects biological and cultural practices to control pests.

-May use a planted trap crop to lure insects away from the cotton.

Harvesting

Conventional Cotton

-Defoliates with toxic chemicals.

Organic Cotton

-Relies mostly on the seasonal freeze for defoliation.

-May stimulate defoliation through water management.

Certification

Third party certification organizations like KRAV verify that organic cotton producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production. Organic cotton needs to be grown naturally without the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. No genetically modified seeds can be used in the farming process either.

 

Reducing Toxins Within The Bedroom

Most people have become aware of the need to purge as many harmful chemicals from our homes specifically the bedroom whether it be ripping up the carpet and replacing it with more natural flooring, natural cleaning substances, and even the furniture specifically our mattresses.
Magniflex one of our manufacturers states “Through our skin we breathe and absorb nearly everything that comes in contact with it”. So when trying to limit our chemical exposure we should not only consider replacing the mattress but protective covers and linens as well given our skin comes into direct contact with what is covering our bed. Organic cotton linens can be very expensive depending on thread count (never get caught up in thread counts with your sheets) , Bamboo cotton blends are not as natural as organic cotton but they are still very anti-microbial and healthier than traditional linens. Mattress covers/protectors there are generally two types natural and waterproof (breathable polyurethane barrier). Choosing one depends on a variety of factors kids, pets, whether you have a drink while in bed. If you want the most natural and healthiest the best option is either an organic moisture pad or a washable wool mattress pad. If you require a waterproof barrier there are two quality ones on the market Nauraworld’s protect plus with their new silver technology or the oeko-tex 100 standard from Protect A Bed.
Replacing your conventional mattress with a more natural mattress can be a little more tricky given several factors including budget, firmness, comfort, and so on.
While the best choice for optimal health and comfort would be a natural rubber mattress with a pure wool quilt and certified organic cotton it does not appeal to everyone. This is the very reason why at Soma Sleep and Wellness we are constantly evolving to adapt to our customer’s needs. Our showroom features a variety of options for organic mattresses and bedding. We carry our own Soma Organic line, Natura, Magniflex (Natural Memory Foam from Italy), Green Sleep, and Hypnos (Pocket Coil) just to name a few.
As always I welcome any feedback regarding products and general questions. Only together can we a build a sustainable economy for everyone to enjoy.

 

The Green Sleep

Inspired by nature and committed to providing you with a healthy sleep, Soma Sleep and Wellness are offering Green Sleep, a European designed organic sleep system that has been proven to provide a healthy, restorative sleep for your body and mind. Green Sleep came up with many different qualities to achieve this sleep system. A few of the key features of the Green Sleep system include a sufficient size to comfortably accommodate the sleeper or sleepers, without impediment to the limbs; firm under-support, combined with a resilient, body conforming surface; and construction using nontoxic, breathable materials. Most importantly, a good night’s sleep comes from what you don’t experience –noxious fumes that are the result of off gassing from chemical glues, pesticides and fabric treatments. Inhaling these fumes can compromise your immune system, and bathing your skin in them through full contact with your mattress could lead to toxins being absorbed directly into the bloodstream. It’s equally important to avoid products treated with chemicals that are extremely harmful to you, not just to the environment. Green Sleep takes the production of its mattresses, foundations and frames extremely seriously. They care not only about the environment that is the source of our raw materials, but also about your home environment. The company’s deep concern means that materials and processes are all designed to respect both the biosphere and the home that you and your loved ones share. All Green Sleep frames, battings, fillings, and fabrics are made of the cleanest, purest organic products available on the market today. Here are the materials used in manufacturing this organic sleep system: Renewable Canadian wood. All Green Sleep foundations can be set on legs or Green Sleep bed frames. These bed frames are constructed of selected hardwoods, and each piece is individually crafted by a skilled cabinetmaker from traditional European designs. Frames are finished only with the finest natural waxes and nontoxic oils. Organic cotton for comfort Continuing its personal philosophy of supporting a toxin-free environment, Green Sleep sources and buys only hand-picked, chemical-free cotton. Cotton grown in industrialized countries is typically heavily treated with pesticides and herbicides. The plants absorb these poisons through their leaves and drink them in from the contaminated soil, until the entire plant is infused with toxins. Wool for superior warmth and dryness Green Sleep fleeces are processed without the use of chemicals, dyes, oils, or bonding agents. The resulting wool contains no processing residues and also retains four to six per cent lanolin, which is a natural dust-mite repellent. Moreover, during shipment of this processed wool, Green Sleep doesn’t permit the use of plastic, baling twine, or mothballs. All natural rubber for flexibility, resilience and minimal compaction Green Sleep uses only the finest, grade A natural rubber for the support core at the center of its mattresses. Natural rubber is an ideal choice for flexibility and stability combined with superior comfort and support. Like Green Sleep organic cotton and wool, Green Sleep natural rubber contributes to excellent heat and moisture regulation. Green Sleep manufactures a sleep set which contains a truly customized choice for a natural rubber mattress; three interchangeable plates of natural rubber can be chosen to select the desired firmness. Two sleeping zones allow sleeping partners to select their own individual firmness and surrounding these plates is an organic cotton velour cover quilted with wool and silk producing the finest natural mattress. Also, part of their collection includes four different all organic pillows, from pure wool filling to solid contoured rubber cores, and the first washable organic pillow, made from shredded natural rubber. To finish off the collection, an organic mattress cover tailored to protect your organic sleep system. Feel Free to visit Soma Sleep and Wellness today to experience what it feels like to sleep Green.

Soma Sleep and Wellness
Sleep Products
770 Lawrence Ave. W.
Toronto
416-789-2337
www.somasleep.ca

 

Why Sleep and Wellness are Linked.

Health consequences from not receiving enough quality hours of sleep anything less than 7 hours or what’s classified as poor sleep can involve the cardiovascular, endocrine, immune, and nervous systems. You should not let your life no matter how busy it is interfere with a good night’s sleep, between 70-100 million North Americans suffer from various chronic sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea or insomnia.

An insufficient amount of sleep can cause hunger hormones to go out of control. Several studies have proven Leptin is lowered and ghrelin is raised. Which basically means you feel hungry when you shouldn’t be and tend to eat. This hormonal imbalance can lead to bad food choices and cause future obesity. Clinical studies have shown that patients with sleep apnoea or obstructive breathing problems while sleeping tend to have higher percentages of cholesterol, protein, and saturated fat in their diets.

Those with fewer than 7 hours sleep are also more likely to become diabetic given the poor diet and impaired glucose levels. Heart disease is more likely to strike as well with 5 or fewer hours of sleep as well obstructive sleep apnoea can also lead to high blood pressure and hypertension. Weight plays a role in a lot of these condition so losing and maintaining a healthy weight is vital.

Now obviously these are the worst cases that result from abusing your hours of sleep that are needed but at the very least everyone needs to be aware of the consequences for ourselves and our children. A conscious effort must be put forth to avoid other problems as low self esteem, depression, mental distress, even alcohol use which of course can lead to driving drowsy/driving impaired. Behaviour can even be affected by insomnia or sleep related illness especially in children.

So in the end we all should put more thought into our diet, quality sleep routine, and exercise. Sometimes lack of sleep can be related to chemical sensitivity, comfort firmness, support with your mattress an so on…It is very important that your sleep environment is set up in a way that will allow for a deep night’s sleep because just going to bed early will not ensure the proper rest needed for rejuvenation that will help achieve optimal health.

At Soma Sleep and Wellness that is why we combine sleep and wellness of being. From our sleep consultants in our mattress and bedding showroom to our wellness professionals in our on site clinic. Our goal is always to provide our clients with the knowledge and the products to ensure the most rested and peaceful night’s sleep.

-Sleep well everyone

– Soma Sleep and Wellness

 

The Geoethic Collection From Magniflex

Magniflex developed the Geoethic collection with the relationship between nature and man in mind. With manufacturing pillows and mattresses in a more natural way not only is the well-being of their customers guaranteed but the least impact on the environment as well.

Where do the natural materials come from? From nature of course.

Lempur The “Velvety Wood Fiber”;
Bamboo From rigid wood to the softest fiber;
Linen A durable fiber, hypoallergenic and naturally anti-microbial;
Silky Soy The only botanical protein fiber;
Corn The ever-adaptable plant;
Crabyon Fiber derived from shells;
Marine Algae Nature’s oxygen source.

“Through our skin we breathe and absorb nearly everything that comes into contact with it.” Mattresses produced with chemicals could then lead to possible long term health concerns for consumers.

The fabrics and materials used in Magniflex’s Geoethic collection have all been certified by leading European laboratories to ensure their human and environmental safety guarantee that they contain no toxic or harmful materials.

The Airyform design allows air to flow freely through out the core ensuring an allergen free sleep. The holes or vents as they are called are spread out into 3 zones, more vents are required for the upper torso and legs while fewer holes for the pelvic area bring the spine into proper anatomic alignment. These engineered perforations ensure optimal pressure point relief for each individual.

 

Magniflex

Magniflex is Italy’s and one of Europe’s largest mattress manufacturers. For over 50 years they have been providing a innovative and superior product for the mattress and bedding industry never compromising their dedication to quality and customer service. With distribution in over 45 countries including Canada and the U.S. the makers of the most environmentally and technologically advanced visco-elastic, and foam mattresses available today. The Magniflex philosophy is a simple one “Rest nourishes the mind and body”. They are contantly researching and conducting studies on how to achieve a more restorative and deep restful night’s sleep by continuing to create new methods and materials that improve the overall well being of their customers and the environment. Magniflex believes that environmental safety, both for their employees and customers is essential while safeguarding the earth’s natural resources at the sametime. This guiding ethical principle remains an unwavering integral part of the manufacturing process.

That is why Soma Sleep now carries the Geoethic line from Magniflex including the Green Cotton, Soy Green, and the Eco-Bamboo. The exceptional quality in which the mattresses are made and their dedication to the envrionment and a sustainable economy for everyone is one of many reasons why we endorse the natural foam and and memory foam from Magniflex.

For more information feel free to visit http://www.magniflex.us/index.html and for order inquiries feel free to contact me at tony@somasleep.ca

 

Introducing The Hypnos Mattress Collection

In Greek Mythology Hypnos was the ancient Greek God of Sleep. (Son of Nyx, God of Night.) He dwelt in a cavern in the land of Cimmerians surrounded by his sons who were the bringer of dreams.
With a healthy night’s sleep in mind Hypnos beds were created and for over 100 years have been providing thousands of people with some of the most comfortable beds in the world. Proud holders of the Royal Warrant to Queen Elizabeth and the royal family for over 30 years. Hypnos dedication to quality deep pocket coil beds is maintained throughout thier entire product line. Since their inception Hypnos beds have been hand crafted using traditional methods. All beds feature natural fibre including wool, cotton, silk for moisture and climate control while cashmere and a special blend of white hair (cattle and hogtail blend) are used in maximizing the support, breathability, and resilency that makes Hypnos mattresses truly special enchancing overall health and comfort.
At Soma Sleep we strive to offer the best selection in healthy and comfortable mattresses, bedding, pillows, infant line etc…However it is also very important that our products stand the test of time. For us the Hypnos product has been outstanding in both comfort and durability in regards to their mattress line. As pocket coil beds go they are unrivalled in the mattress industry due to their craftmanship and natural fibres used in their products.
So if you still love coil beds but want to reduce toxins and chemicals from your mattress Soma Sleep & Wellness recommends the Hypnos natural fibre deep pocketed coil mattresses and sleep products. Feel free to visit our website for more details www.somasleep.ca or email tony@somasleep.ca

 

The Benefits Of Wool in Mattreses and Bedding

At Soma Sleep we believe that wool is the key ingredient in a truly restful and healthy night’s sleep. Our wool is processed without the presence of  chemicals, dyes, or harmful oils. The final product gives you complete warmth and absorbency without containing any residues from processing.

Benefits

Soma Sleep’s natural wool, treated with only vegetable-based agents for washing, lubrication and static control is also:

• Naturally flame-retardant and repellent to dust mites
• Absorbent (able to absorb 30 percent moisture and remain dry – perfect for “night sweats”)
• Resilient in form and shape, for comfort and aesthetics
• Cool in summer, warm in winter

Quality Care

Our wool comes from the small island of Texel, Netherlands. The sheep are carefully bred and live a stress-free life. During the summer months, the herds graze on land that has never been used for agriculture, guaranteeing that it is free from contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers. In winter, a well-ventilated, climate-controlled barn with clean floors is stocked daily with fresh bedding and a non-rationed organic food supply. The animals are checked daily for continued health. The resulting fleece – shorn from live animals is carefully sorted and washed with only hot water and vegetable-based soaps ( no detergents, chemicals or chlorine bleach ) producing wool fibres which are strong and springy. This process allows the wool to retain between 4 and 6 percent lanolin – a natural dust mite repellent.

 

Organic Mattress

I’ve decided to talk about the benefits of each mattress available to consumers. So it makes total sense to talk about the healthiest sleep available first. I just finished a green living trade show and the response was phenomenal considering the economic times we are all living in.  Spreading the word about green products to everyone was so important much more than just making a sale. Unfortunately not everyone is aware compared to people who have decided to live more naturally by limiting toxins within the home, eating more natural (organic) type foods, and being environmentally aware ie: recycling, reducing waste etc…..

When it gets down to the guts of a good mattress if you decide to buy an organic mattress set you are not only eliminating chemicals from your sleep zone but enjoying its supportive qualities and longevity as well.  Natural rubber cores will last anywhere between 18-28 years if properly maintained. The mattress should sit on a proper slat wood foundation or hard surface unless it’s the Vimala sleep system which is made of wooden dowels please see Green Sleep. http://www.somasleep.ca/Green_Sleep_Mattresses_Toronto.html 

There’s usually no flipping or rotating needed with most organic beds with a rubber core. Natural rubber mattresses are supportive and relieve pressure points. An organic rubber core is antimicrobial, resists dust mites, mold, mildew, and breathes naturally. Wool is used because of its properties to resist dust mites, thermo-regulate the mattress by wicking moisture away from the body, and its hypoallergenic properties. It is also used due to the fact that wool is a natural fire retardant which allows the manufacturer to avoid treating the mattress with fire retardants keeping the mattress entirely organic. To complete your toxin free sleep an organic cotton cover is the final touch in creating a chemical free sleep for you and your loved ones. Certified organic cotton is free of pesticides and insecticides as well as any other harmful chemicals and is much more sustainable than synthetics.

So let’s summarize.

durable

chemical free

supportive and pressure point relief for your spine.

sustainable

above all will increase your energy, immune system, and overall health.

Natural rubber is the most durable and healthiest mattress available  but that does not mean that an organic innerspring, or a natural fill pocket coil are not great alternatives as well beacuse they are it totally depends on the individual what the needs are as well as your budget of course. For more information on organics and their benefits don’t hesitate to contact me at tony@somasleep.ca or visit our website www.somasleep.ca. 

Sleep Well Everyone

 

 

 

 

Choosing a mattress

When choosing a mattress there are so many factors that come into play firmness, support, comfort, composition (the guts of the bed) and of course money/value. Most consumers are very diligent when shopping for a new bed they either visit various retail outlets and ask numerous questions or people use the internet/media outlets to guide them. The one thing everyone should do is never feel pressured to buy right on the spot. We sleep 1/3 of our lives on our beds so in essence we should think just as thoroughly about buying a mattress as we do buying a car, home, furniture, etc…

Comfort and support are always paramount when deciding on the purchase of any new mattress but with so much emphasis on off gas and harmful chemicals in beds these days it’s important to factor into your decision the composition of the mattress as well. There are various options out available in the marketplace no matter your budget. There is innerspring with non CFC foams (soy based), natural fill pocket coil (filled with wool and cotton), Latex or Organic rubber. The foundation the mattress is also important because if your mattress sits on a supportive foundation your bed will last twice as long. An example of this would be a latex or organic mattress on a proper foundation will last up to 25 yrs and a spring mattress could last between 10-20 if you have your bed on a actual spring box instead of a hard surface that has no give to it.

Lastly find  someone that knows the product and don’t be afraid to ask questions. A knowledgeable person is another key in finding a restful and healthy nights sleep. Also if you don’t recieve the type of answers from the retailer then call the manufacturer and ask even more questions.  Until the next blog sleep well and live more naturally.