Argentina is one of the most popular Latin American countries known for its beautiful landcapes, rich lively culture, and its powerful football factories producing legends like Diego Maradona and current stars like Lionel Messi of Barcelona FC but they are … Continue reading
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.
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.
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
http://www.somasleep.ca
Soma Organic Mattresses 