Climate & Clean Energy Notes from the Panther Lounge What's off-gassing in your bedroom? Off-gassing in the bedroom is not cool. Does your mattress contain eco-friendlier ingredients? (Credit: kobiz7 via Flickr) February is "Bedroom Month" where I dish on all things bedroom-y! Week 3: Birth control Week 4: Clothing storage Fart jokes aside (for now), nighttime gas in the bedroom is not cool. Especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing from polyurethane foam! Avoid nightmares about VOCs, fire retardants, antibacterial protection (some made with nanosilver particles) and stain-resistant finishes. Conventional mattresses tackle these with chemical treatments and toxic compounds, but wool naturally repels dust mites and natural latex foam is fire-resistant. Remember s — synthetic chemicals added as fire retardants? They're not produced in Canada, but imported by manufacturers and in consumer products (e.g., televisions, furniture and carpets).
Subscribe to the Queen of Green digest Mattresses made in Canada generally do not contain these flame retardants, but it's always good to ask. Also avoid additives used to repel stains and water. Although natural fibres are better — wool, organic cotton, hemp and natural rubber — you'll need a separate savings account. Petroleum-based contents are what make regular mattresses affordable (i.e., cheap). Note: Natural rubber is natural latex but latex/rubber can also be synthetic! Short on (wallet) green? Choose a mattress protector made from wool or organic cotton to create a barrier between you and that polyurethane foam mattress! And prioritize a natural crib mattress for babies (see a few options below). Some eco-friendlier mattresses (claims and products not tested, ranked or rated): Essentia (made in Montreal) with natural rubber or latex and a 20-year warranty! Majestic Sit & Sleep made in Canada from 100 per cent certified organic Dunlop latex (with three per cent unnatural binding agent), wool and organic cotton.
Obasan made from natural rubber, organic wool and organic cotton — and can be customized. Organic Lifestyle uses wool, natural rubber (made in Canada) and innerspring with organic cotton (from the USA). Shepherd's Dream made from wool. What are your reviews of natural options? Comment on this blog to win pajamas for your little one from My Little Green Shop (draw date March 10th, 2014)! Lindsay Coulter, a fellow Queen of Green Sleep On It: The Mattress Guide Daylight saving time putting a dent in your sleep? The slab you're copping your Z's on may be putting a bigger hole in the environment. What's under your sheets? Get 25-40% More Spending Money This week in PrintBuying an IKEA bed in the USBuying an IKEA bed in the US might be something you are unfamiliar with. It will have a few parts and assembly will be necessary and I think a lot of people do not get all the parts on the first try. So this article offers a little guidance on all the parts and advice on choosing which parts to buy.
To Boxspring/Foundation or Not to Boxspring/Foundation?Well, first of all, let me explain what a boxspring/foundation is. They are actually two different items, although they look the same from the side and serve the same purpose of raising your mattress. There is one major difference, however: The foundation has wood boards to hold up the mattress, while the boxspring, like its name suggests, has springs where it meets the mattress. So what does this mean, you ask? Well, a boxspring will give you a plusher, bouncier feeling, while a foundation will feel firmer and more solid. Do I need a boxspring or a foundation? No, you can place your mattress right on the slats if you want. A boxspring has springs = softer A foundation is all wood inside = firmerBut you might not need either with an IKEA bed Slats: What Are They Good For?Slats are the wooden boards that the mattress, boxspring, or foundation rests on. The advantage of an IKEA bed is that you can use slats and a mattress alone, eliminating the need for a boxspring or foundation.
This is very useful if you are trying to move a bedframe into a tight location, like up a narrow staircase or through a small doorway. What you should consider when buying a frame is if it has adjustable What you should consider when buying a frame is if it has adjustable bedsides. It will say it on the tag and it means you can set your slats lower if you want to use a boxspring or a foundation to make the bed higher. Which Slats Should I Choose?There are three types of basic slats to choose from: Lade are pine boards that provide the firmest feel. These are the ones you would use with a mattress and boxspring/foundation or with just a mattress if you like a firm feel. Luroy slats are curved a little and made of birch wood. You would use these with a mattress alone, and they provide a softer feel. Laxeby slats are the plushest-feeling, and you would also use these with the mattress alone. Note: These come with their own wood frame, are adjustable, and need to be assembled.
They are a lot of work, but if you like the softer feel, they are worth it. Each slat or slat and boxspring/foundation combo can work with any mattress, be it spring, foam, or latex. The thicker the mattress (standard mattress thickness is about 8 inches), the less you feel the slats; the thinner the mattress, the more you have to pay attention to the slat choice. Alright sound good, am I missing anything else? The Skorva Mid BeamThe Mid beam is included in the price of the bedframe, but is a separate part from the bed and comes from a different location in the warehouse. It is a universal part for all larger IKEA beds (full, queen, and king) that is adjustable to the size of the bed. This is what lies underneath the slats and what supports them. It is a very important piece to the puzzle and the bed can't be assembled without it. There is only one type of mid beam to choose from, but just don't forget it at the store. If you are ordering online, the mid beam, if needed with your model bed, is included from the IKEA website.