{"id":26799,"date":"2022-12-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog-staging.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/sustainable-habits-bedroom\/"},"modified":"2024-03-28T13:32:20","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T13:32:20","slug":"sustainable-habits-bedroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva-node-stage.tsc-starts-coding.com\/blog\/sustainable-habits-bedroom\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways to Be More Sustainable in the Bedroom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With all the news about climate change<\/a>, many of us want to do our part to protect the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the most obvious ways to go green include cutting out plastic, composting food scraps, and sticking to a mostly plant-based diet<\/a>. But did you know there are also some easy things you can do in the bedroom to be more sustainable?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading for the top 10 sustainable habits to adopt in your bedroom right now. You might just improve your sleep in the process! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to be more sustainable in the bedroom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Take advantage of natural lighting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Artificial lighting releases heat, which may cause you to lower your bedroom temperature and use more electricity. It also disrupts your circadian rhythm<\/a> (known as your sleep-wake cycle). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For these reasons, take advantage of natural lighting. At night, turn off all of your artificial light sources an hour or two before bed to stimulate sleep. This can also help save electricity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the morning, allow the sun to wake you up rather than a lamp or alarm clock. This can help make you feel less groggy and ensure you start your day in a good mood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also opt for LED (light-emitting diodes) bulbs, which come with an energy savings<\/a> of 50%-70%+ compared to other light bulbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LED bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours, approximately 25 times longer<\/a> than halogen bulbs and 10 times longer than other bulbs like fluorescent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just keep in mind that LED lighting is still artificial lighting, which can affect your circadian rhythm. So you should continue to turn off your lights before bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Improve your air quality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

No one likes a stuffy nose before bed<\/a>\u2014but sometimes it\u2019s difficult to avoid when your bedroom is filled with dust, toxins, and pet dander, all of which can cause poor air quality and prevent good sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, this issue has an easy fix\u2014all it takes is some plants!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plants do more than add to your room decor. They purify the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, and they remove toxins and pollutants that are bad to breathe in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also promote better sleep by minimizing your allergies and releasing sleep-inducing scents. The best sleep-promoting plants<\/a> include lavender, snake plant, and English ivy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Wear eco-friendly sleepwear<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the World Economic Forum, fashion is the third largest polluter on the planet<\/a>, accounting for 5% of the world\u2019s greenhouse gas emissions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s the industry’s reliance on nonrenewable synthetic fibers<\/a>\u2014such as nylon and polyester\u2014that’s largely responsible for these carbon emissions as it takes an estimated 342 million barrels of oil each year<\/a> to produce them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once they’re thrown out, clothes made of synthetic fibers typically end up in a landfill and can stay there for thousands of years since they don’t decompose easily<\/a>. This creates more plastic waste for the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution? Sustainable sleepwear! Examples of greener fabrics include recycled cotton, organic hemp, organic linen, Tencel, and recycled wool<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a bonus, these materials usually aren’t treated with harmful chemicals, so there’s less of a chance they’ll irritate your skin. They’re also usually higher quality, which means they’ll last longer so you can cut down on waste. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, choosing organic, Fair Trade, and certified ethically-made clothing<\/a> ensures humans were treated fairly and not harmed in the production process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Editor’s note: We know sustainable sleepwear can get pricey since you’re paying for the quality and ethical practices.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A cheaper alternative is using old T-shirts and bottoms or thrifting clothes comfortable to sleep in. That way, you keep old clothes out of landfills and reduce your carbon footprint!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. \u2026or go naked<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve talked about the many health benefits of sleeping naked<\/a>\u2014but did you know it\u2019s also eco-friendly? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The average residential washing machine uses an estimated 41 gallons of water per load<\/a>, while a dryer accounts for about 6% of the average home\u2019s energy use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping naked equates to less laundry, and less laundry means less water and energy use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Unplug your electronics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Standby power is power used by unused but plugged-in devices\u2014and according to the U.S. Department of Energy, it’s responsible for 5%-10% of residential energy use<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s more, the cost of standby power is approximately $19 billion annually<\/a>\u2014and it emits a whopping 44 million tons of carbon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So start unplugging your electronics before bed. Doing this can help your household save up to $100 per year<\/a>, cut down on energy use, and increase the lifespan of your devices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can get tedious to unplug every single plug in your room each night, so choose your least commonly used electronics and unplug those.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, take advantage of power strips to make the process easier and quicker (especially for plugs in hard-to-reach places).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Make your own cleaning products <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Cleaning your bedroom frequently is vital for good sleep hygiene<\/a> and your physical and mental well-being. However, popular cleaning products can do more harm than good when they contain toxic ingredients and chemicals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), chemicals in cleaning products are associated with eye, skin, or respiratory irritation<\/a> (such as burning hands and nostrils).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) in cleaning products can lead to poor indoor air quality and contribute to smog formation outside<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of depending on harmful cleaning products, take a DIY approach. Use ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and essential oils, which are inexpensive, nontoxic, and effective.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, opt for reusable bottles and washcloths to minimize your waste!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re not into the whole DIY thing, you can still use store-bought cleaning products\u2014just make sure they\u2019re eco-friendly cleaners that are safe for your home (and your pets!). To do so, look for EPA and Green Seal labels<\/a> on the packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Thrift for decor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Who doesn\u2019t love cute bedroom decor? These items can make your bedroom look good and help you sleep better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it can get expensive to redecorate\u2014and it’s not exactly eco-friendly to buy new stuff every season. After all, it takes a whole lot of energy and resources to create new home goods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, head to your local thrift store<\/a> the next time you’re ready for a bedroom refresh. By thrifting, you’re choosing to buy items that didn’t involve using any new resources and energy. You’re also potentially saving something from ending up in a landfill. (Here are tips for thrifting furniture for the bedroom<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Use eco-friendly heating and cooling systems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, approximately 20% of U.S. energy-related greenhouse gas emissions<\/a> stem from heating, cooling, and powering households. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our carbon footprint is only increasing the amount of excessive heat in our atmosphere, which leads us to depend even more on our cooling systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turning to eco-friendly insulation and a green HVAC system can help reduce your carbon emissions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poor insulation will promote heat flow within your house\u2014and synthetic insulation often contains polyurethane, flame retardants, asbestos, VOCs, or formaldehyde<\/a>, which are all health hazards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When choosing insulation for your home, search for Greenguard-certified insulation materials<\/a>, such as cotton, sheep\u2019s wool, and hemp<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides insulation, opting for a new HVAC system or greener alternatives can help reduce your energy use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Older HVAC systems are less energy-efficient, more likely to break down or need repairs, can increase energy bills, and aren’t eco-friendly. Some may even contain refrigerants that are no longer certified<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newer models, on the other hand, can help save energy and money and minimize the release of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)<\/a>, chemicals used for cooling, in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also choose a greener alternative, such as solar power, biomass, or geothermal heat pumps.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, a well-insulated home and a good HVAC system can reduce heat flow, be more energy-efficient when heating or cooling your home, save you money, and help you sleep comfortably at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Recycle old mattresses and bedding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Americans throw out an estimated 20 million mattresses and box springs every year, and most of them end up in landfills<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also get rid of 21 billion pounds of textiles every year, which is roughly 5% of all the waste generated in the country, according to the Council for Textile Recycling<\/a>. This waste ends up emitting greenhouse gasses as it accumulates in landfills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of contributing to this problem, repurpose your old mattresses<\/a> and bedding by giving them a new home<\/a> or getting crafty with their materials<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few fun and easy ways to give these bedroom items new life include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n