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Tips for Eliminating Bed Bugs

September 7, 2011 By Admin Leave a Comment

This year a number of hotel guests have had to deal with unwanted roommates with bedbugs lurking between mattress fibers and nipping at heels and ankles. It’s enough to deal with this inconvenience while away, but the last thing you want to do is bring any home as souvenirs! Once bedbugs get into your home, they can be a pain to completely eliminate, therefore it’s important to take thorough measures in cleaning your house so it remains pest-free. As with getting rid of lice, bedbug hunting will require planning and timely execution, so if you need help remember these tips.

Vacuum Your Rooms

The second you suspect the little biting bugs have invaded your space, get all fabric out of the rooms – strips sheets and remove clothing – and use a high-powered vacuum on the carpets. Take your hose extension and get every inch of the mattress as well, keeping an eye out for the pests. You’ll need to make sure you get eggs and larvae as well, and clean out your vacuum when you are done.

Dry Clean Everything

Your first instinct may be to run load after load of laundry, but this could prove a fruitless effort. Even in high water temperatures, bedbugs can survive a spin and wash and remain in your sheets. Your fabrics will require a chemical treatment that takes care of the pests for good. If you do not have it in your budget to dry clean everything, send what you use most out and take the rest of your fabric in air tight bags and leave them in a safe place for several weeks. Cutting off the oxygen supply can help eliminate what bugs are left, then wash on hot before restocking.

Use Garment Bags

For clothing and sheets you don’t use often, use garment bags for protection. You may find them at your local bedding or home store. This will help keep pests away from your fabrics while in storage.

Call an Exterminator

When all else fails, hire a pest control specialist to take care of your bed bug problem. Depending on the severity of your infestation, you may be required to leave while the chemicals take effect. However, a day of inconvenience far outweighs a longer period of dealing with insects.

Bedbugs are a nuisance, but thankfully can be controlled and eliminated if you know what to do. Be diligent and vigilant, and you will be fine.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on latex mattresses and organic mattresses.

Filed Under: Eco, Green Living, Health Tips, Latex Mattresses, Nutrition, Organic Bedding, Rest Tagged With: ,

Back Pain Cures – How Buying a New Mattress May Help

July 1, 2011 By Admin Leave a Comment

People plagued by back pain often have trouble sleeping at night – this goes without saying. If you have suffered a similar problem where you are kept awake hours on end because the pain is too great, you definitely need to find relief. The longer your sleep schedule is interrupted, the greater the chance your back pain will compound other health problems. Chiropractic care, massages, and even medication can help relieve this disorder, but you might also want to consider getting a new mattress to suit your body.

How does a new mattress help in soothing your backaches? Well, take into consideration how long you have had your current mattress. Typically, such bedding is good for about ten to twenty years, depending on use and components. There are other factors, too, such as whether or not you sleep alone or if the mattress has sustained damage. If age is a factor, it’s definitely time to get a newer model, one that is well-suited to your frame and can support you as you sleep.

The purchase of a mattress made of natural materials, like organic cotton, latex, and wool batting, may not only improve how you sleep, but how your body reacts to its surroundings. Nine time out of ten when you purchase furnishings for your home, that which is not organic may come treated with chemicals and preservatives. If you are unaware of certain allergies created by these chemicals, you could acquire an illness related to your back problems. A change in your environment is a good way to determine is something is making you not feel well.

Buying new bedding for your home lets you experiment with mattress firmness as well. As you shop, you can test different styles, everything from waterbeds to adjustable air to memory foam, to determine how well you are supported. A specific kind of bed may encourage you to sleep in a different position than you normally would, and this in turn could improve your overall sleeping habits.

When you sleep better, you will notice you feel healthier all around, not just a relief of back pain. Good sleep can determine how well you function at work, how quickly you lose weight, and how well you maintain mental focus.

As you shop for your next mattress, take a look at all the possibilities. A new model can reduce lower back pain and promote a better night’s rest, and better days.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on latex mattresses and organic mattresses.

Filed Under: Allergies and Health, Health Tips, Latex Mattresses, Organic Bedding, Rest Tagged With: , ,

How to Clean Your Bed Pillows

May 10, 2011 By Admin Leave a Comment

To enjoy a good night’s sleep, free of irritations, you may find regular laundering of your sheets and pillowcases helps clear away any possible allergens. Choose organic sheets that aren’t filled with dyes and other component that could impede your comfort, and use a non-irritating detergent when you wash. Switch out sheet sets every few weeks for best results. As clean as you strive to keep your home, there is always the chance for dust and mites, and pet dander if you have a four-footed friend. What should you do, though, about your actual pillows?

Over time, even if you do have pillowcases, the pillows you use at night will show wear and retain mites and other things that could make it difficult for you to rest. This is because as you sleep, you lose moisture, and it is absorbed into your pillow and mattress. While’s it easy to wash away soil and sweat from most of your bedding, you can’t simply toss a pillow into your washer, unless it is sturdy enough for the cycle. Feather or down-stuffed pillows, for example, definitely require gentler care, as do organic pillows made with natural latex rubber.

It’s important to check the care labels to determine what soaps can and cannot be used on the surface. You might think it isn’t a big deal, since you’ll likely have a case over the pillow, but if you use a scented soap or a detergent with chemicals remember that your face will be on that pillow as you sleep. You will breathe what is emitted, so think carefully about how you clean it.

One way to ensure the cleanliness of your pillows is to dissolve a “green” detergent in warm water and, using a sponge or rag, gently wipe the surface. Depending on the sturdiness of the pillow, you can tumble dry or let it air dry in a clean spot. Replace the cases when completely dry.

Some people may choose to sleep on pillows without cases. This is not unusual if you have an organic pillow made with a soft, cotton cover. The feel of the material against your face may be pleasing and help you sleep better. If you don’t use pillowcases, you should consider washing your pillows frequently so stains and soils won’t embed too deeply over time.

Cleaning your pillows the right way on a regular basis helps ensure that your bedroom remains clean and your sleep undisturbed.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on organic pillows and latex mattresses.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Latex Mattresses, Rest

How to Increase the Quality of the Sleep You Get

May 3, 2011 By Admin Leave a Comment

The more you sleep, the better your body recovers from the trials and tribulations of the day. In a perfect world we would all enjoy eight uninterrupted hours of deep sleep, comfortable in our beds, but for many of us that is just a dream. If we manage to get away with six, it stands to reason we should make the time count, but what can we do to ensure the time spent horizontal is done well?

Sleep repairs your body after a long day. Whether you work in an office or outdoors, various stresses and age take effect and leave you feeling exhausted by day’s end. Add the food you eat, and other activities you do, and it’s important to recharge your batteries so you can start over the next day. If you find you don’t sleep well enough during the day, you need to take stock of your sleep environment and improve it. The sooner you do, the better for your body and mental health.

Your bed: Toss and turn much? If your bed is no longer doing it for you, time to get a new one. You may not realize it, but traditional coil mattresses are often treated with chemicals to preserve them. Even if you put on sheets, fumes from the chemicals can seep through and irritate you at night. If you are going to lie down on something, consider trading up to a natural latex mattress that supports your body and promotes healthier sleep.

Your clothes: What do you wear when you sleep? If your pajamas are feeling too tight, your body may unconsciously shift for comfort in the night and make it difficult for you to relax. Consider looser clothing that breathes, like organic cotton.

Your room: Where does the light from your bedroom window come in? It’s possible lamp light from outside is enough to jar you awake. You may wish to invest in heavier curtains or wooden blinds that securely seal off any light. Keep your door closed to block out any further noise and relax.

Your diet: No more late night pizzas and ice cream? While it may sound good now, eating too many fatty foods before bedtime can do a number on your stomach and leave you feeling worse when you wake. Try to limit late snacking and, if you must, try healthier alternatives.

Simple adjustments to what you do and where you sleep can make a world of difference. Take care of your sleep environment, and yourself, for better shuteye.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on good sleep tips and latex mattresses.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Latex Mattresses, Rest

How to Avoid Sleep Deprivation

April 28, 2011 By Admin Leave a Comment

What is worse than spending yet another night wide awake, with no relief in sight? If you have suffered sleep deprivation for some time now, you may think anything is better than your present discomfort. When you do not get the recommended amount of sleep, you will sludge through work and the day exhausted. You lack energy and consequently make poor decisions that affect your health. Attempts to stay awake when it’s important could further impede any opportunities to sleep. What do you do?

First, it’s important to determine what keeps you from sleeping. Causes will differ between people who suffer insomnia or related problems. Your inability to rest well could be related to job or home stress, an undiagnosed medical condition, or your present environment. Different factors come into play, and it’s up to you to figure out how to remedy the situation so you can at last get some shuteye.

If the problem is mental, it could be a simple matter of resolving all problems at work or home so they don’t keep you awake at night. Try to find a relaxing activity before bedtime that does not overwork your mind and keep it too active, thereby preventing you from winding down. Some people may find watching TV before bed is relaxing, but if you discover it has the opposite effect, try something else.

If your surroundings are the culprit, definitely consider making a change. Invest in a natural latex mattress that offers a comfortable base for your sleep, and purchase heavy curtains or wooden blinds to block out any light from outside. If noise is a problem, too, you may wish to try a device that emulates noise-canceling sounds or gentle nature rhythms designed to lull you sleep.

Do you eat before bedtime? This is usually not a good idea, particularly if you have something that soon disagrees with you. Most diet experts suggest refraining from food after a certain point – usually after 7-8PM. Give your body time to digest dinner and drink water to detox instead.

Lastly, you can always try going to bed at an earlier time. If you are tempted to burn the midnight oil getting some necessary projects completed, take into account that some things can wait until the next day – your health is more important.

A comfortable sleep environment, attention to other habits like eating and smoking before bed, and relief of stress can help encourage sleep and reduce problems associated with deprivation. Make the changes for the better, and you’ll see better results.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on sleep health and organic mattresses.

Filed Under: Health Tips, Latex Mattresses, Rest Tagged With: ,

Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

March 30, 2011 By Admin Leave a Comment

There’s nothing worse than waking up and feeling like you want to go back to bed.

You look longingly at your latex mattress and know that’s where you want to be. Where you need to be. Because you didn’t get enough sleep.

As you settle back down on your latex mattress and snuggle under the covers, consider this:  one-third of Americans do not sleep the recommended seven to nine hours every night, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control.

Even if you have the most comfortable latex mattress that conforms to your body, you may be sabotaging your sleep without even knowing it. Remember these tips to help you sleep better.

Avoid Alcohol. Alcohol is a sneaky culprit. It might make you initially sleepy but it interferes with getting deep sleep. So you’re tired, you sleep all night, but wake up less than refreshed.

Exercise early in the day. Experts recommend your workouts end no less than three hours before you go to bed. Your body needs time to cool down to make it easier to fall asleep.

Other habits (albeit obvious) to avoid: caffeine and cigarettes. These are stimulants that stay in your system for hours. When you’re lying on your luxurious latex mattress, the last thing you want do is waste your sleep hours listening to your heart beat slightly faster than normal.

Keep your shades drawn. Have you ever noticed how dark a hotel room can get? That’s because hoteliers know artificial and regular sunlight interferes with falling asleep. Light can trick your body into thinking it’s still daytime.

Use your latex mattress only for sleeping. When you climb into bed, don’t watch TV or read a book.

Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This helps set your body into a natural sleep pattern.

Lastly, make sure you’re sleeping on a real latex mattress. Not only is it resistant to dust mites but it also repels mold and mildew – two major contributors to asthma and pulmonary allergies.

Filed Under: Allergies and Health, Green Living, Health Tips, Latex Mattresses, Organic Bedding, Rest, Sleep Tagged With: , ,

A Health Plan for America Begins with the Basics

December 21, 2009 By Admin Leave a Comment

A new health plan for America is the current and constant topic up for debate and it seem that everyone has an opinion. The only agreement is that we all need to stay as healthy as possible and enjoy the highest quality of life, but there are more keys to good health than doctors, hospitals and drugs.

The building blocks of good health are fresh air, clean water, a balanced diet, proper exercise, rest and deep, peaceful sleep. When all the life sustaining components are met in harmony and balance, then health risks are reduced; add in a dose of love and companionship and we will all feel better!

Nutrition and exercise are often addressed when discussing healthy lifestyles, but rest and sleep are frequently neglected; while lack of sleep remains a chief complaint among many Americans.

Busy schedules, stress and improper mattresses and bedding account for the growing numbers of our sleep deprived population.

Your bedroom should be your own special sleep sanctuary. Eliminate things such as televisions, computers and other distractions and keep your bedroom clean, simple and fresh. Create a sleep sanctuary that is calm, cool and as organic and natural as possible.

Starting with your mattress and working outward seems most logical when creating your sleep environment.

- How old is your mattress?
Most conventional mattresses are designed to need replacing within 5 – 7 years.

If your mattress is 5 years old or older, chances are, it’s time for a new one. If you have a quality natural latex mattress, then it should last 20 or more years before retirement is required.

- How comfortable is your mattress?
As our bodies age, we may need a sleep surface that offers additional layers of softness. Perhaps a new organic mattress topper is the solution; a few inches of natural latex can make a considerable difference.

- Are allergies keeping your from a good nights rest?
Conventional mattresses and bedding can harbor dust mites, mold and mildew.

Natural latex mattresses are mold, mildew and dust mite resistant and most quality organic mattresses contain organic wool which acts as a natural fire barrier while it wicks away moisture.

- Are you hot at night?
Are you waking up feeling over heated? The chemical reactions between your body and conventional mattresses can make you feel uncomfortably hot while you are sleeping. Natural latex mattresses have temperature regulating properties that adjust to your body temperature so over heating is never a problem.

The same applies to organic wool comforters and natural and organic pillows.

- How do you select the right mattress?
Choosing a comfort level is an individual decision, whether your preference is firm, medium or soft, but remember that you can always make a mattress softer by adding a topper, however, you cannot make a mattress firmer.

Consult with a knowledgeable sleep expert. Most reputable mattress companies will have trained staff members to help you select the perfect mattress for your specific needs.

Natural, organic latex mattresses generally are the best choice for healthy sleep. When shopping for your new organic mattress, choose a company that has been in the organic industry for a considerable amount of time. Many companies are only recently offering organic selections and far too many are simply combining non-organic components with minimal amounts of natural products and calling the “green”.

- Buying directly from the manufacturer
Consider buying directly from an organic mattress manufacturer.

Generally, the warranty is the same as if buying from a retailer while the discount may be greater. Organic mattress manufacturers such as Organic Mattress Factory, which produces CozyPure® organic mattresses, periodically offer consumers factory direct pricing which exceeds savings normally found at retail establishments.

In essence, one of the best personal health plans for Americans is to invest in quality, healthy sleep. A new natural, organic mattress may be the best solution to staying out of the doctor’s office and avoiding expensive medications.

Remember; eat well, sleep well and breathe plenty of fresh, clean air.

- Rex

Filed Under: Allergies and Health, Health Tips, Uncategorized

The key to living in any area that is storm prone is being prepared

November 20, 2009 By Admin Leave a Comment

The November 2009 Nor’ Easter is now history, but damage throughout Hampton Roads remains.

I faired well. My little house sustained no damage and with the exception of no electricity for nearly 30 hours, I was unharmed and maybe a bit wiser and more grateful as a result.

Without electricity, some of the luxuries we assume are basic in our life cease to function. Without electricity my computer was unable to operate and I found myself suffering from writer’ s withdrawal. Finally, by candle light, with paper and pencil, I recorded my thoughts and inspirations; it was quite enjoyable.

On the downside, as each hour without power passed, my house became colder. The wind and rain pounded, which increased the psychological effects of the chill. As I sat in the living-room, using a coffee table with 3 illuminated candles as a writing desk, I realized our human vulnerability to the elements. With out fur or scales like most of the other inhabitants of this planet we need something to protect us from the elements.

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Decidedly chilled, I grabbed my CozyPure organic wool comforter from my bed and carried it to the living room. I wrapped myself in it’ s warmth and continued to write. The weather was all the inspiration I needed as my comforter sheltered me from the cold. I felt warm, safe, secure and content.

Cuddling under my hand-tuffed, chemical-free Amaizing Wool comforter with it’ s crisp skal certified organic cotton covering, I began to fantasize about days gone by; before their was electrically powered homes and modern heating systems. I thought about what life must have been like when people cared for themselves with what nature had provided for them. My CozyPure organic wool comforter is much like what folks from long ago would have used for warmth, comfort and security. In truth, my Amaizing Wool comforter may be more elegantly crafted and durable than those from days gone by, but essentially, it is much the same; pure and natural.

The key to living in any area that is storm prone is being prepared. I keep candles, flashlights and my comforter handy just in case and now is the perfect time for making preparations! CozyPure Organic Wool Comforters are on sale through November, so don’ t delay! Call us at 800-229-7571 to order yours now!

Filed Under: Allergies and Health, Health Tips, Uncategorized

Americans Spend 26 Years of Their Life Asleep

July 28, 2009 By Admin Leave a Comment

Think about this for a moment: the average American will spend about 26 years of their life asleep – that’ s 227,760 hours! The quality of those sleeping hours can have a profound effect on one’ s life. Sleep, nutrition, fresh air and proper exercise are the foundation of a good life; without these key ingredients, we become slothish and generally unhealthy. By contrast, good sleep allows us to be alert, healthy and much happier; our lives become enhanced and more fulfilled. Our academic, social, family and work accomplishments expand in direct correlation to our sleep quality, yet most Americans give too little consideration to their sleep environment.

Have you ever wondered what you are sleeping on? What’ s underneath the fabric surrounding your mattress? Who designed your mattress? Who built it and where was your mattress made? What possible chemicals are seeping out and just as important; what’ s living inside your mattress?

Chances are, if you are like most Americans, you are sleeping on a mattress made from twisted, springy wires that have been covered in petroleum based foam and then tightly wrapped in a nylon covering that has been saturated with fire retardant chemicals.

So what’ s wrong with that?

  • Wires and springs do not give the body the even and natural support it requires, they can also cause blood flow restrictions, cause us to sleep restlessly and they simply wear out after a few years of use.
  • Traditional petroleum based mattress off gas and can harbor mold, mildew and dust mites.
  • Nylon and chemical fire retardants can off gas and be absorbed in threw our skin and respiratory system.

What’ s the solution?

  • For safe, even, comfortable and healthy sleep, the best option is a natural, organic latex mattress. Natural latex comes from the rubber tree and is dust mite, mold and mildew resistant. If the organic mattress is manufactured by a reputable American company such as CozyPure or Organic Mattress Factory, then you can be assured top quality components were used and fine craftsmanship was of utmost importance.
  • Wool or a vegetable based batting is used as a fire retardant instead of harsh chemicals, preventing potentially harmful off gassing, while wicking away the moisture we secrete during our sleep, helping to keep us dry and comfortable throughout the night.
  • The added bonus to a natural latex mattress, is that is not only is it healthy for you, but a quality organic mattress will last 20 years or more – that compares to the 5-7 year life expectancy of a traditional mattress.

Sleep is one of the most important aspects of life; poor or inadequate sleep can have life threatening consequences. At the very least, poor sleep will diminish your quality of life. Buying a good organic mattress could possibly be the greatest investment in your health that you will ever make.

CozyPure mattresses are manufactured right here at the Organic Mattress Factory using only the finest components available. Once you have placed your order, we get right to work on constructing your new organic mattress with loving care and your new sleep system is ready to leave our facility in about 5 days. You will be sleeping soundly and safely on your new bed in about a week to ten days and not have to worry about replacement for 20 years or more!

If you have been considering purchasing an organic mattress, this may be the best time to make that purchase; just in time for the end of summer and the beginning of fall and cooler weather. Imagine being all cuddled up in your new CozyPure bed before your busy holiday season begins! This is the perfect time to remake your bedrooms into fresh, safe organic sleep sanctuaries.

Filed Under: Allergies and Health, Health Tips, Organic Bedding

An organic mattress may be the best gift to give your child a head start in life

July 20, 2009 By Admin Leave a Comment

They might seem like adults sometimes and they might seem like small children at other times – it’ s the time in life when physical, biological, psychological and behavioral changes are occurring at lightning speed. Your son or daughter is no longer a child and not yet an adult – they have grown beyond adolescence but are not quite adult (NQA). As an NQA, your child faces adult decisions but is still dependant on you, at least in part, for financial and emotional support. Your child longs to complete the transition into adulthood but still needs your steady hand and guidance. Perhaps, at no other time in life can decisions made by your child have more life long consequences. As a good parent, this final stage of transition from your nest into the world, your role is critically important.

NQA’ s are often transitioning to college, their first fulltime job or their first apartment. They are in essence, going away from home for the first time, but more than likely, they will return several times before making the final leap.

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As you have cared for your child while they were growing; giving them a solid foundation for their future is just as important. How safe is their new environment? How healthy is their somewhat independent diet? Are they resting well and what are they sleeping on?

Eating on a limited budget or in a college cafeteria often involves heavy doses of starchy and processed foods. Furnished apartments and dorm rooms almost always contain inexpensive, unhealthy mattresses and bedding. For your child to perform at their optimum, they need proper nutrition and healthy, adequate sleep. Education, planning and budgeting can assist with their culinary needs and a quality organic mattress and pillow will help to ensure that they are not breathing and absorbing chemical containments. An organic sleep system makes a perfect parting gift for your ambitious offspring.

While shopping for organic mattresses and bedding, place major consideration on the manufacturer:

When you’ re ready to purchase your child’ s new mattress, look at companies such as Organic Comfort Zone, which has been doing ” green” business for twenty years, has a bricks and mortar retail store, mail order catalog and informative, educational websites as well as great customer service.

Remember, a good organic mattress is an investment. If your child is going to college, then their mattress will follow them home over the summer months. Eventually, that same mattress may be used for guests and finally become your grandchild’ s first ” big kid bed” . A quality organic mattress is designed to last for twenty years or more and may be passed from generation to generation. With proper care, an organic mattress will remain safe, healthy and comfortable, so when factoring in the cost of a new organic mattress over the lifespan; the cost of ownership is only pennies a day. As a long term investment, an organic mattress is one of the best values in today’ s market.

Allowing your NQA to test the waters of independence is difficult and exciting; it is stressful for both you and your child, but you and your offspring will sleep better knowing that they are resting on a safe, organic mattress, eating healthy, balanced meals and generally enjoy life and it’ s rewards.

Filed Under: Allergies and Health, Asthma, Health Tips, Nutrition, Sleep