Giveaways Greener Living House & Home

How to Make Your Bedroom an Eco-Friendly Sanctuary

Tips for Creating an Eco-Friendly Bedroom

We spend about a third of our lives in bed, so a comfortable and tranquil bedroom is one indulgence I yearn to have. But with a toddler still sleeping in my room, a dog under the bed, and late night “Mommy! Mommy!” calls from my kindergartner, it’s not as easy as I would hope!

I still do my best to create an eco-friendly and non-toxic sanctuary though. Choosing greener options doesn’t have to be difficult or prohibitively expensive. Here are a few ideas to start.

  1. Select soft, restful colours for your bedroom walls and decor. A 2013 study by Travelodge found that people who sleep in blue, green, and yellow bedrooms get the most sleep. Whatever colour you choose, make sure the paint you buy is VOC (volatile organic compound) free.
  2. Consider the environmental impact when buying furniture. Choose furniture made from certified sustainable wood, bamboo, or reclaimed/recycled materials. Or buy vintage! 
  3. Use bedside or floor lamps with energy-efficient LED bulbs for soft area lighting instead of a harsh overhead light.
  4. Choose carpets or area rugs made from textiles with low chemical emissions or from natural fibers like wool. Avoid Stainmaster coating, a perfluorochemical (PFC) that pollutes water supplies and persists long-term in both the environment and in our bodies.
  5. Choose luxurious, eco-friendly bamboo bedding.

Choose eco-friendly bedding like Cariloha's bamboo duvet and duvet cover.

I’ve been a big fan of Cariloha ever since trying their ultra soft bamboo resort sheets last year and seeing first hand how they helped keep us cool on summer nights. But bamboo isn’t just for summer! For the past few weeks I’ve been keeping warm and cozy under Cariloha’s newest addition to their bedding line-up, a duvet comforter made entirely from viscose from bamboo.

Cariloha’s new all-season bamboo duvet ($279) is both thinner and denser than the old down duvet I had, and it keeps me just as warm. Bamboo is naturally thermally regulating as well as odour and allergen resistant, which of course makes it an excellent choice for bedding. Even though I have never had any issues, some people may experience feather allergies or even asthma symptoms when using down comforters and duvets. Down also comes with ethical issues depending on how it is gathered. Many places around the world still collect down by plucking it from live birds, and that’s something I refuse to support.

Cariloha's new all-season bamboo duvet is made inside and out from viscose from bamboo.

Image courtesy of Cariloha

In comparison, bamboo is one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable resources on the planet. Bamboo grows quickly and thrives without the need for pesticides or herbicides. Bamboo uses significantly less water than cotton, filters toxins from contaminated soil, absorbs up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare, and produces 30% more oxygen than a similarly sized hardwood forest. However, the processing required to turn it into fabric isn’t always the same. As a green family, it’s important to me that Cariloha’s rayon from bamboo is manufactured in a closed-loop process that keeps pollutants out of the environment and makes the process as environmentally friendly as the bamboo itself.

Cariloha also carries matching duvet cover sets ($219) in four nature-inspired colours: white, graphite, blue lagoon, and Caribbean mint. Each set includes a sateen finish duvet cover with wooden button closures and two matching pillow shams with mitered flanges and French-flap closures. I chose the set in graphite. I love how restful this colour is!

Cariloha duvet covers close with small wooden buttons and come in four nature-inspired colours: white, graphite, blue lagoon, and Caribbean mint.

Like all their luxury bamboo items, the duvet cover and pillow shams feel incredibly soft and stay cool to the touch all night long. Paired with our Cariloha resort sheets, it’s seriously like sleeping on a cloud. At the end of a long, busy day with my kids, settling into bed, pulling the duvet over me, and closing my eyes is just about the best moment of the day.

Connect with Cariloha on Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

Win a Cariloha Duvet and Cover!

Cariloha duvet and cover giveaway (US/CAN, 4/18)

Cariloha is giving one lucky reader the gift of luxurious sleep! One winner from the US or Canada will receive a bamboo duvet comforter and duvet cover set in colour of choice, a prize package worth $498!

Enter using the giveaway widget below. This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada, 18+. All entries will be verified. The giveaway will end on April 18, 2016, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

While you’re here, check out my other open giveaways on my Giveaway Page!

Disclosure: I received sample items to facilitate this post. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ. This post contains affiliate links. This West Coast Mommy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. I will receive a small commission if you purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you. This income helps pay for the operating costs of my website – thank you for your support!

Leave a Comment

153 Comments