Natural Home Products

The bleak colors of winter can have us all craving a little more color in our lives.  Some bright red will get your heart warming; some relaxing greens; or some bright and sunny yellows to brighten up your mood.  The psychology of color is fascinating.  Color can affect how we feel, it can impact our moods, and it can literally set a tone (or palette if you’d like) that colors the backdrop of our day. 

Adding a little color to your home can help to set the appropriate mood. And while color choice is a very personal matter, being aware of the impact that color has on your mood can help you to pick just the right color for your indoor space. Yellow colors are warm and welcoming, in an attention- getting way. Green is a relaxing color that instils calmness.  While Red instils feelings of intimacy and passion it also packs a wallop, physiologically speaking, increasing blood pressure, heartbeat, energy and appetite in most people. Orange, like red, tends to warm, but in a friendlier, welcoming way. Blue is part of the cool color palette and makes us feel calm and tranquil and blue can be an appetite suppressant. Purple is a tricky color, psychologically speaking. Many adults dislike purples (being more fond of the rose family of colors) while young children, on the other hand, respond favourably to violet.

Choosing color to add to your room is a very personal matter.  You can add a lot of color to a room by painting and decorating, or you may just want to add a splash of color with accessories.  Add colour by placing a colourful vase and flowers in your dining room, some new bamboo towels in the bathroom, maybe even a colourful bedspread will help to set the mood. Be aware of the impact that color can have on your mood before you pick up that paint brush or purchase your accessories and you can set the appropriate mood for your indoor space.

A new crop of fabrics being made from unconventional materials such as bamboo, soy, and hemp are emerging and as awareness grows about cotton’s downsides, these unconventional fabrics are garnering more attention.  Fabrics produced from hemp have long captured the eco-minded consumer’s imagination, being cultivated for use in clothing and other products for thousands of years.  While hemp requires few, if any, insecticides or herbicides to grow and produces long, strong fibres suitable for clothing and other products, hemp production remains heavily regulated in the U.S.  Consequently, most hemp grown for cloth is imported from China and Eastern Europe, and the price for most hemp goods remains relatively high.

Of the new fabrics to emerge, bamboo has perhaps garnered the most attention.  Bamboo has become a popular fabric, not only because of its sustainability (bamboo requires few, if any, pesticides to grow) but also because of its versatility.  With a surprising softness and sheen, bamboo fabric is popular with a number of innovative clothing designers, who are incorporating bamboo fabric into everything from t-shirts to designer dresses. The naturally antibacterial, quick-drying, absorbent bamboo material also lends itself well to a variety of athletic wear.  And bamboo’s surprising softness and sheen makes it a popular choice for many household products, from bamboo bed sheets, to bamboo bath towels and table linens.

A less common, but equally promising material is soy fabric.  Developed in China in 1999, soy fabric is still primarily in its developmental stages.  Soy fibres are created by extracting proteins from the remainders of tofu production and fusing these proteins with organic compounds to create a fibre strong enough to be spun into yarn.  While the soy fabric’s use is limited, the soybean fibre is beginning to appear in items like socks, sheets, and yoga clothing.  The use of soy fabric and the development of other such unconventional fabrics will continue to expand as the demand for more earth friendly materials continues to grow.

With the festivities of Christmas and New Years behind us, it is time to take a little rest, relaxation….and maybe just a little pampering to start the New Year.   A warm soak in a hot bath is always a nice way to unwind at the end of a day….not to mention the end of a busy Christmas season.   The comfort of a hot soak and a warm plush towel go a long way to sooth the soul and to relax the body and mind.

Earth friendly bamboo towels are the perfect finishing touch to a warm bath.  Bamboo towels give you plush softness with a silky touch, combined with absorbency that surpasses cotton. While bamboo towels are known for their durability, the bamboo fibre is also naturally hypo-allergenic and odour resistant.  Bamboo towels are soft, plush and comforting; so go ahead and indulge yourself in this natural luxury.  Bamboo towels are not only beneficial for our environment; they are good for your body and soul.

In our fast paced world, getting a good night of sleep is not always easy.  Having comfortable bedding can help us sleep well and to wake up feeling revitalized and refreshed each morning. Organic bedding provides a healthy sleeping environment while providing the comfort needed for a good night’s rest.  Natural wool bedding, including wool duvets and wool pillows are becoming an increasingly popular choice of organic bedding, favoured for their natural comfort and for the health benefits associated with wool products.

Organic wool duvets and wool pillows are a healthy and friendly alternative to synthetics or down.  Wool bedding is naturally resistant to dust mites, mould and mildew, making this organic bedding an excellent choice for those who suffer from allergies.  Wool is a highly breathable product and both wool duvets and wool pillows help to naturally regulate body temperature.  Rather than trapping heat and moisture like synthetic or down products, natural wool bedding breathes, adapting to your body temperature.  Acting as a natural thermal regulator, wool bedding keeps you warm but not hot, cool but not cold. Natural wool is supportive and comfortable, making it a natural choice for pillows.  Also, wool duvets are not heavy and do not bunch up, so they remain light and allow us to move freely while we sleep. Wool is natural, renewable and bio-degradable, so we can sleep well in this comfortable organic bedding knowing that it is good for us and good for the environment.

While cotton remains one of the most popular textiles for clothing and bedding, the unsustainable farming practises used for growing cotton are damaging cotton’s once pure reputation.  The National Geographic’s Green Guide outlines the heavy use of chemicals used to grow cotton:  the use of insecticides, herbicides, and defoliants used in conventional cotton farming practices account for approximately 25% of all global insecticide use and more than 10% of global pesticide use.  In the USA alone, the 10.5 million acres of convention cotton grown in 2007 were sprayed with a staggering 55 million pounds of pesticides.  And while the use of pesticides is common, they are hardly safe.  The toxic accumulations in the cotton, in the soil, and in the groundwater are having disturbing consequences for both the environment and the people and animals that share the earth’s resources.  And the bad news about conventional cotton does not end there.   After the cotton is harvested, it typically undergoes a number of processes including regular bleaching and dying processes that will add another whole host of chemicals and dioxins into the cotton product and into environment.

So with all the chemicals involved in growing and processing cotton it begs the question, what are you sleeping on?   When you stop to consider that approximately one third of our lives are spent sleeping, it is easy to realize just how important healthy bedding products are to our general health and well being.     There is no need to snuggle up to synthetic fabrics or insecticide-laden cotton when there are healthier options available.   Organic sheets are now easier to find than ever, with options available in every price range.  Organic cotton sheets can reduce our daily exposure to pesticide residues.  Buying organic also helps to support more sustainable farming methods.  Make sure to look for an all-organic product when buying any bedding.  Look for organic sheets that have not undergone chlorine bleaching and have not been treated with any potentially toxic dyes or other fabric treatments.  While these organic bed sheets come in fewer style and pattern options, you can rest easy knowing your chemical free sheets are not only cozy and comfy, they are contributing to your health and well being.

As shops across North America gear up for Christmas, consumers will find a greater variety of green and eco-friendly gifts this holiday season.   Fuelled by the public’s concern for the environment, the number of organic and eco-friendly toys and gifts available in North American shops has grown dramatically in the last few years.  And, eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean “expensive” this holiday season! While consumers recognize that “green” gifts are great for the environment and parents recognize that “green” toys can provide a positive experience for children, cost has sometimes been an issue. But with greater choice available, living green and being eco-friendly won’t mean that you have to compromise on the gifts you choose to give this holiday season.

Green toys make wonderful Christmas gifts for the kids in your life. Many toys made from renewable, regenerative, and recycled resources, are showing up in local toy stores.  These green toys consider the earth while also considering the safety and enjoyment of your children.  Recycled plastic is showing up in a variety of toys so look for the recycled label when choosing toys like buckets and shovels and other plastic toys.  Handcrafted wooden toys still remain popular and chances are your child will be able to pass their wooden toys on to their own children some day, making these toys a great investment.   Green themed toys such as the recycling truck are also proving popular.  There are so many eco friendly toys this Christmas that are fun, creative, and environmentally friendly.

Many traditional gifts are also finding an eco-friendly twist this year, making eco-friendly gifts for all ages easier to find. There are so many eco-friendly home products that make great gifts and can range anywhere from solar lighting to new LED Christmas lights or outdoor LED Christmas decorations.  Luxurious bathrobes, towels and linens can be found in a variety of eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, hemp, or 100% organic cotton.  Giving bamboo bath towels, hemp table linens, or 100% organic cotton bedding will add a luxuriously “green” touch to your gift giving.  For a more personal touch, try some of the new organic bath and body products.  There is a great variety of organic hand lotions and handmade soaps that make a perfect eco-friendly gift.  Whatever your choice this Christmas, you will find that living green and being eco-friendly will add a special touch to your gifts this holiday season.

Our bedrooms should be a pleasant and peaceful retreat, but can often smell a little less than “fresh”.  As winter approaches and we tend to keep our windows closed more often, there are some tips we can follow to keep our bedrooms smelling pleasant, naturally.  Of course a fresh smelling room always begins with a clean room.  Keeping all dirt and dust out of the bedroom is not only healthy, it enhances better indoor air quality. 

A thorough cleaning of the bedroom to remove all dirt and dust will not only eliminate a host of allergens and irritants from the air, it will help to keep your bedroom smelling fresh.  Vacuuming all carpet surfaces with a vacuum equipped with strong suction, rotating brushes and a HEPA filter ensures that dust and dirt won’t get blown back out in the exhaust. Mopping non-carpeted floors will pick up the dust that vacuuming left behind. You can skip the soaps and cleaners and just use plain water to capture any lingering dust or allergens or add a little white vinegar to the water for extra cleaning power.  You may want to try the new microfiber mops (and dust cloths), they reportedly capture more dust and dirt than traditional fibres and don’t require any cleaning solutions.

The vacuum is also a good piece of equipment to freshen up your box spring and bed mattress.  A regular vacuuming of your box spring and your bed mattress will help to keep dust mites under control.  To help draw any scent out of the mattress, you can sprinkle a light dusting of baking soda on the mattress, leave for half an hour and then vacuum thoroughly.  Making your bed with fresh sheets will add a nice scent.  Using bamboo bed sheets will help to keep the bed smelling fresh; bamboo sheets are naturally bacteria and odour resistant.

Having a clean, fresh room will help to keep your bedroom smelling fresh.  If you want to add a light scent to the bedroom, avoid using synthetic “air fresheners” and opt instead for naturally scented products.  A little potpourri or naturally scented room crystals or even a dab of aromatherapy essential oil to scent a few hankies will leave a fresh light scent in the room.  If it is not too cold outside, consider opening a window and letting in some fresh air. With a quick cleaning and some natural home products, you can enjoy a fresh smelling bedroom any time of the year!

Though generally known for its ornamental qualities, bamboo is becoming an excellent low impact farming opportunity.  Popular in East and South East Asia, Bamboo is a versatile grass with species that can survive in diverse climates from cold mountains to hot tropical regions. Some species of bamboo can be used like wood, but have the advantage of growing 50 times faster than most trees.  Unlike hard and softwood trees, bamboo can grow very quickly and can be harvested in only a few years.  Depending on local soil and climate conditions, bamboo will commonly grow 3 to 6 inches per day, with some species growing up to 3 or 4 feet per day in preferable climates. These species can range from small one inch diameter poles up to larger 12 inch diameter bamboo that will grow 80 to 100 feet tall in 3 to 4 years.

Treated, bamboo is a very hard wood that is both lightweight and very durable.  These qualities make bamboo an excellent construction material with a variety of applications such as fences, bridges, and furniture.  Harvesting bamboo for wood requires care to select mature stems that are several years old.  First-year bamboo stems, although fully sized, are not fully developed and are not as strong as more mature stems.  This hard wood alternative is becoming increasingly popular in homes as bamboo flooring, providing a viable alternative to hard wood flooring.

Bamboo fibre has been used for centuries to make paper and more recently to make a host of yarn and fabric products.   Bamboo fabric is soft and somewhat silky and has claims of natural antibacterial properties.  The many uses of bamboo fibre are showing up in bamboo clothing, bamboo bed sheets, and bamboo towels.  As the many uses of bamboo continue to increase, so too will the popularity of bamboo as an excellent low impact farming opportunity.

Many Health agencies across North America are suggesting that proper hand washing remains our best defence against the spread of illness.  Many advisories have been distributed outlining proper hand washing technique:  To Wash Your Hands Properly you must use soap and warm, running water.  Make sure to wet your hands before applying a liberal amount of soap to your hands. Rub your hands vigorously for 20 seconds.  You can try singing two rounds of “Happy Birthday” for timing your hand washing.  Make sure you wash all surfaces including:  the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers, the tips of your fingers, and under your fingernails. Then rinse your hands well and dry with paper towel.

While the recommended use of paper towel is practical in public bathrooms, hand towels remain a comforting and practical solution for our homes.  The concern with hand towels is that they hold moisture and can become a breeding ground for the germs that we are trying to wash away.  There are however, a few practical tips for reducing the spread of germs in our homes, while maintaining simple comforts like hand towels.  Comforting advice for those concerned with the amount of waste that is produced by disposable paper towelling. 

The first and most obvious advice for reducing the spread of germs in our homes is frequent and proper house cleaning    Special attention to bathrooms and other sinks and counter space is essential. To reduce the risk of spreading illness, it would also be suggested that you change your hand towels often.  You may also want to try using bamboo hand towels.  Bamboo towels contain a natural and unique agent called “bamboo kun” which has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties.  A bamboo towel will also dry faster than their cotton counterparts. With a clean home, proper hand washing, and a fresh hand towel, the risk of spreading illness will diminish.

There is no better relaxation than a day at the spa.  The quiet calm, the relaxation…the pampering.   While we crave the experience, we may not always have the time, not to mention the money to hit the local day spa.  But it is important to remember that the luxurious calm feeling provided by the spa is all about taking the time to pamper yourself.  With a little planning and a few ingredients from your local drug store or beauty shop, you can create your own luxurious spa at home and pamper yourself with an amazing relaxing experience.

So go ahead…set aside some time in your day, or week, to give yourself the great gift of relaxation.  You will need to plan out a few details in advance, like finding a quiet setting and perhaps picking up a few spa ingredients ahead of time. There are some great home facial products available at the drug store as well as full manicure and pedicure sets.   So go ahead and indulge yourself.  Start by setting the spa mood with a few aromatherapy candles and some amazing mood music.  A great facial or a manicure or pedicure will have you looking great and feeling fine.  Top off your spa treatment with a long soak in a warm bath laced with sweet smelling mineral salts, then finish off by wrapping yourself in a plush spa style bamboo bathrobe.  Lounging in a warm, comfortable, and inviting bamboo bathrobe is a perfect way to enjoy your new found sense of calm and relaxation; a gift given to yourself.