How do I know if it's organic?

With so much green washing these days it's hard to tell what's truly organic and what contains a little organic content and what's just "natural." Labeling issues continue to plague our sleep industry and it leaves consumers to do their own research and still come up short. One group that is trying to clear it up for consumers is the Specialty Sleep Association's Green Initiative. This is a new three-tier labeling program that manufacturers can adopt to give full disclosure of the ingredients in their mattresses. While this does not include and exclusively organic level, it does let consumers know that a third party has reviewed and approved the contents that the manufacturer is claiming. So for all those other manufacturers that make organic claims, consumers should look for or ask for their certificates for the organic content of the raw materials in the mattress. Can the final product be classified organic? Not at this time. There is no "organic mattress" just a mattress made with organic cotton/wool fibers. Follow the SSA's Environmental Blog by SSA Consultant Vicki Worden to hear the latest in organic labeling and demystifying the organic claims so many companies are making.

Commodities Prices are going up and up...

Cotton prices are up more than 90% over the past year! Wool and Latex have also seen substantial increases in the past year. Below are a few reasons why we are seeing these increases:

• Floods & landslides have destroyed crops in China - the world's 3rd largest producer of cotton and Australia the world's 4th largest producer.
  
• Pakistan has also had 30% of its cotton crop destroyed due to flooding.

• India and China are seeing a surge in their middle class, so they are exporting less of their cotton goods and buying more latex for tire manufacturing

• Inclement weather in South East Asia has reduced the production of latex thereby limiting supply.
  

The good news - more US farmers are planting cotton this year as prices remain high! Sticking with domestic raw goods means a lower carbon footprint and lower transportation costs.

For more information on commodities prices go the this link - http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/?commodity=cotton

Undress your bed...

Mother always told us to make our beds, but unmaking is a healthier option. Your mattress needs to breathe, as we secrete a pint of fluid a night when we sleep. All that wet, warm, dark nastiness is a dust mite's favorite place to live and breed.

Ace Hotel and Suite Sleep

Have you heard? Fabulous Suite Sleep natural and organic mattresses are at the Ace Hotel New York, Palm Springs, and Portland. Getting a good night's sleep is important both at home and on the road. Since the primary function of a hotel is to have place to sleep while traveling, shouldn't it be the most important aspect of the room?

Stay at any one of the Ace Hotels and get 15% off of your next mattress purchase from Suite Sleep.

Sacrificing Sleep

In an attempt to "do it all" women will sacrifice sleep first!

Welcome to my blog. I look forward to hearing your comments and questions regarding organic mattresses and bedding.