New Living » organic mattress

Five Steps to a Healthier Home

Amanda DeMers — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:40:17 +0000

Sometimes figuring out how to make your home healthier can be overwhelming. There are so many studies, and articles, and editorials out there that you can’t wade through them all.

Or maybe you know a few healthy home projects you’d like to take on or purchases you’d like to make, but don’t know where to begin or how to prioritize. Almost everyday, someone asks which of our products is the most essential to having a healthy home.

We believe that to truly have a healthy home, one must consider many factors, and often make many changes. We can’t decide what’s right for your family, or tell you how to take on the task of creating a healthier home. We can, however, tell you that over the past few years, we have put together a list of the 5 most important things for you to consider. We hope it helps!

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1. Are you sleeping healthy?

We know we’ve said it before, but that’s because it is important: You spend one-third of your life in bed! Traditional mattresses contain toxic flame retardants, and petroleum-based memory foam mattresses have been found to off-gas numerous toxic chemicals, some of them carcinogenic. Does this sound like a place where you’d like to spend 20 to 30 years?

Organic, natural, and non-toxic mattresses are a safer alternative, and come in many different feels, and at many different price points. If you are in the market for a new mattress, these are definitely worth considering. If you are not looking to buy a new mattress, there are several covering options that make your mattress healthier — from airtight covers that eliminate off-gassing, to mattress toppers that put a little distance between you and your mattress. Of course, look for organic or natural linens as well!

2. Are you breathing healthy?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental dangers to the public. Poor indoor air quality can contribute to problems like allergies, asthma, and, according to the American Lung Association, even lung cancer. It can also exacerbate conditions like autism, cancer, and multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS).

Quality air filters remove biological and chemical particles from the air you and your family breathe. Austin Air filters are our favorite brand of plug-in filtration systems, and use medical HEPA filters, surrounded by activated carbon to address 99.97% of all environmental particulate contamination and chemical toxicity. These filtration systems are extremely efficient, cleaning either 700 or 1500 sq. ft. New Living can also help you if you are interested in testing the air in your home, or if you are interested in a whole house IQ air filter.

3. Is your water healthy?

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness about water quality issues. Many Houstonians probably don’t know that Houston has been found to have some of the worst water quality in the country. Additionally, the chemicals that Houston chooses to use to clean our water may have harmful effects of their own. While chlorine has traditionally been used to sterilize water, chloramine (a combination of chlorine and ammonia) has recently been introduced in Houston. Both chlorine and chloramine have been found to be respiratory irritants, and some studies suggest other long term health effects. The major problem with chloramine is that, unlike chlorine, it does not evaporate, and becomes concentrated when water is boiled. For a detailed overview, check this out!

Luckily for Houstonians, Al McDonald of AMAC water supply has developed a whole-house water filtration system that is tailored to Houston’s water. A whole-house water filter cleans the water you drink — and all other water that comes into your house. This is important because in a 15-minute shower, you absorb as many chemicals as you would from drinking half a gallon of water! With this system, your water will taste great, and your skin and hair will feel softer after your showers. The long term effects may be even better!

4. Are you painting healthy?

When you repaint, you consider the effect that a new color will have on your home. Why not also consider the effects of the new toxins you are introducing to the air you breathe? Traditional paints are so toxic that painters are the only professionals in the construction industry with a demonstrably lower life expectancy. This is because of the toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in traditional oil-based paints such as bezene and formaldehyde.

The great thing is that, all over the world, people are realizing that, in most cases, natural paints (which are water or plant based) can do the job just as well, without the added health effects. Our NOVOC paint, as well as paints by Mythic and Anna Sova, contain none of these harmful VOCs. They are great for painting walls. For masonry, wood, and metals, we recommend using our LOVOC (low-VOC) paint — which has far less toxic chemicals per gallon than traditional paint, but can still get these tricky jobs done. We can also provide guidance on how to get your painting job done in the healthiest and greenest way!

5. Are you shopping healthy?

Finally, and maybe this is the hardest one, it’s important to realize that anything you buy and bring home can have an effect on home health.

If you are a DIY family, make sure to choose materials and finishes that are low-VOC. Products like stains, caulk, adhesives, sealants, and shellac are far often more toxic than even traditional paint. We always like to remind people of the importance of looking at a project holistically. For instance, if you chose to buy a non-toxic flooring material, don’t undo yourself by using traditional adhesives or sealants!

You should also pay attention to the materials used in the finished products you buy. Because much of a product’s off-gassing occurs in the first few weeks, buying second-hand can limit — although not eliminate – the amount of chemicals brought into your home. Watch out for recently refinished products, though! Choose natural materials and finishes whenever possible, and look out for certifications like Green Guard, Green Seal, Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), and Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC).

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You can compare your home to your body when it comes to making it healthy. With your body, while eating healthy is important, we’ve all learned that what you put on your body is as important as what you put in it, and that no one thing alone makes you healthy. With your home, you also have to think about many things, but most of them relate to air quality and water quality. We hope that this list helped to narrow down the most important steps we believe that you should take in order to have a healthier home.

Our New Year’s Resolutions

Amanda DeMers — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:32:38 +0000

It’s that time of year again — the time when many of us gather friends and family to celebrate another year of struggles, survival, losses, and gains, things that have remained the same, and things that have changed. This time of year is also special because we can turn our thoughts forward and think about the ways we could make next year even better.

We at New Living (and our friends at The Green Painter) are looking forward to the opportunities of the coming year, and have made the following New Year’s Resolutions.

1. We will continue to connect discerning customers with the best, healthiest, and greenest home and building products on the market. As part of this, we will continue to hold all suppliers responsible for having a positive social and environmental impact, and keep an eye out for new companies and products that do the same. We will continue to believe that business can be better, and that we are all interdependent, as promised in the B Corporation “Declaration of Interdependence.”

2. We will work harder to share our mission with the world. Our raison d’être is to educate consumers about the health, environmental, and social aspects of home and building products, and to help grow the market for quality and holistically responsible products. We will also work with painters, builders, designers, realtors, manufacturers — and anyone else who shares our goals — to create good, green jobs through education and professional development.

3. We want to be a louder and better voice for changing the ways businesses operate. We are for incentivizing responsibility in all industries, and hope there will be a day when all businesses look at their triple bottom line — people, planet, profit.

4. We will take a step back and look at our own operations, and critically assess whether our businesses are run in a way that is good for the community, the economy, and the environment. We believe that small changes can make a big difference, and that this is the aspect of our lives that should “never stop improving.”

5. Finally, we will turn to the large and growing community that works to improve Houston’s health, environment, and community. We will reconnect with old friends and make new ones, collaborating to make next year Houston’s best year ever.

Happy New Year from your friends at New Living!

OMI’s Organicpedic Mattresses recommended in Oprah’s “O” Magazine

Amanda DeMers — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:40:14 +0000

In the November issue of “O” magazine, Organic Mattresses, Inc. CEO Walter Bader is quoted as saying, “”Mattresses are like cigarettes were in the 1930s; Completely unregulated, and everyone thinks they’re safe.” Author Laura Fraser wrote a wonderfully informative article about the toxicity of traditional and memory foam mattresses – and about the newer danger of mattress greenwashing! She explores several different options for mattress materials and brands, but Organicpedic was her pick as the most “virtuous.”

In honor of this great mention, OMI and New Living are teaming up to offer up to $500 in free bedding accessories when you purchase a King Size Organicpedic mattress set when you mention “Oprah.” Hurry! Offer ends November 27!

You can read the full article from “O” magazine here.

Image by Holly Lindem of “O” magazine.

TESTIMONIAL: The Toll Patrol Sleeps Organic

Amanda DeMers — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:59:57 +0000

Mother of 3, Amber Toll tells us about her experience switching to organic mattresses!

My triplets (2 boys, 1 girl) are closing in on 5 years old, and both of the boys have Autism. Most people do not realize that Autism is not just a neurological disorder, but it also affects multiple systems within the body, including the body’s ability to detox chemicals and metals. Once I found this out, I have made it my mission to rid my children’s environment of as many toxins as humanly possible thus lowering their body’s total toxic burden. It has been a process for sure, but I am a determined mother who wants to provide every opportunity for their little bodies to heal and grow.
We have been on this journey for just over 2 years now, and were ready for the next step in cleaning up their environment. I came across the New Living and Green Painter stores upon an internet search for toxin free paints and mattresses. I called and was lucky enough that Adam was willing to meet my husband and I on July 4th to discuss the products both stores had to offer.

Adam was very knowledgable, and extremely accomodating and sensitive to our needs. Going green doesn’t come without a higher price-tag, yet Adam did his best to work with our family to make our mission a reality. We are TRULY thankful to him for all of his efforts and are humbled by his sensitivity to our mission and circumstance!!! Thank you Adam, thank you New Living!

Since purchasing the mattresses, we have also decided to paint the kid’s rooms. We were extremely nervous to use paint from our local hardware stores due to the many allergies that our children have, but after doing our research, we were so happy that we trusted our instincts! We found that New Living’s NOVOC paint offered so many more greener options than what I had found in our previous research. After painting both rooms with NOVOC paint, we did not notice reactions from any of the children–so we were obviously thrilled!

Thank you!!
Regards–
The Toll Patrol
Amber, Dale, Cooper, Carson, and Camryn

20% Off Mattresses and Paint!

Amanda DeMers — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 02:17:20 +0000

Save big at New Living and The Green Painter October 27 – November 6 with the American Cancer Society’s Holiday Shopping Card!

This year, New Living is proudly participating in the American Cancer Society’s Holiday Shopping Card Program. Proceeds from the sale of this $70 shopping card go to the American Cancer Society which funds cancer treatment, research, and education in America and around the world. Those who buy this card can save big on their holiday shopping while contributing to this most important cause. New Living, the Green Painter, and many other local merchants will be giving a 20% discount to card holders on select items during the 10-day event. This is a great time to purchase one of New Living’s non-toxic, organic mattresses or some non-toxic paint from The Green Painter.

New Living and The Green Painter have chosen to support this cause not only because we support and admire the work of the American Cancer Society, but also because of our shared mission to increase public awareness of the links between environmental and public health. We hope that together, our support of this program can lead to a better, healthier future in Houston and beyond!

Details:

- Purchase the Holiday Shopping Card at New Living or any other participating merchant.

- The card-holder will receive 20% off of mattresses at New Living and paint at The Green Painter during the week of October 27 and November 6.

- Proceeds from the sale of the card will go to The American Cancer Society. New Living will keep none of the proceeds.

- For more information, please check out the program’s website.

Experience an Organic Mattress at The Modern B&B

Evan — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 20:34:57 +0000

New Living is excited to partner with our friends at The Modern B&B to offer you a night’s stay on an organic mattress in the Treehouse Room for only $100 (Normal price is $225).

You will get to experience firsthand the comfort and health benefits of a truly healthy bedroom, with a luxurious organic mattress from OMI and an air filter from Austin Air, right in the heart of Montrose.

If you decide to purchase a healthy, organic mattress from New Living, the night is 100 percent applicable
to your purchase. For more information, visit us at 6111 Kirby Dr or call us at 713.521.1921.

A Common Chemical Dangerous for Pregnant Women, A NEW Study Reveals

Adam Brackman — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:05:59 +0000

As the committee hearing and debate goes on this summer over the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010 even more information has come out about the links between the chemicals in our homes and the danger it poses to our health. This serves as an urgent reminder that consumers need the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010 to help protect them.

In mid-June, multiple national news outlets reported on a new study published by Environmental Health Perspectives that found further links connecting PBDEs – a common chemical used as a flame retardants in carpets, mattresses, couches, and electronics - to problems with the thyroid hormone in pregnant women. The study, which looked at 270 pregnant women, found that women with higher levels of PBDEs in their bodies had lower levels of the thyroid stimulating hormone in their bodies by anywhere from 10.9 to 18.7%. These levels meet the definition for sub-clinical hyperthyroidism – indicating an early stage of thyroid malfunction. When the thyroid malfunctions (know as clinical hyperthyroidism) pregnant woman can possibly have children with birth defects, suffer from in-uterine growth problems, experience miscarriages, or have stillbirths.

What’s most shocking about the study, researchers note, is that the levels of PBDEs that were tested in women and caused sub-clinical hyperthyroidism is fairly typical among American women. These are risk that most American woman – who are exposed to products like conventional mattresses, carpets, foam couches, and electronics – face. This is due in large part to antiquated flame retardant regulations, most companies refusal to use non-toxic alternatives in products that we use, and poor regulation of toxic chemicals by federal agencies. Matthew S. Tejada, the executive director of Air Alliance Houston*, believes that these types of discoveries about how our home environment effects our health aren’t going to end. He says “On the health perspective, the horror story is only going to get worse. The deeper we dig as more research is done, we are only going to find [out] more about the nasty impacts of what we buy.”

As more studies like this one are released and as we discover more about the dangerous chemicals in products we use everyday, it’s becoming increasingly clear that we need regulations to protect us as consumers so that we don’t have to live in fear. The Safe Chemicals Act can protect us and it’s something we need NOW. Tejada says “For decades we just let these chemicals go totally unregulated. The way food and medicine are regulated is [good], but the regulatory structure formed by the EPA is so weak that it’s effectively not regulated.” The Safe Chemicals Act is a strong start towards something that has enormous potential to help us as consumers find safe products for our family and ourselves, helping to ensure that we are protected from chemicals like PBDEs. Click here to send a letter to congress and find out more about what you can do to support the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010.

If you’re wondering what to do now though, the best way to protect yourself is by researching what’s in the products in your home and making smart decisions by choosing non-toxic alternatives that we are sure are safe for our homes and our families.

Find out more:

The Environmental Health Perspectives Study Profiled Here

LA Times – Household Chemicals Linked to Reduced Fertility

Slate Magazine – Why are flame retardants required in furniture anyway?

* Air Aliance Houston is a group that works on outdoor and indoor air quality in the Houston-Galveston region. To see their website click here.

Is your mattress toxic? (Hint: probably)

Adam Brackman — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:45:33 +0000

Celebrate freedom from toxic chemicals and petroleum in your bedroom.

Did you know the mattress industry is not required by law to disclose the chemicals that are in your mattress? Yet we spend almost a 1/3 or more of our lives on our mattresses and usually we are half naked. Human skin is absorbent so the toxins from flame retardants and formaldehyde in the adhesives are absorbed through your skin and inhaled into your lungs. Your mattress may be the cause of restless nights or health problems.

DECLARE YOURSELF free from the lack of transparency and demand to know what is in your mattress. If you’re ready to toss or better yet RECYCLE your old one, you can purchase a non-toxic mattress that is free from dangerous flame retardants and has third-party certifications such as Greenguard that verify their safety. Additionally, you can check the validity of manufacturer’s claims based on certifications for certain raw materials such as Certified Organic Cotton.

A few weeks ago, I was in a national chain store that sells products for people’s backs and I asked the sales staff exactly what was in the Tempur-pedic mattress because of my asthma. They told me it was “proprietary” but that I could be “assured it was safe”. How comforting and NO THANK YOU!

Your mattress can emit dangerous VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds) into the air in your bedroom and your home for weeks and even years after you purchase it. Some of the short term symptoms have been associated with some mattresses are: rashes, headaches, breathing difficulties and blurred vision. Other people have reported side effects such as fatigue, nausea, and difficulty concentrating.

In 2006, a study was performed on memory foam mattresses in which chemical emissions were collected over a 96-hour period. In total, memory foam mattresses emitted 61 VOC chemicals and traditional innerspring mattresses emitted 39 different chemicals. In addition to known chemicals such as formaldehyde and toluene, some of these chemicals are solvents. They are found in the adhesives used to bond together mattress layers and wood frames. A few that were identified are: styrene, isopropylbenzene, limonene, trimethylbenzene, nitrobenzene, ethylbenzene and dichlorobenzene. Many of these chemicals are listed as Class C carcinogens or are classified as harmful by the EPA, the California Health and Welfare Agency, and the International Agency of Research of Cancer (IARC). Yet, we take these mattresses to our bedrooms unaware that our health may be jeopardized because we have never been made aware of the potential risks.

I had a very nice innerspring mattress before I knew anything about the chemicals in mattresses and I used to wake up every morning with a little rattle in my chest and I never knew why. That rattle disappeared when I switched to an all natural latex mattress.

Over 70,000 chemicals are on the market today that have never been tested for safety and they are showing up in our bedrooms and our bodies. Fortunately, there is currently proposed legislation to require testing for safety before a chemical is released into the market. One way you can help is by supporting the Safe Chemicals Act of 2010 through the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families organization.

If you want to know more about mattresses, we invite you to attend our next workshop called, “What is a healthy mattress and how to shop for a mattress” this Saturday, July 10th at 9:30 am at New Living at 6111 Kirby Drive, RSVP to jennifer@newliving.net 713-521-1921.

Jennifer Touchet

Mattress and a Massage

admin — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:23:41 +0000

Join us after work to relax on a natural mattress and enjoy a mini-massage, its on us! Mattress space is limited, so please RSVP to events@newliving.net.

Gulf Coast Green – The green event of the year

admin — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:35:05 +0000

If there’s one event you should make an effort to get out and see this year, it’s Gulf Coast Green. The event showcases Green building practices and vendors in Houston and from the entire Gulf Coast. This will be our second year at the show and we plan for it to be even bigger and better than last year. This year, we will be sharing our booth with Green Bank, Waste Management’s Green Squad, and Naturalcare Cleaning Company. We will be showcasing many of our products including a new budget-friendly line of high quality no-voc paint and one of our lines of organic mattresses for you to test out. We will also have samples of our Icestone recycled glass countertops, and eco-flooring such as cork and bamboo. The event is at Reliant Park April 18th and 19th.

Gulf Coast Green 2009 SYMPOSIUM is the leading green building conference targeted to design and construction professionals within the Gulf Coast region, organized by the AIA Houston Committee on the Environment. This year’s symposium explores sustainable principles and practices at a community scale, including Keynote Speakers Alex Steffen, Steve Mouzon, and Doug Farr.

Following the GCG Symposium is the 2-day HOUSTON GREEN EXPO, free and open to the public on April 18 and 19 at Reliant Park. A collaboration of AIA Houston COTE and the City of Houston, it is the largest green product expo in the city, offering the latest in green companies and their products for living a green life. The Expo will also offer educational presentations targeted to homeowners and interactive programs for children and young adults. The Houston Green Expo is free and open to the public, and requires no advance registration.