Go Green Bedding

Social Media and Internet communication is common place in our society. We know that at Go Green Bedding, so depending on what site you prefer, we are probably there already. Here are some that we are on. If you have a site that you think we’d be great for, let me know.

Go Green Bedding is on Facebook and Twitter. (We are also on Bebo, Orkut, Linked In, and Home Design Network: look for JaimSioux). If you like what you read, please Digg our stories (also posted my JaimSioux). If you use Diigo, be sure and mark our page.

Here are the feeds from Facebook and Twitter.

Germs are everywhere; this is a given. I know I think about germs being on shopping carts and ATM buttons and door handles. Here are a few places that might not cross your mind. (These are ranked according to what is the most contaminated.)

• Movie theatre seats, which have more germs than public bathroom surfaces, made the list. If you are like me, that never crossed your mind. I remember an urban legend from my youth about theater seats, but never found any proof. But after seeing them on the list, it makes total sense.
• Gym equipment is somewhat obvious. Gyms have the signs that ask all patrons to wipe down the machines before and after use, but I have definately seen people just walk away from a machine after they are done. It is such a simple thing to do and it will cut down on the number of germs you are exposed to.
• Park benches are frequented by an assortment of people. The variety of sitters and the fact that they are outside makes they prime candidates for germs. If you carry wipes in your purse, wipe down the seat. Or you can use a Mini UV-C Wand to kill 99% of germs on the surface with a simple wave. Compact and convenient. (You can use the wand before a movie too.)
• Bank countertops have people leaning on them all day and talking away to the tellers. Do these get wiped down? I’d like to think that they are cleaned at the end of the day but I don’t know. There is no reason to lean on the counter. Use it to write what you need to and then let it be.
• The number 1 germiest things are the rails and armrests on public buses. This makes sense when you consider the number of people that frequent public transit systems daily. To avoid some of these germs: use you wand, find a seat and keep you hands to yourself.
• But don’t forget about your desk at work. The average desk has 400 times more germs than the average toilet seat! And a cold virus can survive for 72 hours on your computer keyboard, telephone, or the handle on the office microwave. I recommend using your wand daily and a sanitizer wipe or cleaner once a week.

It is simple to drastically reduce the number of germs you are exposed to. It is definately worth the minimal time to keep yourself and your family healthy.

Christy was established in 1850 when Henry Christy visited the Sultan Palace in Constantinople. He found a handmade, loop pile fabric which he took back to England for his brother Richard to analyze. His brother invented a machine to reproduce the terry material on a large scale. The first Christy towels were shown at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Queen Victoria liked the towels so much that she ordered more. Since that time, the Christy name has meant quality.

Christy only uses the finest natural fibers to create their gorgeous linens. Traditionally this has been cotton, but other natural fibers have been integrated since the beginning. Christy, since its inception, has been a leader in innovation and is proud to be the first UK manufacturer to use silk, micro modal, and blends of these in their products.

Christy towels are now available outside Europe. We are excited to be able to offer this exceptional line of bath linens to the United States. Go Green Bedding carries Christy towels, robes, and bath mats & rugs. Browse our site and select the products that will add class and quality to your home.

There are some many nursery rhymes out there. I remember several:

“Rock a bye, baby, in the tree top. When the wind blows, the cradle will rock. ”

And of course,

“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep. ”

One that is especially popular now-a-days”

“Good night, sleep tight, Don’t let the bedbugs bite,
Wake up bright in the morning light
To do what’s right with all your might.”

The scary thing is that this last one is legitimate! Bed bug numbers are on the rise. They are not just in developing countries or impovrished neighborhoods, they are everywhere it seems. You want to make sure and protect your little ones (and yourself) from these vicious creatures.

The most important thing is to know where the mattresses in your home are from. It is best to buy new mattresses. You will not have to worry about bed bugs with these. Somina products are the top of the line! They are all-natural memory foam, made from soy-bean oil. The foam breathes with your skin and does not get hot and sticky like petroleum based foams do.  Made from lyocell, kapok, and elastic, the cover is designed to compliment the foam. Lyocell and elastic are natural products so you do not have to worry about sleeping on synthetic fibers. Kapok is a naturally bitter fruit that, when used in material, repels spiders, mites, fungus and such!

But if you choose to buy a gently used mattress for budgetry reasons or otherwise, be sure you purchase a mattress encasement. Protect-A-Bed’s encasements are designed to keep anything and everything that is already in the mattress there. They have a Bug Lock secure seal on the zipper. Be sure that you get an encasement, not just a cover. You want the entire mattress enclosed.

Nursery rhymes are supposed to ease your child into sleep, not stir up fears in the parent’s mind. Put those fears to bed by taking the precautions listed above.

Allergies can be quite annoying. You feel fine; you just can’t breathe. Whether is is pollen or dander or mold, it’s out there causing havok on your health. There are several ways you can combat this.

Start with your home:You want (well need) to be able to breathe easy at home. This is your sanctuary afterall. You should use a Large UV-C Sanitizer Wand to make sure all of your surfaces are clean. Then, for the air, you have several options. There is the Pluggable Air Sanitizer, UV-C Air Sanitizer, Table Top Air Purifer, and the Complete Air Cleansing System. Depending on how severe your allergies are, you will have to decide which product would be best for you.

• The Pluggable Air Sanitizer and the UV-C Air Sanitizer harness the natural power of UV-C light rays to kill airborne mold spores and 99% of bacteria. It also fights odors from pets, mildew, etc. The pluggable is ideal for a small room, like a bathroom, while the other is good for larger areas.
• The Table Top Air Purifer also uses UV-C light rays to do the above. It also has a charcoal filter to remove odors and smoke, a HEPA filter to capture airborne allergens, a PCO filter to capture and dissolve mold and mildew, and an Ionizer that emits negative ions to freshen the air.
• The Complete Air Cleansing System does all of the above and also has a pre-filter for larger particles such as pet hair and lent.

You should also use a pillow protector and a mattress encasement. These will not only protect your investment in your pillow and mattress, it will also trap dust and allergens inside of these items. It also allows for easy cleaning of these items. Simple remove the covers and throw in the washer each time you wash your bed linens.

When you are at the office, you should use the same precautions: getting an air purifier and a sanitizer wand. The number of people you work with and the set up of your office will help you determine which of the air sanitizers above would be the most prudent at work. I would recommend a table top air purifier because it will get everything but the larger particles (and most people don’t have furry pets at work anyway). You can get a mini sanitizer wand so it will fit perfectly in your pen cup or top drawer.

In the car, you can keep your mini wand with you. This way you can sanitizer your steering wheel, door handles, etc. Especially if you have children, think about when you last cleaned those knobs. A sanitizer wand is the perfect daily tool that is quick and effective. If you are in a car pool (or you are soccer mom transporting lots of kids), you should invest in a personal air purifier. Other people’s germs will always be a risk to you, more so in close quarters. Simple wear it during the drive to ensure easy breathing.

If you are like me, you will resort to medication as a last resort. It makes sense with allergies because there are amazing products out there to keep you tip top without having to introduce foreign chemicals into your system. (I still use medication, I just reserve it for more severe times. I urge you to try the products above first. If will save you money over time as you find your health is stronger because the quality of air you breath is purer.

We are on the second wave of the H1N1 infections. According to a report from ABC and the CDC (Center for Disease Control) N1H1 Page shows the South being hit hardest. As a note the CDC also has a page that gives a situation update- it’s concise and easy to understand. The same precautionary efforts should be taken for this strand of influenza that you would take when dealing with all colds and the flu.

Wash your hands. This is the most important things. You touch so many surfaces everyday that are covered with germs. Then you use your hands to hold silverware and eat. One way to minimize the number of germs your hands come in contact with is by using a mini UV-C Sanitizer Wand. It is more convenient that disinfectant wipes and more effective. Keep it in your purse or pocket and your are golden. You simple wave it over any surface you will touch and it kills 99.9% of germs! (Science is pretty awesome.) Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth as much as possible. This is a major way germs get into your body.

Of course, cover your mouth then you cough and be aware of others around you. If they are sick, then the virus could be in the air. A smart step to take is to sanitize the air. You can buy a plug-in unit for $70. This will keep your healthier and keep your place fresher. For your college students, a Clean 2 Vacis probably more practical. Along with being a cordless handheld vacuum, the charging stand is also an air sanitizer.

The N1H1 Strand generally is more severe than the typical flu strand, but the same precautions should be taken for both. With little effort, you will be able to keep your family healthy throughout this flu season.

As parents – especially moms, your mind is finely tuned to see the dangers that are awaiting your family. This doesn’t shut off when your child goes away to college. You can see the excitement and anxiety in your child’s eyes are you unpack their dorm room and then you say your goodbyes. I am sure that you have covered the basics as far as their needs go: bedding, towels, detergent, dishes, etc. There are some hidden dangers that lurk in dormitories as well.

Here are some of the most common:

Meningitis: The CDC has recently added meningitis to the list of vaccines college freshman should get. Read more about it.

Mononucleosis and Influenza: I’m sure that the flu is already on your list, with all of the coverage of the swine flu and flu shots and health statements being handed out by most colleges this year. I remember from college, that mono – the kissing disease – made its round about once a year. Both of these things can be prevented easily. The washing of hands regularly and not sharing drinks are top on the list. Add to that disinfecting surfaces regularly, and you are good to go. One of the easiest ways to disinfect surfaces is with a UV-C Sanitizer Wand and the air with a Clean2 Vacuum (which serves double duty as a cordless vac.)

Bed bugs: One survey found that one quarter of examiners found bedbugs on college campuses. While there is not much you as an individual can do about it –as it should be handled by professionals. You should always wash your linens in hot water and use a mattress protector as precautions as the infestations occur for not apparent reason most times.

Mold and Athlete’s Food: Both of these thrive in moist conditions – so be sure to keep bath and kitchen areas dry and clean. For your feet – always wear flip flops in the shower and don’t run around the hallways barefoot (just leave a comfy pair of slippers with your freshman).

And as far as social hazards, these aren’t as easy to guard against. Your best defense is to be open with your student about the risks so they know. The top three social hazards are sleep deprivation, binge drinking, and STDs. So leave your child with a comfortable bed so that the hours they do get are quality and trust that you have raised your child well.

Sleep Number beds are one of the hottest rages right now. I hear good things, but like to snuggle so I don’t want the ridge in the center of the bed. But that is personal reference. Talking to a dear friend who loves hers, she has had problems finding high quality twin extra long fitted sheets. The solution to that is here!

Go Green Bedding sells adult quality sheets. The majority of twin-extra long sheets available are targeted to college students. I remember my college days and the frequency with which I washed my sheets. The point being, the sheets i had in college were for college. After graduating, I have replaced all of those with nice sheets that sooth me to sleep with their feel.

Athens linens and Perla linens are sold individually. This means you can purchase two twin extra long fitted sheets and one king sized flat sheet. You are not left with extra twin top sheets and a king fitted sheet that do not work with Sleep Number Bed. Unless you collect mismatch sheets, this is the perfect solution. You order the pieces you need and know that they are the quality you deserve.

Apollo’s 40th Anniversaryis this month. What a remarkable thing! Space travel doesn’t make headlines as it did in days past, but it is still just as exciting. The latest mission to space is underway and it makes me think about the products that are available because of the scientific advances of NASA, one in particular.

NASA needed a material that would cushion the astronauts from the unparalleled g-forces of launch and re-entry during space missions. In response the their request, a material was produced, that was called visco-elastic memory foam. There is no definition for the word visco, but the word is derived from viscous, which means gummy or pasty.  Elastic means being able to return to it’s original shape after being deformed. You all remember the picture of the hand impression on the foam. If the material was pushing up against your body, it would immediately spring back when your hand was removed. The other quality, of visco foam, is that it’s temperature reactive.  When it is heated, it becomes softer and when it is cooled, it becomes firmer. A body laying on the material will heat it, making it softer under that heated area.

This material made it transition to mattresses. It was revolutionary! A person is able to get the support they want with out worrying about the pressure created on the body by inner-spring mattresses.

The catch is it is made from petroleum and the odor is strong. It takes a few days at the least and a month or more at the most to get that smell out of your home. Also petroleum is a fossil fuel, which means there is a limited amount of it on the Earth.

Dr. Sass, inventor of the Somina Sleep System, did not like these two points and others. In response, he improved the design and modified it to be designed for sleep - not for rocketing through space. First he replaced the main ingrediant in the foam. Replacing petrol-oil with soybean oil solves two problems. Itf is a renewable source - meaning it is not harming to planet to make AND it does not have the odor!

Another improvement is the recovery time. With traditional visco-elastic memory foam products, the time it takes for the foam to bounce back is a while. With Somina products, you will not be left with a void when you roll over during the night. The original material is temperature reactive. So, in the winter it will take longer for the mattress to form to you and in the summer, it will provide less support. The improved Somina foam is not like that!

On this Apollo anniversary, take a minute to look up at the stars and thank the men and women who dedicate their lives to the mission. We all reep the benefits of the science behind it. Then order a Somina Contour Pillow and feel the difference design makes.

Bath Robes and shower shoes are two things that every college freshman will need. If your child has never used a robe then it will be a new realm. Before my freshman year in college, I do not own a robe. My mom, being the wise woman that she is, got me a robe anyway. And I have to say that it was definitely used daily - along with shower shoes. The dorm that I lived in had community showers. It is so much easier to use a robe to get to and from the shower instead of hauling a change of clothes both directions. A robe is also good for heading to the dining hall - be it for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Since you will be using your bathrobe everyday, you need to get one that will hold up to the job. Christy Waffle Robes are a good basic robe that works marvelously. It is 100% cotton and durable. Karen Luu Minke Robes are THE luxureous robe choice. Once you feel of the material used, you will never go back to a terry cloth robe. They are available in a wide range of colors and styles so it will be easy to find one that matches your personality. It is a robe that will take you through all of your college days and beyond. 

Shower shoes are easy - go to a box-store and get a pair of $5 flip flops. They work perfect for the job and then you can throw them out when the year is done. Bath robes and shower shoes: don’t leave home without them. And trust me, they will become your favorite outfit before long.