Organic twin bedding sets? Is it necessary?

[bluedaisy]

Hi everyone,

I have a 2 yr old dd - we had an organic crib bedding set for her which she is still using now in her toddler bed.  The main reason I went with organic was because I didn't want any of the flame retardant chemicals.

We'll be moving her into a twin bed next month and I'm looking for a bedding set.  Do companies put flame retardant chemicals on twin bedding sets for kids also?  Are there other important reasons that would justify spending more for organic?

Seeing as how DD spends about half her life in bed right now :) I don't want her to be exposed to toxic chemicals as she sleeps.

Also, we live and work at a university - housing is part of my salary.  We are going to be moved into a newly renovated apartment next month with a new mattress for DD - are there any covers I can buy for a twin bed to minimize the toxins she will be exposed to during off gassing?

Thanks!!

[SleeplessMommy]

There is no chemical difference between organic and inorganic cotton .... organic is slightly better for the environment, but if you are on a budget get the regular cotton.

[diana_of_the_dunes]

Personally, I'd be more worried about how/if the fabric had been bleached or dyed. Your DD will breathe much more of the chemicals used during processing tan those applied while growing. To my knowledge, organic cotton can be dyed using conventional means and still labelled organic. I would look for unbleached, naturally dyed fabric.

As far as the mattress goes... I remember a company that sells mattress wraps for all sizes of bed. I just can't remember the name of he company. Maybe another poster can help out with that.

[1love4ever]

Non-organic cotton is treated with a TON of pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers while it is growing.  Cotton farming is actually the largest contributer to pesticide contamination in the environment there is.  So it is way better for the environment.

Those chemicals stay on the cotton and your child is exposed to them.

There is also chlorine bleach to worry about, which most non-organic cotton is treated with.  You also have to worry about sheets that say "wrinkle resistant", "stain resistant", "pre-shrunk", or any other claim like that.  This means that the sheets have been treated with a chemical that makes it that way, usually a combination including formaldehyde.  And of course there is the flame retardants that you mentioned, which are likely also on non-organic sheets.

I would say search the web for the cheapest deals such as Amazon on organic sheets and blankets.  You can also make your own.

As far as a matress goes, I would spend the extra money and just buy an organic mattress, and either sell or put the other in storage.  Matresses are SO toxic.  They are almost certainly treated with flame retardants, and they are pure petroleum based fabrics and such.

Here is a link about fabrics http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-living/articles/91967.aspx 

[talia rose]

I definitely agree that the most important thing is getting an organic mattress. You can't wash chemicals out of a mattress, and the exposure is great. Sheets, however, you can wash with a cup and a half of vinegar to help remove some of the chemicals. And yes, there are chemicals added even after the pesticides ect used while growing the cotton. Lots of them. If I could afford the organic sheets, I would do them, but if not I think the exposure is minimal compared to the actual mattress.