The  Search for the Best Mattress  Bed

For many months, I searched for the Perfect Best Mattress Bed. It took a really long time.

I do have a confession: I have this huge personality defect that severely limits my buying efficiency: Every time I shop, I tend to look for the best of whatever kind I am buying but at the same time, I want it to be not significantly expensive. 

Some people may judge it as  value shopping. Some may claim it is an exercise in futility. Some say it is the best and the only way to shop.

It must be the genes. It could be that I am a natural byproduct of my cultural group ( naturally thrifty shoppers) . It could even be the training/osmosis from my uber reasonable and efficient parents.

So, I start with my search for the Best Mattress bed:

Easy , you might think.

Type best mattress beds on Google and tada, quick as a flash…. 144,000,000 results!

Type best mattress beds 2019 on Google  and tada…. 3,900,000,000 results!

The search is really not as simple as that. I have a million choices and I have to choose

But you see…. I am picky, so I read and re-read at least ten more times a thousand reviews before I settle on some possible candidates.

Do I pick memory foam?

Do I pick mattress in a box?

Do I really want to buy online?

But you see… I am sensitive to chemical smells, to fabrics, to so many things. So I have to reconsider.

Do I pick latex?

Do I pick wool?

Do I pick kapok?

So, I  decide I have to pick the most natural, non-toxic kind- the most non irritating beds on Planet Earth. So I search Non-toxic Beds, and again I come up with hundreds of choices.

But you see…. I do not like spending money foolishly.

I do not like getting stuck with items I hate.

So, from all my choices, I have to pin the best mattress beds that give the most value for my money.

I read and read and read  … until well… I finally settle on some:

A…….

B……

C……

Finally, I actively choose the best mattress bed: 

EZ Latex Bed.

This bed mattress is made of hypoallergenic latex that does not produce harmful VOCs.

The return policy is reasonable.

The price is right.

The bed serves its ultimate purpose: It is great for sleeping.

The bed is delivered. I enter the room. My nose does not twitch.

I am happy.

In our search for an excellent nontoxic wood platform bed, first, we need to learn about the raw materials used to build bed furniture. These materials include:

            1. Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) 

According to Wikipedia, “Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibres combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. MDF is generally denser than plywood. “

Simply put, it’s compacted wood dust.

It is relatively less expensive than other materials and it is very smooth so it is easier to paint and apply veneer.

However, MDF has VOCs.

              2.  Plywood

Plywood, on the other hand, is a” material manufactured from thin layers or “plies” of wood veneer that are glued together with adjacent layers having their wood grain rotated up to 90 degrees to one another. “(Wikipedia)

Plywood is a strong and durable material that is also not too expensive.

However, the adhesives used in plywood have become a point of concern. Both urea formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde are carcinogenic in very high concentrations.

Plywood has VOCs.

             3. Particleboard

Particleboard, “a low-density fibreboard (LDF), and chipboard – is an engineered wood product manufactured from wood chips, sawmill shavings, or even sawdust, and a synthetic resin or other suitable binders, which is pressed and extruded.” Wikipedia

Another compacted wood dust product ( less dense than MDF).

It is inexpensive and readily available.

Particleboard had VOCs.

           4. Real Wood – Hardwoods or Softwoods

Wood is a “porous and fibrous structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers that are strong in tension and embedded in a matrix of lignin that resists compression.” (Wikipedia)

Wood furniture may or may not have VOCs.

MDF, Plywood, and Particleboard all require glues or adhesives, resins and preservatives (such as formaldehyde) to give them just enough rigidity to be used as furniture. These products also must be finished with veneers, laminates and furniture coatings which leads to high levels of VOCs.

Real wood, on the other hand, can stand on its own and be finished with zero toxic finishes.

So why do we need to get a non-toxic Bed frame?

Every night, when we lay in our beds, we inhale all the toxins near us- including our bed frame. These toxins affect our health and can have short and long terms effects on our general well being. Needless to say, we strive to get only safe materials close to our bodies.

Today, we have a few available options when purchasing our bed frames:

1. Nomad Furniture – Has Unfinished Bed Furniture or with zero VOC Linseed oil or clear coat.
2. Savvy Rest – Has Unfinished Bed Furniture, zero VOC Linseed oil clear coat, or zero VOC stain.
3. Bedworks of Maine –Has Unfinished Bed Furniture or water-based low VOC clear coat (extra charge). Standard stains, paints and clear coats are not low VOC products but offer higher protection for the wood.
4. Pacific Rim – Has Unfinished Furniture or with Tung oil, Linseed oil and oil-based polyurethane mixture. (The Tung and Linseed oil are zero VOC, while the polyurethane is not a low VOC product. The polyurethane gives added protection to the wood.)
5. Vermont Woods – Has aesthetically beautiful, zero VOC bed furniture. The wait time is incredibly long ( 16 weeks as of this writing). But it can be worth it.
6. Stem has a 100-day trial and is on the expensive side ($2400)
7. The Futon Shop has reasonably priced bed furniture
8. Avocado –   has reclaimed wood that is zero VOC
9. Urban Woods –has unfinished or unfinished furniture. low VOC
10. Dapwood   – “handcrafts their eco-friendly furniture only from solid, premium Midwestern and Appalachian hardwoods that are sustainably managed and in plentiful supply.” It is wood furniture done the old way with no toxicity its prime consideration.

In conclusion, we find that the best platform beds are made by Vermont Wood, Dapwood and Savvy Rest.

In our search for an excellent nontoxic wood platform bed, first, we need to learn about the raw materials used to build bed furniture. These materials include:

            1. Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) 

According to Wikipedia, “Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibres combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. MDF is generally denser than plywood. “

Simply put, it’s compacted wood dust.

It is relatively less expensive than other materials and it is very smooth so it is easier to paint and apply veneer.

However, MDF has VOCs.

              2.  Plywood

Plywood, on the other hand, is a” material manufactured from thin layers or “plies” of wood veneer that are glued together with adjacent layers having their wood grain rotated up to 90 degrees to one another. “(Wikipedia)

Plywood is a strong and durable material that is also not too expensive.

However, the adhesives used in plywood have become a point of concern. Both urea formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde are carcinogenic in very high concentrations.

Plywood has VOCs.

             3. Particleboard

Particleboard, “a low-density fibreboard (LDF), and chipboard – is an engineered wood product manufactured from wood chips, sawmill shavings, or even sawdust, and a synthetic resin or other suitable binders, which is pressed and extruded.” Wikipedia

Another compacted wood dust product ( less dense than MDF).

It is inexpensive and readily available.

Particleboard had VOCs.

           4. Real Wood – Hardwoods or Softwoods

Wood is a “porous and fibrous structural tissue found in the stems and roots of trees. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers that are strong in tension and embedded in a matrix of lignin that resists compression.” (Wikipedia)

Wood furniture may or may not have VOCs.

MDF, Plywood, and Particleboard all require glues or adhesives, resins and preservatives (such as formaldehyde) to give them just enough rigidity to be used as furniture. These products also must be finished with veneers, laminates and furniture coatings which leads to high levels of VOCs.

Real wood, on the other hand, can stand on its own and be finished with zero toxic finishes.

So why do we need to get a non-toxic Bed frame?

Every night, when we lay in our beds, we inhale all the toxins near us- including our bed frame. These toxins affect our health and can have short and long terms effects on our general well being. Needless to say, we strive to get only safe materials close to our bodies.

Today, we have a few available options when purchasing our bed frames:

1. Nomad Furniture – Has Unfinished Bed Furniture or with zero VOC Linseed oil or clear coat.
2. Savvy Rest – Has Unfinished Bed Furniture, zero VOC Linseed oil clear coat, or zero VOC stain.
3. Bedworks of Maine –Has Unfinished Bed Furniture or water-based low VOC clear coat (extra charge). Standard stains, paints and clear coats are not low VOC products but offer higher protection for the wood.
4. Pacific Rim – Has Unfinished Furniture or with Tung oil, Linseed oil and oil-based polyurethane mixture. (The Tung and Linseed oil are zero VOC, while the polyurethane is not a low VOC product. The polyurethane gives added protection to the wood.)
5. Vermont Woods – Has aesthetically beautiful, zero VOC bed furniture. The wait time is incredibly long ( 16 weeks as of this writing). But it can be worth it.
6. Stem has a 100-day trial and is on the expensive side ($2400)
7. The Futon Shop has reasonably priced bed furniture
8. Avocado –   has reclaimed wood that is zero VOC
9. Urban Woods –has unfinished or unfinished furniture. low VOC
10. Dapwood   – “handcrafts their eco-friendly furniture only from solid, premium Midwestern and Appalachian hardwoods that are sustainably managed and in plentiful supply.” It is wood furniture done the old way with no toxicity its prime consideration.

In conclusion, we find that the best platform beds are made by Vermont Wood, Dapwood and Savvy Rest.

These are easy and doable steps if you wish to gradually transition to a more healthful natural life.

1. Eat Organic Pasture Raised Eggs

Organic Eggs are one of the best foods on the planet. They are a good source of protein and can be made and cooked in many ways- scrambled eggs, frittata, poached, sunny side up or as one of the main ingredients in cakes. One egg gives you 6 grams of protein for 70 calories.

Organic Eggs are also relatively, inexpensive. Regular eggs cost around . .25 cents each while Organic Eggs cost .58 cents. If you eat three organic eggs a week, that is less than 2 dollars/a week!

When purchasing, it is best to get pasture raised organic eggs. The hens are not raised in cramped quarters and are treated better than regular hens. Remember: Organic eggs are produced by Happy Hens.

Why eat organic eggs? There are no antibiotics, GMO feeds and nasty chemicals that go with your beautiful eggs when you eat them. No chemicals and additives mean a healthier you. They also happen to taste much better.

2.  Clean the Bathtub with Baking Soda

Scrubbing Bubbles or Clorox Bleach might make your tub super squeaky clean but are you really happy every time you do bathroom duty?

Are your nose and lungs less important?

If you are ready to give yourself a breather, switch to baking soda and water.

Mix a bit of baking soda ( average cost: 1 dollar a box ) with a little water in a small bowl and use a sponge to get the grime off your bathtub. You will be surprised initially how clean your tub transforms after this non-toxic cleanup.

3. Drink Organic Pasture Raised Milk

Organic Pasture Raised Milk cost 5.99. Regular Milk costs 3.99. There is a 2 dollar difference but it is a difference that’s so worth it.

Organic Milk is Tasty and is without GMO and antibiotics and growth hormones.

Remember: Organic Milk is Produced by Happy Cows.

4. Use cotton fabric towels for cleaning kitchen.

Stock up on these fabric towels near the sink so if there are spills, reach for the cloth, not the paper towel. Don’t ditch the regular kitchen paper roll yet if you are not ready. Keep it on standby and slowly, you will realize that you are reaching for it less and less, every day.

5. Get that Cell Phone out of your Bedroom

The bedroom is made for two things and two things only – for sleep and something… fun.

Cell phones emit powerful EMFs that harm the body. Give your body and your brain a rest- a complete rest.

Incidentally, an old fashion timer works better to wake you up.

6. Ditch the Plastic Bottle and get a Stainless Steel Bottle

You do not want to the Earth’s problem. Purchase Stainless steel and be a part of the Solution

When you drink water from a plastic bottle, chemicals might have leached into that water.

7. Ditch your Non-Stick Pans and Purchase a Cast Iron Pan

If birds die from the toxins emitted by non-stick pans when cooking at a high temperature, guess what is doing to your body while you cook?

Cast iron pans or Stainless steel pans are better if you want fewer chemicals in your food.

Kitchen Renovation

In 2017, my husband and I decided to renovate our kitchen. It was a big decision and we took time to deliberate on it because we knew it would entail a HUGE EXPENSE. I was able to convince him only when I argued that renovating our kitchen would increase the value of our apartment by SO MUCH MORE. The future promise of a GOOD RETURN OF INVESTMENT was definitely attractive to my fiscally- aware husband.

We learned that the former owner of our New York apartment had a kitchen renovation about 30 years ago. The kitchen was actually still serviceable – we can still cook our meals and wash our dishes comfortably. There was enough storage for our pots and pans and what not. There was even a place for Extra dishes. And it really was a good kitchen.

We could have gone more years without doing anything had the Vynil floors not starting crumbling and the Plastic Laminate Countertops started flaking. And the dryer dying. The kitchen also started looking old, dumpy and grungy.

We searched for a contractor who would do the work. Once that incredible mission was accomplished ( That part took A very a long time), we were ready to search for the materials for the renovation.

Years before, I started becoming more chemically sensitive. I can smell some things others don’t. And I would get nauseous and have headaches. My husband would put on cologne and I would snap at him because it irritated me so. I would use regular laundry detergent and I could smell it from the other side of the washing room and it would hurt my nose. I would wear something and I would feel very itchy and have hives.

We purchased closets from Ikea for the second bedroom and it took some six months before I could enter that room without getting nauseous. My husband probably thought it was acting too weirdly. To this day, I am grateful he just humored me then and not left me. He says I have many superpowers – super smell, super taste, (super bitchy?) among other things. )

So, for the kitchen renovation, I decided that I will be uber mindful of the materials I would purchase.

I will choose and purchase only REAL WOOD for the cabinets and REAL STONE for countertops and backsplash and other natural materials for my kitchen.

The first item on my list: Kitchen cabinets

During my search, I did not find many kitchen cabinet vendors who did low or zero VOC construction with real wood that was affordable. They had particle board in some areas of the cabinetry, especially with the front panel. They said with humidity changes in a home, it is not possible to build cabinets with 100% real wood. bs.

My contractor sent me vendors and kitchen sellers but I was not happy with any of them. He was getting increasingly unhappy with me because he could not start his renovation until I have picked my vendor and materials. I think the problem lies with my decision and taste: I had a high-end taste. I had a lower budget. And I like natural.

After much time doing research, I found Green Building Supply from Ohio. Officially, they were a retailer/dealer of green construction materials like paint, flooring, cleaning materials- like what any regular hardware would carry. Oddly, they also sell kitchen cabinets. They were also a dealer of Crystal cabinets, a maker of green, chemical-free natural wood cabinets. BINGO!!!

Bonus: Green Builders also had an architect/ designer who was going to help design my cabinets. Finally – there is some movement in my renovation journey.

In the end, I was very happy with my choice. It took a long time to get the goods to my house- extending the renovation time but it was worth the wait. There was no chemical smell. And the cherry wood was Gorgeous.