Improve Your Health & the Environment with Organic Cotton Bedding

Cotton provides half the world's fiber needs, and it is the most heavily sprayed crop on Earth. Conventional cotton farming uses a quarter of the world's pesticides! It takes nearly a pound of chemicals to produce a pair of jeans from conventional cotton. The US Department of Agriculture reports that 55 million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on US cotton in 2003. The US Environmental Protection Agency considers seven different pesticides used on cotton to be likely, probable, or known carcinogens. According to the World Health Organization, of the 20,000+ people who die each year from pesticide poisoning, many are cotton farmers.

Conventional cotton farming not only poisons people, but it also poisons the land with chemicals that eventually end up in our food, water, and bodies. Organic cotton, on the other hand, is grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, chemical fertilizers, or any other synthetic chemicals. In fact, to be certified organic, the soil in which the crop is grown must be free of chemicals for three years prior to planting. Organic cotton farmers nurture the soil and use natural methods of pest and weed control - and they don't have to worry about being exposed to toxic chemicals while in the field. Organic agriculture promotes and enhances biodiversity, soil fertility, and ecological harmony.

When you buy organic cotton products, you don't have to worry about exposing yourself to toxic chemicals. As a contaminated plant grows, pesticide residues build up in the cotton, and they can pass directly through your skin if you sleep on contaminated cotton bedding. Pesticide exposure can cause headaches, fatigue, nausea, and more serious effects like cancer and neurological disorders. Hot sleepers should be especially concerned about sleeping on contaminated cotton because moisture makes it easier for the chemicals to cross the skin barrier. Organic cotton bedding is safe and soft on the skin, it absorbs moisture extremely well, and it will never expose you to dangerous chemicals.

When compared to polyester bedding, organic cotton bedding is softer and cooler. Also, many people are sensitive to polyester. Polyester is made from petrochemicals which can sometimes off-gas into the air and cause reactions among sensitive individuals. Polyester lasts longer than organic cotton, and it's less expensive, but if you are chemically sensitive to polyester, then the higher cost of organic cotton bedding is well worth it.

Most dust mite bedding is made from polyester because of its durability. However, Allergy Armor™ Organic, exclusive to achooallergy.com, is made from the only fabric in the US that's certified 100% organic, non-treated, non-dyed, and clinically-proven to be an effective dust mite barrier.

If you are allergic to dust mites and also sensitive to chemicals, you should place Allergy Armor™ Organic covers on your pillows and mattress. Since you spend a third of your life in bed, you should make sure that it's not making you sick! These specially woven and pressed zippered covers will block dust mites and other allergens from your bed and your breathing zone.