thank you, debra..that was very helpful.

well, i looked at lyocell, but it is VERY pricey! :o i'm trying to find an alternative that would be cost effective for my pre-teen boys' needs.

you had mentioned polyester being bad...would that include textiles/clothing/blankets made with a polyester, as well? or were you more specifically referring to 'polyester filled' items?

because even popular 'fleece' blankets jackets etc..would those also be problematic?

thank you very much.

Pillows have been the bane of our life in this family. We've tried everything from barley husk filled, synthetic, foam, down, feather and water filled pillows. Some materials were better than others for out-gassing, but when you take into consideration their washability and if they also absorbed chemicals from the store that sold them, we've experienced a lot of frustration. We ended up sleeping on old blankets folded up into pillow cases which wasn't comfortable, though safe.

Then we tried IKEA. We bought their cheapest synthetic bed pillows so that if they arrived unsafe, we didn't feel too terrible about passing them along. One wash and they were a go. None of us have had a lick of reaction. Plus, they wash without losing their shape and dry within a reasonable time. For the low price of $9.99, I now have the best pillow I've ever slept on.

I purchase 100% cotton blankets from our Ross outlet here, very affordable but thin, I buy plenty and layer them as needed. But then I live in Hawaii, however the cold here is a very damp one that feels colder to me than the dry cold in Montana.
Sadie

Thank you for such an informative response to the Down vs Down Alternative question. My daughter was at Bed, Bath and Beyond in Los Angeles and needed my help and I found your response.

I would like to add that when people use products, especially SYNTHETIC ingredients, as your responses mentioned, there are hazards if the products are NOT natural. Petrolatum is in Vaseline, in lip balm and a variety of products. There are toxic chemicals in our shampoo, lipstick, mascara, shaving cream, deodorant, BABY lotion/shampoo. We expose ourselves to an average of 174 chemicals EVERY DAY.

The FDA does NOT regulate the Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrance industry. You mentioned PLASTICS. How many people put plastics bags into a microwave for CONVENIENCE? The cost for natural or organic may be higher, but we are paying a high price with our health. Parabens are found in breast milk and tumors. Phthalates, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, LEAD, Mercury, FORMALDEHYDE are permitted by the FDA.

Thank you for helping people GO GREEN. I found an informative website to check products and ingredients cosmeticsdatabase.com or just Google SKIN DEEP

I spoke to a nurse at SYLVESTER CANCER RESEARCH HOSPITAL in Miami who said," CANCER WILL NEVER BE CURED, it is more PROFITABLE for us to be sick" There is no money in PREVENTION!"

When people talk about COST for a product, it may be enticing to pay a low price, but down the road they will end up paying a bigger price.

PLEASE continue to help people with your knowledge.

I have accumulated a lot of research since my neighbor died of cancer, so PLEASE contact me...I would be honored to contribute.

THANK YOU!!

Hi Debra,
Love your website! What do you think of actual down filled comforters, rather than down-alternative?

Why are your boys trashing their comforters? Honestly, my boy is 13 now and really not very considerate with furnishings (same goes for my 10 year old daughter), but I would never allow them to do that nor would they get the idea of doing it. Consider buying the best quality you can afford so they are not easily able to do that and talk them! This is ridiculous that they destroy something like a comforter in 3 - 6 months.

I have found brand new blankets and comforters on Ebay that are half the price of what you would pay at the store. You do have to be a little patient sometimes. But this is how I switched to cotton bedding.

In regards to good materials for Pillows, I have had unbelievable results with natural Latex pillows. At first they felt much different than your typical synthetic or down, but man they are comfortable! They will last much longer than other alternatives as well. While they are more pricey than their counterparts, think about how long they will last compared to other types that get so worn down that they don't have any fluffiness left. Latex isn't like that: i've used it now for months and the fluffiness is just the same as it was when I first bought it.

Erik