O.k., so you’ve read our recent article about the benefits of organic bedding, you’ve visited our new organic bedding shopping page and found something you love, it’s arrived in all its glory and you’re wondering… how should I wash my organic bedding so it doesn’ t loose its organic goodness?  At least, we hope you will ask that question.  Otherwise, you may just throw it in the wash with a chemical laundry detergent which contains one or all of the following nasty ingredients: phenols, optical brighteners, phosphates, EDTA, artificial frangrance, ammonia, sodium sulphate and a chemical foaming agent.  All of these substances can have undesirable effects on humans, the planet, or both, and none of them should be used to wash your beautifully pure, toxin-free organic bedding!  You may have noticed that the laundry detergent aisle is quickly filling with products claiming to be “green” or “natural”, but how do you know if it really true and how do you know if they really work without trying all of them!  Well, I recently came across two reviews of natural and eco-friendly laundry soap that I thought were  helpful and wanted to share with all of you:

http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2010/11/natural-and-eco-friendly-laundry-soap-reviews-5-moms-test-and-compare.html

http://www.grist.org/article/its-a-wash

I hope you find them useful! Happy laundering!

With 10% off and Free Shipping, we've made it easier than ever to bring new life to your table this Spring with the colorful recycled dinnerware from Fire & Light. Fire & Light recycled glass dinnerware is sturdy enough for everyday use, but the way light plays off the surface of the glass makes it easy to dress up for special occasions. Our customers love the character and weight of the glass. Available in 9 stunning colors, I personally found it too hard to choose just one and instead opted for an eclectic mix and match look for our table at home. I also love that its hand poured by a group of people in California who enjoy making it as much as you will enjoy having it!

If you're anything like me, you love the idea of "spring cleaning," but don't exactly enjoy the actual task.  I can't say that all-natural cleaning products have completely changed my perspective on this spring tradition, but I can say that cleaning with all-natural and organic cleaning products gives me a sense of enjoyment that I hadn't previously experienced. Before I was turned onto the idea of all-natural cleaning products, I used to select my house cleaners based on 2 factors: (1) does it work? and (2) do I like the smell?  I paid little or no attention to what chemicals and synthetic scents went into the products I selected.  It turns out that while the products I used did remove dirt, they also added nasty toxins to my home environment - not exactly a great trade-off.  So I began to do a little research and what I discovered is that there are some important things that a savvy green spring cleaner should look for in selecting all-natural cleaning products.  All-natural cleaners should be biodegradable, phosphate free, chlorine free, bleach free, scented with essential oils or natural plants, and clearly state on the label that they are non-toxic. I also discovered that there are some simple ways to make your own all-natural cleaning products.  Most importantly, I came to understand that there are lots of all-natural cleaning products that still met my two requirements of being effective and pleasing to the nose.  For home cleaning products, my favorites are from Simply be Well – and I love their home cleaning kit that comes in an organic cotton tote bag.  For super-easy, all-natural recipes for making your own green cleaning products, The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier is a must have.  Happy Cleaning!

We've published a great new article on the benefits of Choosing Organic Bedding.  We've outlined several compelling reasons that you should make organic bedding, whether it be organic sheets, organic duvets, organic quilts, or organic blankets, or all of the above to the beds in your home.  As you'll see there are several reasons that choosing products made with organic cotton, such as organic bedding, offers tremendous benefits to the environment, your health, and the health of others.  We hope you'll read the article and browse our selection of Organic Bedding

Organic + adorable = our new Spring 2011 organic baby clothes and organic kids clothes.  From the new and oh-so snuggly soft organic baby bodysuits from Frugi to the dapper organic collared shirt from Kate Quinn Organics, you're sure to find something for boys of all ages.  And for the girls, we have new organic tank top bodysuits with scrumptious ruffles and organic dresses they can twirl in all Spring and Summer.  Check out all of our new Spring/Summer styles and watch your kids bloom organically this Spring!

Eden Home is excited about our new line-up of organic bedding for Spring 2011.  This week I'll be blogging about a couple of my favorite new organic duvet covers and organic sheet sets.  But first, I wanted to let you know that we've made shopping for organic bedding easier than ever before with our new Organic Bedding shopping page.  From this page you can view our entire selection of organic duvet covers, organic sheets, organic blankets and organic bedding basics.  You can also shop by size, color, brand or even thread count! There's no better way to start the spring season then with refreshingly new organic bedding. Check it out for yourselves and let us know what you think - we love customer feedback!

Coyuchi, the gold standard of organic bedding, has just added a full-range of organic spa robes.  These robes make perfect organic gifts for men or women!  Ranging from lightweight to cozy chunky waffle weave, there is sure to be an organic robe to suit anyone on your list... or even better, one for you!

Organic Khadi Robe - a soft, textural organic cotton fabric creates a silky, lightweight organic robe that's perfect after a bath or on warm mornings.

Organic Linen and Organic Terry Robe - To make this luxurious robe, Coyuchi lined soft, weighty linen with organic cotton terry in a velvety mini loop to create this simple but sublimely comfortable wrap.

Organic Cotton Jersey Robe for Men - Coyuchi made this robe from the same organic cotton knit as their much-loved jersey sheets. Styled with two patch pockets and a simple, kimono collar, it’s T-shirt soft and comfortable year-round.

Organic Terry Velour Robe - Start and end each day wrapped in thick, plush organic cotton. This Coyuchi organic robe is styled for men or women, with a shawl collar, self-belt, dropped shoulders and two pockets.

Organic Waffle Spa Robe - The classic spa robe, reinvented in organic as only Coyuchi can. Made from 100% certified organic cotton, it has an extra-chunky waffle weave that makes it especially cozy.

Where Organic Style Comes Naturally,

Rachael

Our Green Toys were so popular last Christmas that we decided to add two more, top sellers from their list of organic toys as follows:

1) Recycled BPA Free Plastic Toy Fire Truck - Made from recycled milk cartons, this fire truck is the safest and greenest emergency vehicle around! The Green Toys Fire Truck BPA Free Toy has no metal axles, so it's safe for the earth and the little fireman. Sturdy roof ladder pivots vertically and rotates 360 degrees. Two removable side ladders. No BPA, PVC, or phthalates. Packaged using only recycled and recyclable materials.

2) Recycled BPA Free Plastic Toy Dump Truck - This super cute, rough and tough green toy is made from recycled milk containers. The Green Toys BPA Free Toy Dump Truck is ready to haul a big load while helping to save the planet. There are absolutely no BPA, PVC, or phthalate chemicals near this toy. Packaged using only recycled and recyclable materials.

Best part - these super green toys are all under $20.

Watch for more what's new in organic products from Eden Home.

~ carmen

OK - so I figured since I provided my husband with a christmas wish list the least I could do was jot down an organic gift wish list for my daughters as well. Siri is 5 and Sienna is 3 and they are both girly girls yet tom-boyish too so without further ado, here is my wish list for them too:

1) Fruit & Veggies Please - This toy is on my wish list for Sienna who loves to play house. The 100% organic wood toy fruit and veggies set is super fun and totally safe to chew on (yes, my Sienna still puts things in her mouth UGH!!) OK, this one is actually for me :-)

2) Organic Cotton Jump Rope - This organic toy jump rope is for my Siri who is just beginning to be interested in jumping rope after she saw her bigger cousins doing it this summer. The rope is made of organic cotton and the handles are made from recycled milk cartons. Awesome gift - great for the stocking!!

3) Wood Toy Kitchen - As mentioned, my little Sienna loves to play house and REALLY WANTS a toy kitchen so not only will this wooden toy kitchen be safer made of organic wood and painted naturally, it will also LOOK GOOD in our house which will make Daddy happy too!

4) Big Band Wooden Toys Music Set - Sienna is the musical one and loves to make noise so I figured this great gift set would set her up nicely. Includes the the wooden to drum, the wooden toy xylophone and the wooden toy percussion set. Not sure Daddy will be happy about this noisy one though?!

5) Clean Air Kate Organic Doll - Siri LOVES dolls and Siri LOVES pink so what better way to send an eco-friendly message to her for Christmas with the Clean Air Kate organic doll. Just love these Global Green Pals!

6) Clementine Art Natural Paint - Siri is the artist and can often be found drawing, coloring and painting so I figure the natural paint from Clementine Art would be the perfect gift for her. Natural crayons, markers, glue and play dough is also available from Clementine and makes a great deluxe organic gift for the artistic kids around.

Well, my girls insisted we get the Christmas decorations out this evening and so I'd better get back to dusting off the cob webs and putting them up.

Here's to organic living and giving - 'er getting organic gifts this year!

~ carmen

My husband asked me to give him my gift wish list so he knew what to get me for Christmas and I said sure. It won't take me but a minute to write up and share with you all how I want to be pampered organically this year...

1) Organic Duvet Cover - OK honey, this one is actually for you too! This gorgeous grey and mustard yellow combination organic cotton duvet cover from Coyuchi would match our master bedroom curtains and paint color perfectly (you wouldn't have to do any more painting).

2) Organic Blanket - The coordinating honeycomb blanket in mustard yellow would complete the look of our new organic bedding - so natural and fresh for our special room!

3) Soy Candle - Scent LOVE for a 100% natural light with no yucky paraffin wax chemical residue.

4) Organic Bath Robe - I just love the Nandina organic women's robe because it is amazingly soft and super thick.

5) Tsi La Natural Perfume - Love this perfume made from entirely natural ingredients. No allergies required!

Jealous yet? If I get half the items on my list I'll be naturally ecstatic! What will make you feel organically pampered this year?

Here's to organic living and being pampered!

~ carmen