Hybrid mattresses are composed of base coils with a comfort layers of natural latex. We have hybrid mattresses from Naturepedic, Harvest Green, IAdjust and Ergovea.
Natural latex mattresses are made from sap from rubber trees and manufactured into mattress cores.
All three types of natural mattresses can be made with firmnesses and into any standard size. Some of our manufacturers can make custom size mattresses.
When purchasing a natural mattress the most important factor to keep in mind is comfort. All of our mattresses are designed to give customers many years of restful sleep.
]]>If we’re spending that much time in bed, atop our mattresses, whether for actual sleep or merely for leisure, we’re still in close contact with something that might not be as good for our health as we assume.
Traditional mattresses release gaseous chemicals that come from the polyurethane, chemical fire retardant coatings and other non-natural materials. These chemicals are leaking out right where you breathe in.
Organic mattresses are made from only natural materials like cotton, latex, wool and coconut husks. You can sleep soundly knowing that your sleeping on a surface that isn't leeching harmful chemicals into your body.
Not all mattresses are made equally. When we think of mattresses, generally, we compare the material they’re made from. Is it foam or a coil spring mattress? Is it soft, medium, or firm? When you first start researching the next mattress you’d like to purchase, it’s important to take a deeper look at not only the type of material the mattress is made of, but also where the materials are sourced.
Traditional mattresses are less expensive for a reason, and you’ll often get what you pay for. Synthetic components, such as polyurethane foams, are a mix of toxic chemicals. The residual chemicals still on the mattress can include not only the fire retardant, but also formaldehyde, pesticides, and more.
Organic mattresses are made from materials of natural and organic origin, including organic latex, cotton, wool, and other natural ingredients. This means that while you sleep, binge watch, or read, you’ll be breathing in clean, chemical-free air and have a safer, healthier night’s sleep.
There is a certain level of transparency that organic mattress manufacturers present. They have to be able to back up their “organic” claim with a host of information and proof of the quality of materials and the health benefits of having an organic mattress under your bedsheets. There is also a strict standard they have to meet in order to be able to assign the organic certification to their mattresses. This is called the Global Organic Textile Standard. Natural latex mattresses can be GOLS certified using certified organic latex.
Did you know mattress makers in the United States are subject to a series of regulations as well, the main one of which has to do with layering a chemical-based fire retardant on our mattress? This means that if there is a fire in your home, a mattress will smolder rather than burst into flames.
As mentioned, all mattresses have to pass federally mandated fire protection requirements. The reason traditional mattresses use such intense fire protection is that they’re normally filled with a foam made of polyurethane, and it’s incredibly flammable. Organic mattresses have fire protection, but it’s organic instead of chemical. In most organic mattresses, a layer of organic wool is sewn into the cover. This natural fire barrier is safer for the environment and, most importantly, safer for your family. The fact that organic mattresses aren’t coated in fire retardant is a primary health benefit. With their high standards, organic mattresses couldn’t claim to be organic if a chemical fire retardant was used on them. So when you opt for an organic mattress made with natural and organic materials, you get a healthier mattress that’s also fire-safe.
While the origin of materials might not be the first thing you notice, you’ll probably take quick notice of the comfort and feel of an organic mattress. Are the differences worth it? What are the key differences between an organic mattress and a traditional one?
Your health will always be a primary focus. With an organic mattress, there is a built-in mini list of pros. The materials used to make organic mattresses are superior. They’re higher quality and come from natural origins, as opposed to being made with synthetic materials. Conventional mattresses are made from a variety of chemicals, and if you’re on the mattress for so many hours a day, you’ll be breathing in those chemicals, and your respiratory system will be subject to chemical exposure.
Organic mattresses can have a higher initial cost, but it’s important to remember that the purchase of an organic mattress can be seen as an investment to benefit your health.
The discovery of organic products for your home can be an exciting yet daunting journey. Taking small steps can be the best way to start. Both price and selection can be barriers to taking the first steps. A good place to start is your sleeping pillow. Putting your head on a comfortable and natural pillow sets the stage.
Check under the sink and try to eliminate toxic cleaners and fragrances. Then move on to larger items such as bedding and then your mattress. Focus on the smallest members of your family. Babies and young children have smaller, more sensitive lungs, and generally spend a lot more time sleeping. If you can start with one room at a time for your house, make sure to get an organic mattress for the most vulnerable in your home first. Chemicals can hinder the endocrine system, so even from a young age, exposure to healthy and organic materials can make all the difference in one’s health.
The team members at Plank and Coil are organic mattress experts and can answer any of your questions about investing in your and your family’s health. Come in today to peruse the various organic mattresses and organic products for your home.
]]>Harvest Green is the newest company we've added to the fold. Like everything else we carry, it is constructed with only the finest organic and natural materials. It is also budget-friendly, with a queen starting at $1,199.
Every mattress is made using certified organic wool, organic cotton, 100% natural latex and,100% handmade button tufted and made in the USA. Each one is also backed by a 25 year warranty. The fact that the warranty extends beyond the time frame of when most people keep their mattresses really proves the quality of the brand.
Come feel a Harvest Green mattress on our showroom floor. You'll find it's quality and comfort make it as easy to sleep as it is on your wallet.
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Pillows are the same, but few people actually consider anything more than how firm or soft a pillow they prefer. But there are various options depending on sleeping style and body shape. How do you know what to get? That's where we can help.
We have various brands of pillows that range in sizes, shapes and of course levels of firmness. You can get a feel for what would work better for you, and our staff can help guide you along to find the right pillow for your body.
Come in and feel the difference for yourself so you can rest better and not wake up with all those aches and pains.
]]>It makes sense when you think about it, a good pillow is just as important as the mattress itself. Depending on your preferred sleep style, your head or even your face can be resting on your pillow for (hopefully) 8 hours ever night. So it stands to reason that maintaining a good pillow is paramount to ensuring quality sleep.
According to SleepFoundation.org, experts suggest that you get a new pillow every one to two years. Keeping up with this cycle can ensure your pillow remains supportive enough to help you sleep comfortably, prevent sleep injuries and also remain free of allergens.
Plank and Coil has a huge selection of pillows for you to choose from. From various materials, levels of firmness and shape, the only thing that's the same is they're comfortable and made from all natural materials.
If you need help picking out the perfect pillow, come see us, we'll help you rest at ease.
]]>1) Mattress placement
Choosing the right mattress is only the first step. It is important to choose the right spot to place it. Experts say arranging your room so that you are able to see out the door while your bed can only be partially seen from the door is a key way to get a better night's rest. It all deals with a feeling of security. Those nighttime fears we had as children may not be as prevalent, but they still can have a subconscious impact when you aren't able to keep an eye on your surroundings and know you're safe. Other things to consider are positioning the bed to minimize light from windows or other sources of light or sound disturbing your sleep.
2) Color Choices
Even if you're a fan bright, bold colors, it's a better idea to subdue things a bit in your bedroom. There have been numerous studies documenting how colors can impact a person's mood. Bright colors can actually energize you or even add to anxiety.
That doesn't mean you have to stick with a boring palette. Instead opt for something in the pastel range of your favorite hue, and you can find yourself drifting off to sleep faster.
3) Window coverings matter
Another well-documented fact is we tend to get better sleep in darker surroundings. Humans have spent thousands of years operating in the daylight and sleeping at night, so it can be hard to fight countless generations of evolution.
You may love those beautiful drapes, but do they block out light? This becomes even more important as we move in to the summer months when the daylight starts much earlier and lasts much later into the night. If you don't want to swap out the sheer drapes, consider adding a window shade you can draw when it's time to sleep. This will give your room, and your body, the darkness it's come to depend on.
4) Functional fragrances
Just like colors can have a huge impact on our mood. The right smells can trigger powerful memories, evoke strong feelings and increase our comfort or amp up our energy level. Lavender is a common scent known for its calming effects. Conversely, citrus can do the opposite, making it more difficult for you to sleep. Play around with some subdued, calming scents in your room to make it easier for you to drift off to sleep.
5) Clean your room
Not to sound like our parents who frequently lamented the cleanliness of our rooms as kids, but there is a connection between clutter and rest. You don't need to break out the vacuum and dust rag every night, but getting rid of clutter can help your mind relax instead of focusing on all the "things to do" around it at night. It's bad enough having a "to-do" list hanging over our heads during the day, don't add to it at night.
These simple tips can help you improve your quality of sleep and get you through your day feeling more energized. If you need any help with finding items to aid in your journey, stop by the store and we'll be glad to help you find what you need.
]]>The principle is based on balance and flow of energy. It's been a Chinese practice in some form or another for thousands of years. It first gained a foothold in America last century and is starting to see increased popularity here again.
The whole idea behind Feng Shui is capturing positive energies and creating a space using layout and materials that help us feel safe. That makes the bedroom the perfect place to try this. Our bedroom is where we most need to feel calm and at ease, and many practitioners believe we can achieve this through Feng Shui design.
House Beautiful has a detailed writeup on ways you can try to bring this practice into your home. If you're feeling like you could use some more balance in your bedroom, especially if it now doubles as a work-from-home space, check out the article for some ideas.
And be sure to stop by the shop if you need any accessories or furniture to help finish your design.
]]>Every March we "spring ahead" which is a nice way of saying we lose an hour of sleep. Not only that, but changing the light and dark patterns can throw off our circadian rhythm, the 24-hour cycle that regulates our sleep which is based on light.
Research has shown that the average person receives about 40 minutes less sleep the Monday after the switch. Nothing is better than starting the week even more tired than normal, right?
Some of us adjust after a day or two, but there are people out there who suffer from a permanent circadian disruption, which can cause a whole host of health issues.
There are steps you can take to help mitigate these issues. In the days leading up to the time change, avoid caffeine, go to bed a bit earlier each day and spend some time outdoors. Granted that last one can be more difficult here in Oregon than in other places.
Experts also suggest napping in moderation. It can seem counterintuitive, but trying to grab some extra sleep can have the opposite effect, making you even more tired. If you do need to take a nap, keep it under 20 minutes and you'll feel more rested than if you dozed for longer.
Hopefully some day we'll no longer have these time changes. Meanwhile, follow those tips to minimize the effects, and visit the store to find some comfortable mattresses and bedding to help make the sleep you do get better.
]]>According to the study, people actually slept less in the days leading up to the full moon. Conversely, they got more sleep in the days leading up to the new moon.
This phenomenon sounds more feasible in the days before electricity had lit up our world. However, scientists studied people in both rural Argentina as well as urban Seattle, and the results matched.
"Our results show that sleep timing is synchronized with the moon cycle under a range of living environments," said the paper's authors.
Sleep differences ranged from 20 or so minutes per night to as much as an hour and a half. Either is substantial, and enough to make the following days a lot more difficult.
Researchers aren't sure what the causes it, but they have some theories. Scientists think both the gravitational effects of the full moon as well as sensitivities to light are at play.
While there's not much we can do about gravity yet, there are ways we can help mitigate other effects. Keep your room dark. Close blinds and even explore the possibility of blackout curtains if you're particularly sensitive.
Of course the right mattress plays a huge part in it as well. Give yourself the best chance at a good night's sleep with organic mattresses using natural latex and other natural materials. If the world is stacked up against you getting the rest you need, we can help you fight back.
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There is actually scientific reasoning behind this age-old disagreement. Men and women's bodies have different ways of regulating temperature. The end result is that couples can't agree to a comfortable thermostat setting, and this makes getting quality sleep with your partner difficult.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, wearing socks to bed can help keep you warmer. Conversely, warm sleepers can help their comfort by keeping their feet outside the covers.
There's an added benefit to going to bed with socks on. Scientists have learned that warming the feet causes a process called vasodilation that can trigger the brain to start prepping for sleep. So not only could you sleep more comfortably, you might also fall asleep easier.
Comfortable mattresses and warm blankets also help keep you cozy and improve the quality of your sleep. Visit our showroom to see the large selection of organic mattresses, mattress covers, blankets and pillows that will keep you comfortable, and help you get the best night's rest possible.
]]>Some of the most common goals we set involve our health, such as eating better, exercising more, even being more positive. Unfortunately, most of those efforts will fall off before long.
On average, 80% of people drop their resolutions by the middle of February. We are so focused on just getting by that there's hardly any energy left to create new habits. One way to help improve your odds is getting enough rest.
According to a study from the CDC, one in three adults don't get enough sleep. Doesn't it make sense to ensure the time you do get to spend in bed is as restful as possible? Sleeping on the right mattress with the best bedding will help.
Our organic mattresses are made with materials you can recognize; who wants to spend eight hours with their head pressed against a chemistry experiment? Our organic cotton and bamboo sheets, comforters, throws and more use materials that are as good for the planet as they are your sleep.
Add in pillows, bedroom furniture and accessories, and we have everything you need to create a bedroom that is a retreat from the rest of the world. It's hard to climb that mountain when you're exhausted, we can help you achieve all the goals you have in life. Visit our showroom today for a safe shopping experience.
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This is a common question and is a subject of much debate. Interestingly enough, it's often people who don't have dogs that staunchly come down on the "no" side. That makes some sense; people who don't have dogs usually don't understand the dog bond.
"Because they're just so darn cute!" is one answer. But that's subjective and doesn't really delve into the science of the mater. A recent article in The Atlantic by Kelly Conaboy goes into this issue, looking at both the science and the cuteness.
The findings
Some studies have shown that letting a dog sleep in your bed does increase the number of times you adjust your position throughout the night. While this could indicate some negative affects, a much larger study examined the sleep patterns of nearly 1000 women. It clearly showed that subjects who had a dog in the bed slept better than those with a cat or even another human.
Essentially the studies show there are so many variables in the equation, it really does come down to your preferences. If you love having your dog in the bed, then it's most likely more beneficial than not.
One way to ensure it's comfortable for you (and your pet) is to have a large enough bed. If you're thinking it's time to size up, we can help. After all, we want you AND your pet to sleep well.
]]>There are many factors that go into sleeping well. You have probably heard of using accessories like eye masks and sound machines or even earplugs, but don’t forget our golden rule—a good night’s sleep is only possible with a high-quality pillow.
There are so many benefits to switching to an organic sleeping pillow. Its low impact on the environment is well-known, but it can also provide you with ample health benefits and allow you to attain a more restful sleeping experience.
An organic pillow from Plank and Coil might be the answer to some of the sleeping problems you’ve been experiencing. If it’s time for new pillows for you and your family, maybe it’s time to consider switching it up from your normal routine. Here are a few of the benefits that you’ll enjoy after switching to an organic sleeping pillow.
When you decide to purchase an organic sleeping pillow, you’ll know that your purchase isn’t negatively affecting the environment. Organic pillows are eco-friendly, and that all starts with the products they’re made from.
The materials that go into your pillow come from the earth, and they aren’t treated with harsh chemicals when farmed. The chemicals used to treat non-organic pillows often find their way into water runoff, which can negatively affect surrounding forests and the wildlife that calls them home. It can also be harmful to the health of the farmers treating those materials, as it’s difficult to not breathe in chemicals. This chemical use is harmful to the environment; investing in an organic pillow means you aren’t supporting that.
Another way organic sleeping pillows are environmentally friendly is that they can be recycled. The natural materials in them allow them to be reused. When you decide that you need to get a new pillow, you don’t have to throw your old organic pillow in the trash. If you like to recycle as much as we do, you know that this significantly reduces your impact on the environment and doesn’t contribute to the chemical waste piling up in landfills.
Did you know that switching to an organic pillow could be better your health?
Most people aren’t aware of the negative side effects that come with putting your head on a pillow filled with chemicals, artificial dyes, or pesticides for eight hours a night. Dyes are used to make your pillow more visually pleasing, but they can contain harsh heavy metals that can cause rashes on the skin. Non-organic pillows can be harsh on your skin and even increase allergy symptoms.
Taking a break from those harsh materials can help to relieve those symptoms naturally. Organic pillows are naturally hypoallergenic, and they won’t attract dust mites. If you have sensitive skin, an organic pillow made of natural materials will be your best choice.
Your pillow should bring you better sleep, not prevent you from achieving it. One of the benefits of switching to an organic sleeping pillow is that it could help you have a better and more comfortable night’s sleep.
Pillows that are filled with non-organic ingredients could be making it harder for you to sleep comfortably, making you wake up more during the night or not be able to fall asleep at all. An organic sleeping pillow does the opposite, with the help of the organic materials it’s made from.
One reason organic sleeping pillows can help you have a more comfortable sleep is because they provide you with support. The quality of material used to make organic pillows allows them to support your neck and head while adding softness. Another way that you can sleep better with an organic pillow is due to its breathability. Your pillow will have better airflow than non-organic pillows, which helps your body to stay cool and release sweat.
Not all pillows can last the same amount of time. Depending on the material used in your pillow, it could stop giving you support in only a matter of weeks. If you’re looking for a good quality pillow, look no further than the organic pillows at Plank and Coil.
Organic pillows are built to last. The natural fibers and high craftsmanship that go into the creation of organic pillows are incomparable to standard, non-organic pillows. They’re able to withstand normal wear and tear because the materials they’re made from are both sturdy and sustainable. Organic pillows also come in a variety of options ranging from very soft to more firm, to help you pick the right pillow for your specific needs.
No one wants to lay their head on a pile of chemicals each night, but when you don’t have an organic pillow, that may be what you’re doing. Even pillows that are made with standard cotton can have chemicals in them.
When non-organic cotton is grown, it’s treated with things like fungicides and insecticides, and it begins with a seed that is genetically modified. Farms do this to help increase their cotton yields, and while it does do that successfully, those chemicals don’t react well with the human body. Organic cotton is grown with seeds that aren’t treated or genetically modified in any way. It isn’t sprayed with any types of chemicals and doesn’t use synthetic fertilizers.
When you buy an organic pillow, what you see is what you get. Non-organic pillows often use unnatural practices to produce a more pleasing appearance to potential customers. Though they may look nice, the methods used to make them look that way aren’t so pleasant. They also might be treated with chemical flame retardants.
Organic pillows, on the other hand, use natural practices to create their appearance. They’re free of artificial dyes and bleaching practices that can cause negative reactions on the body. They’re also naturally flame resistant. Sold yet? Check out some of our options.
]]>The average American sleeps 6.8 hours a night, which means that, on average, you spend over eight days sleeping during a given month. That’s a lot of time sleeping, but as we know, a good night’s sleep helps our brains function, keeps us physically healthy, contributes to the health of our hearts, and protects us from high cholesterol, kidney disease, strokes, and diabetes. Good sleep also helps protect us from crankiness or yelling at the person who cut us off on our way to work.
The list of important health benefits goes on and on. It’s important to make good sleep a priority. At Plank and Coil, we strive to provide the best and healthiest products to help contribute to a consistent good night’s sleep. Let’s take a look at what we have to help you into sweet slumber.
Having an organic mattress means a mattress that doesn’t have any harsh chemical fumes that might impact your health. Organic mattresses contain natural materials that smolder instead of igniting if there’s a fire. Which means they don’t require non-organic flame retardants. So you know you won’t be inhaling any of the harsh chemicals that negatively impact your health. We have many different styles and firmness levels to meet your comfort needs and also offer organic mattresses for cribs to help protect your littlest loved ones.
Here are the organic mattresses you will find at Plank and Coil:
Vispring makes luxury mattresses with some of the finest natural filling, hand side-stitching, and pocketed springs. These handmade mattresses have over 100 years of combined expertise to craft the quality Vispring provides.
Naturepedic has been on a mission since 2003 to enhance the lives of its customers through healthier, safer sleep, all while protecting the environment. Naturepedic supports an organic lifestyle by leaving polyurethane foam, flame retardants, and other toxic materials out of their line.
These certified organic mattresses use materials that are always certified by a third-party agency and come from renewable resources to ensure the Ergovea collection is naturally better for you and the environment.
Suite Sleep sources local materials and uses local suppliers to maintain local manufacturing. They’re fully committed to a better mattress so you can rest easy knowing you’re helping to create a sustainable future.
Palmpring offers premium-quality bedding with chemical-free materials, intelligent design, durable construction, and sustainable production. Palmpring has over 20 years of testing and research experience in producing mattresses with organic materials that have been processed and sourced using non-toxic methods.
Savvy Rest creates mattresses made with soft, medium, or firm layers of natural latex foam rubber. The core components are layers of natural Talalay latex foam or Dunlop, while the casings are crafted with certified organic wool or certified organic cotton. Savvy Rest will never use chemical flame retardants, bleaches, pesticides, dyes, or other toxic finishes.
Here are a few more of the top-quality products you’ll find at Plank and Coil:
We truly believe in offering the best and hold our company to a high standard. Our mission is the convergence of health and sustainability in sourcing, and we seek suppliers who have similar goals. We expect that our manufactures have chosen responsible sources of solid wood and reclaimed solid materials from trustworthy origins.
Our company has committed to not purchasing from sources that allow timber from genetically modified trees, that’s harvested or traded illegally, that’s deemed endangered or rare, or that’s harvested from areas being converted from forests to non-forest uses. We hope to do our part to protect the world’s forests as well as encourage other home furnishing retailers to protect the forests and give their customers better quality.
Plank and Coil started out as a resource for local artists and craftspeople to share their hand-painted furniture, antiques, and art. It was purchased in 2006 by Dennis Rose, who had a vision: to combine home furnishings with health and wellness.
The terms “health” and “green” go together, and green furniture is still in its infancy. So it’s exciting and a challenge to be a part of interior design as we navigate just how to establish protocol for manufacturers and retailers with green standards. We have the ability to offer incredible, comfortable designs to our customers without foregoing safety or renewable resources.
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to get to know us better, or reach out to us with any questions. There’s a lot of information available if you’ve decided to switch to safer, more earth-friendly mattresses and bedding, and we would love to chat with you.
]]>The study showed that heavy stress take nearly 3 years off the life of the average male and just less than 2.5 years for the average female. That's not really surprising when you consider what stress does to us.
When we feel stressed, our body reacts as if we're in danger, releasing a flood of hormones and chemicals that essentially prep our body for the primitive "flight or fight" response. This was all well and good when we were wandering around the prehistoric landscape and having to fight off the occasional sabre toothed cat. But now days when some of us live with almost constant stress, our bodies are not meant to have our defenses up for that long.
Now no one is suggesting that you can just not stress; especially this time of year, and 2020 in particular. Stress is an inevitable part of our lives. But what we can do is improve how we deal with stress, and help ensure that it doesn't affect our lives as much.
When we lead high-stress lives, the little things that are important for our health become even more so. Eating well, exercising and, you guessed it, getting quality sleep. While we can't help you on the first two, we can get you set up with all you need to sleep well and recover from your hectic day. Visit the store for a safe shopping experience that will help you feel better after those hard days, and perhaps live to enjoy life a little bit longer.
]]>A messy bedroom can result in poor sleep. Experts believe that a cluttered bedroom weighs on your subconscious mind and prevents you from enjoying restful sleep. That’s why the first step is to undertake an audit to identify things that shouldn’t be in your bedroom.
These include too many electronic gadgets, exercising equipment, dirty or unfolded laundry, excessive books, items stored under the bed, and so forth. Also, check your nightstand to identify non-essential items. Make sure to not clutter your nightstand by stuffing it with electronic items. Even if the things are not directly in your line of sight, they still have the potential to disrupt your sleep cycle.
Light and temperature play a crucial role in helping us sleep well. If your bedroom is too bright, your body will struggle to produce melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone. A study found that 50 percent of participants slept better when the noise and light in the bedroom were reduced. So eliminate everything that can radiate a lot of light, including electronic devices and LED alarm clocks. Also, choose blackout curtains or blinds for your bedroom.
If your room is excessively hot or cold, the body's internal temperature can be affected, resulting in a disturbed sleeping pattern. In fact, a study has found that the temperature of your bedroom plays a critical role in determining the quality of your sleep. Ensure that the temperature of your bedroom is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit when you sleep at night. Install a thermostat to regulate the temperature better. During the summer months, switch on the air conditioning or the fan to cool down your bedroom at night.
A mattress isn’t just a luxury item. The right mattress maintains your body’s posture and provides your back with ample support while you’re asleep. On the other hand, an old, broken, or ill-fitting mattress will leave you tossing and turning in the bed, affecting your sleep. It could even force you to visit the chiropractor frequently for the aches and pains. That’s why a high-quality mattress is essential if you want to sleep better.
But when you go mattress shopping, avoid purchasing mattresses, pillows, or bedding made with harmful chemicals. Such mattresses and pillows can aggravate your allergies, preventing you from enjoying quality sleep.
Plank and Coil can provide you with the best organic bedding options in Portland, and we can help the way you sleep. Our offerings include organic latex, traditional spring, and hybrid mattresses (coils and latex). We also offer wool and coir (coconut husk) mattresses. All mattresses satisfy federal fire requirements. We also offer over 30 chemical-free pillow options. These pillows are filled with options like wool, kapok, buckwheat, latex, and down and help you to enjoy blissful sleep without running the risk of inhaling hazardous chemicals.
If you’re a light sleeper and the slightest noise can disrupt your sleep, place rugs in your bedroom. Rugs absorb the creaking noises on hardwood floors when your partner gets out of the bed while you’re still sleeping. You can also opt for upholstered beds, as the upholstery helps in absorbing some of that unwanted noise.
Try hanging a sound-absorbent curtain on your bedroom door to prevent any noise from the cracks near the door to disturb your sleep. If nothing else works, consider investing in a white noise machine and a pair of earplugs.
The color of your bedroom walls and the bedding can directly impact your quality of sleep. It’s advisable to stick to calming shades such as blue, gray, green, or silver. These are cooler colors and create a tranquil environment conducive to falling asleep. Avoid using brighter shades like orange and red that can activate your fight-or-flight instinct and keep you alert through the night.
Opt for a matte finish instead of a glossy one. Glossy paints can reflect light and stimulate your brain, making it difficult for you to fall asleep.
Soothing scents in your bedroom can also help you relax and get better sleep. Place electric diffusers or scented candles to create the perfect ambiance before you tune out for the day. You can even try essential oils. Lavender has a soothing and calming effect on your mind. Geranium is popular for its stress-relieving properties. Bergamot can relieve your anxiety. If you don’t want to get a diffuser, you can even put a few drops of essential oil on your pillow.
It’s essential to create a sleep-inducing environment in your bedroom to improve the quality of your rest and wake up refreshed. While this may seem obvious, it’s often overlooked. Changes in the bedroom; healthier sleep habits, such as optimizing your sleep schedule; and creating a relaxing routine before bed will help you get better rest and face the challenges the next morning. If you’re ready to revamp your bedroom and want to know more about organic bedding options, please get in touch with the experts at Plank and Coil. Our team looks forward to answering your queries and help you sleep like a baby.
We know how to enhance your existing décor, as well as how to design your place from top to bottom with accessories that are uniquely you. So if you’re looking for a home décor refresh, read on for some of our top tips for taking your home décor to the next level.
As we mentioned, we’re big on sustainable furniture. There are many natural materials, such as bamboo and rattan, that are eco-friendly and that also make for excellent home décor. Not only are natural materials and sustainable furniture ethically responsible choices, but they also are durable, quality pieces. Incorporating natural materials, such as wood, into your home décor is a way to bring the outdoors in and make your living space feel warm and inviting in the process.
If you’re not ready to upgrade your furniture, look for ways to incorporate smaller organic items into your home décor. This could be a throw or blanket, for instance, that you use in your guest bedroom or display on your living room sofa.
Organic items are free of chemical treatments, making them healthy home décor options for you and your family. When you lay down on one of our organic mattresses or curl up underneath one of our blankets, you can rest easy with the peace of mind of knowing you’re choosing only the best for your loved ones.
Hanging mirrors is often one of the simplest ways to take your home décor to the next level. Lighting is key to showcasing your space in the best possible light, both literally and figuratively. But upgrading lighting in every room of your home can add up to quite a lot. If you’re not ready to do a complete lighting overhaul, think of hanging up some mirrors instead. This is an easy and inexpensive alternative to upgrading a room’s lighting.
So how can hanging mirrors make your room shine a little brighter? Mirrors enhance a room’s natural light by reflecting the light shining in through a room’s windows. You can hang mirrors in pairs on either side of the window or place a group of mirrors on the wall perpendicular to the window to easily up the ante on your home décor.
While you should stick with neutral colors for larger scale items like walls, sofas, and rugs—basically, the bigger ticket items that you don’t switch out as often—you should definitely play up each room in the home with bright pops of color. Think throw pillows and other accent pieces that allow you to add some personality to each room of your home.
Every year, Pantone highlights a color of the year. For a simple and instant home décor upgrade, use smaller accent pieces to incorporate vibrant hues, such as classic blue, into your overall color scheme. This will keep your home décor bright, fresh, and current.
If this year’s color of the year is no longer on-trend next year, not to worry. It’s far easier to switch out small-scale accessories than it is to replace bigger ticket items. If you get tired of one bold color, simply replace it with the next for a quick and easy style refresh.
Lighting isn’t the only thing that should shine bright in your home. Consider adding some sheen in the form of a metallic piece or a sparkly chandelier. Adding a touch of sheen to the home can work wonders in transforming the look and feel of a space. Just as with a mirror, shiny pieces can reflect light and even make a small room appear larger.
Incorporating a bit of shine into your home décor is an easy way to add a touch of elegance and refinement. But be careful not to overdo it. Remember, the key to upgrading your home décor is that everything should be done in moderation. When it comes to interior design, less is certainly more. Adding just a hint of glimmer will go a long way in making your home truly shine.
You’ve done all this work to up the ante on your home décor, so now you should want to show it off. The best way to do that is by decluttering your space.
Each room of your home should have a focal point, a piece that catches your eye and draws your attention to it. If your space is cluttered with books, furniture, or other items, then it will detract from the room’s overall focal point. There will be no one piece for the eye to be drawn to because there are so many competing pieces in the room.
To avoid this, you should declutter your space by storing any nonessential items out of sight. This can be done in a number of ways. If you have a foyer, for instance, you can store these nonessentials in a trunk or other fashionable cabinet.
Your home should be dressed to impress. So only pieces that provide aesthetic beauty, have sentimental value, or tell an interesting story should be on display. Everything else should be stowed away.
If you feel overwhelmed tackling this on your own, or if you want some more help taking your home décor to the next level, give us a call. We want to introduce you to the organic furniture space and find the best and healthiest pieces for your home. At Plank and Coil, we believe by melding home décor with health and wellness, we can truly create a space that fosters a sense of peace and mindfulness.
]]>You'll be able to save at least 10% on almost everything in the store. The great deals include:
You'll find more discounts on bedding, pillows and accessories.
Come in to see the savings and experience a safe, socially-distanced shopping experience.
]]>If your sleeping conditions aren’t as good as they could be, you may be experiencing sleep that feels equivalent to going to bed on hard rock. Not being able to find a comfortable position, being too hot or too cold, or waking unexpectedly is a reality for many people, and it could all be caused by the material their bedding is made from.
You can find a large variety of bedding in Portland, Oregon, with an even larger variety of features, but none will be able to give you a better night’s sleep than organic bedding. With organic bedding, you can rest easy knowing that you’re not breathing in or sleeping on bedding made with harmful chemicals. Plank and Coil can provide you with the best organic bedding options in Portland when you’re ready to make the switch, which is a lot easier to do when you know what you’re missing out on. Here are a few ways organic bedding can give you a better night’s rest.
If you suffer from allergies, you already know how difficult it can be to get through the day dealing with the symptoms. Sleep should be your oasis from the dust and pollen everywhere else. It should be a time to reset your body before you go back into the world, but not everyone is able to experience that break from allergies during their sleep. Some bedding actually triggers people’s allergy symptoms even more.
Depending on what your bedding is made from, harmful chemicals could be causing allergy symptoms, even throughout your sleep. When you purchase organic bedding from Plank and Coil, you won’t have to wonder what’s secretly in your bed. Your bedding will be composed of organic materials that are free of pesticides and naturally hypoallergenic.
With our schedules being busier than ever, it’s easy to try to find more time in the day by giving up a few hours of sleep. Though this may seem like a simple solution to finding more time to get things done, it can actually have a negative effect on your overall health. During a time when a healthy immune system is of utmost importance, our bodies can’t afford to lose out on sleep.
One of the first things a doctor will recommend to aid in your health is a better night’s sleep. During sleeping hours, our bodies recharge to give us the energy we need throughout the day, but not everyone is getting the good night’s rest they deserve or need. Sleep is an important aspect of keeping our immune systems strong, especially during the cold and flu season. This is when our bodies need to rest and reset, and organic bedding can help you make the most of your sleeping hours. Since organic bedding doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals, your body won’t have to work to offset the reactions they cause, giving it more energy to fight off any potential illness.
It’s not uncommon for people with sensitive skin to wake up in the middle of the night. Itchy or chemical-filled bedding can alert even sleeping bodies to wake up and try to remedy the situation. Since the skin is the human body’s largest organ, what we put on it matters. If you’re getting the hoped-for eight hours of use each night, your bedding spends a lot of time touching your skin. Organic bedding contains no added chemicals or fragrances that can irritate your skin. Rather, organic material can actually help to soothe your skin by being breathable and reducing friction.
Being too hot or too cold is one of the most common reasons for being awakened from a good night’s sleep. Sleeping through extreme temperatures is difficult, and it can be made more so when you don’t have the right bedding. Standard bedding will contribute to your discomfort during these times, while organic bedding will help to control your body’s temperature so that you can continue to sleep through the night.
It doesn’t take magic for your bedding to help with temperature control. It just takes natural fibers. Organic bedding can help to control the temperature around your body by encouraging air circulation, which can remove moisture. Natural materials also absorb a lot more moisture than non-organic materials, which gives you more wiggle room to sweat before it becomes uncomfortable. Moisture will evaporate through the bedding in the meantime, and you can remain sleeping soundly.
If you’re looking for a way to clear your conscience environmentally, buying organic bedding from Plank and Coil can earn you some brownie points. You’re doing amazing things for the planet just by opting out of using harmful ingredients. Though it seems like a small way to contribute, choosing to support the organic bedding industry can help to save forests, wildlife, and even other people from being exposed to toxic chemicals.
The harmful materials used in non-organic bedding don’t just have a negative effect on the user. They can wreak havoc on the local environment. This starts with the way those materials are made. When people farm things like non-organic cotton, they use harmful chemicals to do so. These chemicals are absorbed by the cotton itself but also breathed in by the people doing the farming, which can cause health issues for those individuals.
In addition to harming the farmers, the chemicals will enter the soil, which is often displaced when it rains or when the soil is watered. The water can then carry those chemicals and distribute them into larger bodies of water or even into nearby forests. Organic materials avoid the issue of those harmful chemicals and protect the environment while doing so.
Even if you understand how important sleep is, it may not be as straightforward to facilitate a good night’s rest. For instance, if you’re taking medication that keeps you awake at night, or if you suffer from insomnia, you may have difficulty falling or staying asleep. Or maybe it’s simply that your old mattress isn’t cutting it anymore.
There are plenty of actions you can take to make sure you get a good night’s rest, and one of those is to think hard about your mattress. If your mattress is old, it can make falling asleep more difficult than it should be, and it could be causing problems such as aches in the morning or even worsening your allergies. Your mattress is important to creating a comfortable and comforting atmosphere. Investing in a good mattress will create powerful improvements in your sleep cycle and quality of sleep. Here are four reasons why purchasing a natural latex mattress might be the best decision you make this year.
A mattress that matches your needs will relieve aches and pains instead of making them worse. With the proper mattress, chronic back pain from old, broken mattresses will be a thing of the past. Your old mattress has been compounded by many nights of you sleeping in the same positions, which can create pressure points and misalign your body. Your chiropractor might like you since they’ll see you more often, but as a result, you’ll feel sore and your joints may ache. You can develop lower back pain, neck pain, and pain in your hips.
When you bought it, your mattress may have been good for you simply because it was new. A high-quality mattress will not only promote a healthy sleep posture but will also support your body and the curve of your spine, in whichever position you find comfortable. The most important thing to be aware of when shopping for a new mattress is that you find one that will evenly distribute your weight. This will negate stress on any one particular body part. Chronic pain and morning aches will be a thing of the past when you bring a latex mattress into the equation.
If you have sensitive skin, allergies, or asthma, a natural latex mattress is a great option and will reduce your exposure to allergens. Your old mattress is a magnet for dust mites: they thrive in warm, humid conditions with lots of food (such as your dead skin cells). Here in Oregon, humidity is a fact of life as well—it seems like we’re always battling it. Dust mites are what make you wake up with a sneezy, stuffy nose and watery eyes, and they can exacerbate breathing problems such as asthma. The good news is that dust mites cannot live in a latex mattress. Switch out your old mattress for a new germ-resistant latex one, and you can kick those bugs to the curb.
Of course, you should take additional precautions in order to minimize dust mites as much as possible because they can still live in your bedding and pillows. This includes vacuuming your mattress (especially if your vacuum has a HEPA filter), running your pillow through the dryer every so often for 15 minutes, and washing your bedding in hot water once a week. To combat humidity, run a dehumidifier or an air conditioning unit.
Your investment in a natural latex mattress means that you won’t have to replace it as soon as you would a traditional mattress. This means fewer items that go to the landfill.
The previous “new” standard of mattress used to be memory foam. However, memory foam is a synthetic, man-made product, whereas a latex mattress is derived from the sap of rubber trees. The latex is made when the sap from the tree is whipped until it is frothy (like you do with an egg white). The froth is then poured into molds and baked. This means it’s more durable than memory foam and doesn’t break down as easily. Once the mattress makes its way into your home, there’s no toxic off-gassing and no harsh chemicals that can break down over time. Latex is also breathable, so you won’t feel as hot as you might with a memory foam mattress.
Also, over time, a memory foam mattress will have more difficulty bouncing back from your impression on its surface. One of the major drawbacks of a memory foam mattress is that it will eventually dip and/or sag. Since a natural latex mattress is much more durable, unlike memory foam, latex mattresses quickly bounce back or reshape to your body whenever you get out of bed or move.
Since latex is a natural substance, and so much more durable than other mattresses—memory foam or otherwise—you can expect it to keep you comfortable for longer at night. This saves you time and energy shopping for another mattress sooner than you’d like, on top of saving you money. Natural latex mattresses are meant to last between 10 and 20 years, so you can rest assured that you’ll be reaping the benefits far into the future. Compare that to other mattresses, which may only last seven years on average.
Here at Plank and Coil, we keep your health in mind as we source our natural fibers and materials, in order to set an example for home furnishing retailers. It’s our responsibility to protect our customers and provide the best materials we can find. Our Oregon roots run deep, and we look forward to answering your questions about how a natural latex mattress can change your life.
]]>Why is this such a common trope for the horror genre? Just think of how important good sleep is, and what happens when we don't get it. One or two nights of bad sleep and our mood sours and we have a hard time concentrating. Add in a few more nights and we start suffering from serious health issues. There's a reason sleep deprivation is a form of torture.
While it can be fun to have a good scare every once in a while, our health, both physical and mental, would be so much better served by leaving the nightmares to the movies, and getting a good night's rest. The foundation of that is a comfortable mattress. Visit our showroom and get a feel for what a quality, organic mattress can do for your wellbeing.
No tricks here this Halloween, only treats for your sleep.
]]>Baby bedding can be made with toxic materials that you wouldn’t want your baby to be exposed to, which is why organic baby bedding is such a popular healthy option amongst parents. As a new parent, you want the best for your baby, which is why Portland companies like Plank and Coil sell a variety of organic baby bedding options to choose from. Organic sheets, mattresses, and pillows can contribute to a more sound sleeping experience, while also avoiding toxins that can cause health issues or irritate your baby’s skin.
Most parents want the best for their babies, and that should include finding them the best possible bedding for their fragile and growing bodies. Here are a few of the benefits that come with giving your baby organic bedding.
Babies need their parents’ protection, and this is especially true when it comes to baby bedding. Standard bedding comes with much more than you bargain for upon purchase. Though it includes a comfortable crib mattress for your baby to sleep on, it may also be filled with chemicals. With so many hours of sleeping each day, your baby will have prolonged periods of being very close to a chemical-filled mattress. There, they will be breathing in and possibly ingesting materials that no parent would ever want their kids to be close to.
One of the most common kinds of chemicals that you’ll avoid with organic bedding is chemical flame retardants. They’re added to fibers to decrease their flammability, but their substances are known to off-gas into the air and accumulate in other areas of your home. These kinds of additives won’t be found in organic bedding. Yet, organic bedding is often just as flame-resistant. Fabrics such as organic wool are naturally flame retardant, while other organic fabrics can add safety-certified foam and all-natural latex to their bedding to produce a naturally flame-retardant product.
When you choose organic baby bedding, know that you’re choosing some of the most breathable material that you can find. Breathable material in your baby’s bedding can create a better sleeping environment for your baby. Organic bedding is a sure way to improve your baby’s sleeping habits by using more breathable materials.
Babies are aware of their bodies, and although they can’t express it through words, an uncomfortable sleeping experience will often lead to a baby waking up and crying in the night. Organic bedding will stop moisture on their bodies from standing stagnant and will contribute to keeping your baby warm in the winter and cool in the summer, when the weather is typically harsher on a baby’s sensitive skin. A steady temperature in your baby’s crib will contribute to a restful night’s sleep by avoiding overheating and waking up unnecessarily—a positive outcome for both you and your little one.
When you purchase organic baby bedding in Portland, your baby won’t be the only one benefiting from it. The whole environment will. Organic baby bedding has a better environmental impact than standard bedding, simply by using more environmentally friendly materials.
Cotton that’s conventionally farmed is often filled with insecticides and pesticides. These chemicals help to produce greater yields, but they also produce a negative effect on the environment. Pesticides that are sprayed on cotton plants can eventually enter the food chain through the water supply. This unknowingly affects the wildlife in the surrounding area where the cotton is grown and can create devastating results for the land and water systems. Investing in organic baby bedding prevents you from contributing toxicity to the environment.
As well as being a better choice for the environment where it grows, organic baby bedding also creates a better working environment for the people producing it. Farmers and manufacturers who work with the organic material that organic baby bedding is made from aren’t subject to the chemicals used in standard bedding material. This helps producers and farmers to stay healthier while doing their work.
Babies have very sensitive skin, more sensitive than the skin of most adults. And every time a new baby is exposed to something, it’s the first time. This is why parents are so careful when introducing new foods, for instance. The same could be said for their bedding. Your baby may experience rashes that seem random, but they could be caused by their bedding. Artificial fragrances, pesticides, and allergy-triggering chemicals could all be hiding in your baby’s bedding without you knowing it, and irritating their sensitive skin.
Achieving an attractive color for baby bedding isn’t done without consequences. Toxic chemicals are often found in unnatural colorants used to achieve bright colors. With organic baby bedding, all coloring is produced using non-toxic dyes and without the treatment of toxic substances like bleach. Synthetic fragrances are another additive that can cause a reaction in your baby’s skin; organic bedding won’t have this.
As infants have direct skin contact with these fibers, chemicals, and toxic additives, it’s easy for irritants and allergens to enter their systems. The skin is the largest organ in the body, even for babies, and what their skin comes in contact with matters.
When you use organic baby bedding from Portland companies like Plank and Coil, you’ll know exactly what your baby’s bedding is made from. Organic bedding is made without using harmful ingredients that could irritate a baby’s skin, disrupt their breathing, or affect their sleep. By not adding anything extra, there’s a lesser chance of the bedding itself causing an adverse reaction or provoking an allergic reaction. Using organic baby bedding is the easiest way to know that your baby is only being exposed to natural materials made by people who have your baby’s health in mind when creating the product.
]]>It's easy to see just how important a good night's sleep is to our wellbeing. Anyone who has had to drag themselves to work after a sleepless night can attest to that connection. But what about overall health? Scientists are continually uncovering more evidence connecting the quality of sleep one gets with their overall health.
According to an article on the Mayo clinic's website, our immune systems recharge when we sleep. People who don't sleep well are more likely to comedown with an illness when exposed to it. This is something we all try to avoid during any normal cold and flu season, and with COVID, this year is certainly anything but a normal cold and flu season.
The Mayo Clinic piece goes on to recommend that the average adult get 7-10 hours of sleep. Teenagers generally need 9 - 10 and younger kids can need more than 10.
It's also important to not confuse quantity of sleep with quality. Getting 10 hours of non-recuperative sleep is worse than getting 7 hours of restful sleep. The first step to getting good sleep is having a quality mattress.
Don't think of a good mattress as a luxury purchase, you're investing in your health. We spend money every day on medicines, gym memberships and all sorts of other things to try to stay healthy; a mattress is one of the simplest steps you can take.
Visit us in store for a safe, stress-free shopping experience. It will be your first step to a healthier, happier you.
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You can sleep confidently with a chemical-free pillow, knowing for sure that you won’t be inhaling toxic chemicals through the night like with synthetic pillows. While you’re sleeping, you’re having some of the most concentrated breathing hours of your day, so you want to make sure you’re conscious of what your pillows are doing to you.
It’s much easier to find a chemical-free pillow than you might think. At Plank and Coil, there are over 30 chemical-free pillow options to choose from, and they can all accommodate your sleep preferences. Filled with options such as wool, kapok, buckwheat, latex, down and more, these pillows will give you a good night’s sleep, without the added hazards that come with chemicals.
If you’ve been wondering how you can achieve a better night’s sleep, a chemical-free pillow may be a great choice for you. Here are a few reasons why you should switch to a chemical-free pillow today.
It may seem like a good thing to have around, but fire retardants aren’t a chemical you want to have in your pillow. These chemicals are added to items and will slow or prevent fires from occurring on their surfaces. Their presence can be helpful in some items, but when added to your pillows, they can become dangerous to your health.
For starters, polyurethane is found in many foam pillows. Over-exposure to polyurethane can lead to breathing problems such as asthma, coughing, and shortness of breath. But due to polyurethane’s high combustibility, fire retardants in the form of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) can also be added to these pillows. PBDEs are known to emit hormone disputants that can contaminate breast milk for mothers and build up in your home.
There are many types of chemical-free pillows that don’t add fire retardants, such as wool pillows—a favorite at Plank and Coil. A chemical-free pillow can provide you with the same sleep support without the potential health hazards of pillows that use fire retardants.
Recycling isn’t the only thing you can do to be more kind to the environment. You can give back to the environment by intentionally purchasing items that don’t aid in its destruction. Every item that you buy either contributes to a safer and healthier environment or aids in its toxicity, and a chemical-filled pillow will be doing the latter.
When your chemical-filled pillow wears out, you may unknowingly be harming the environment by throwing it away. The chemicals found in the pillow may find their way to water sources, which can contaminate the living environment and water source for various types of wildlife. Another issue with these products in the environment is that the substances they’re made of usually cannot be recycled, and they take a long time to naturally break down. With a chemical-free pillow, you can rest assured knowing that your purchase is both healthy for you and for the environment.
If you’ve ever purchased a pillow with chemicals before, you may have noticed a chemical smell after opening it from the packaging—the “new pillow” smell. This odor usually goes away, but it’s caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Foam pillows specifically are known to contain VOCs that are released through a process called off-gassing. This process releases those chemicals into the air, which can then easily enter your body when you breathe them in.
Pillows with these types of chemicals in them are known to create a reaction in the body. Symptoms such as asthma attacks or eye and nose irritation are likely to happen when using pillows with VOCs. They also have the potential to create long-term effects that may include issues like damage to the kidneys and liver. Purchasing a chemical-free pillow from Plank and Coil is a great way to avoid the toxicity and the potential health hazards that may come with standard pillows.
Allergy symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes are even more frustrating when they happen during the night. If you or someone in your family is prone to allergies, you know how important it is to eliminate anything that has the potential to induce symptoms. For many, this means making sure to dust and making sure to keep the air quality in the home high with a good HVAC system. Still, many people don’t know that a chemical-filled pillow could also be causing these symptoms or making them worse.
When you switch to a chemical-free pillow, you’ll typically be purchasing one that is hypoallergenic, which means that it’s unlikely to cause allergic reactions. The lack of extra chemical additives is the reason for this change. A pillow with natural and organic material allows you to experience fewer allergy symptoms during your sleep, which also contributes to a more restful, less-interrupted sleeping experience.
A pleasant-scented product can make the decision to buy it much easier. This is often the case for pillows, as people think that a scent-infused pillow will contribute to their sleeping better, but it can sometimes have the opposite effect. Unnatural scents can actually do more harm to you than good.
In most scenarios, companies scent their pillows with artificial scents, perfumes, and deodorizers. These perfumes are usually filled with many chemicals that can cause adverse effects on the skin. Though it may smell good to you, their intent is not always to produce a likable scent for customers. Scented pillows are often over-scented to mask the smell of the chemicals being emitted. With a chemical-free pillow, any scent is natural and doesn’t contain harsh chemical additives.
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