With fall soon upon us, it might be time to add another blanket. Make your own with these clever DIY blanket ideas.

Since cooler weather keeps many of us indoors–and is a good excuse to craft–you can make your make DIY blanket or throw instead of buying new. It’s also a practical way to repurpose everything from old t-shirts and yarn to fabric scraps, as well as old curtains, button-up shirts, flannel sheets, and more. Every few Christmases my grandmom would gift each of us grandchildren with a new handmade blanket. Not only were they warmly practical, but I cherished each and every one of those homemade blankets until they fell apart. Now I like to make my own, and I’m always on the lookout for smart and easy DIY blanket ideas.

Simple DIY Blanket Ideas

1. Chunky Knit – Learn to knit a basic chunky knit blanket with this simple tutorial from Knit Aid by simply knitting squares and combining them. The beauty of this project is you can scale the project to any size you’d like. It’s also super easy to knit up on the go without needing to haul the entire blanket around.

2. Flannel Lap Quilt  – Turn super soft and plush flannel into a sophisticated and elegant lap quilt with this easy project. This one is perfect for leaving on the back of the sofa or at work to pull over your legs when the office is too cold.

3. No Sew Fleece – Any project that is no sew is no brainer for me. While I’m not opposed to basic sewing projects, not having to haul out the sewing machine is a plus. This simple project for making a fleece blanket involves cutting and knotting fringe to finish off the ends of your fabric.

4. Tshirt Quilt – Turn those old concert tees that you’re holding onto into a practical quilt to throw over the back of the sofa or the foot of your bed. While this project does involve more sewing than the no sew fleece one, the sewing required is pretty basic stuff.

5. Simple Trim Flannel Blanket – Looking for an even easier project? Turn flannel of all stripes and hues into pretty throws by just adding fringe or trims to finish the ends. There are several options offered.

6. 30-Minute ‘Star Wars’ (Or Any Print) Snuggle Blanket – Even if you aren’t a fan of “Star Wars,” I know you are a fan of making anything in only thirty minutes. And besides, you can easily choose whatever print or pattern you favor.

7. Patchwork Sweater Blanket – Similar to the t-shirt quilt, it’s possible to repurpose old sweaters into a warm blanket. It’s also an excellent way to rid your drawers of all those worn sweaters you’ve meant to donate.

Related on EcoSalon

Brr! DIY Throw Blankets You Can Make to Stay Warm
10 Winter Nest Decor Ideas: Hibernate in Style

8 Chunky Knit Accessories: You’ll Make Any Excuse to Bundle Up Now

Books and Glasses on Bed Image via Shutterstock

The post 7 DIY Blanket Ideas Just in Time for Cooler Weather appeared first on EcoSalon.

Ready to learn the best methods on how to wash comforters and pillows naturally? You’re in luck. But first, we’ll touch on the importance of choosing the healthiest and most effective cleaning products.

Dangers of Conventional Detergents and Fabric Softeners

It has become common knowledge that laundry detergents and fabric softeners contain a slew of unsavory chemicals. The residue and scents left behind can be toxic to our skin and allergies, but an alarming fact that many of you may not know is that our dryers actually emit more than 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when scented detergent and dryer sheets are used.

Other need-to-know facts involve detergents containing petrochemicals and synthetic fragrances, even though they’re labeled “fragrance free.” Most companies are said to also add optical brighteners to detergent formulas, creating the illusion of brighter whites through blue light emitting chemicals that have the potential to cause skin irritation. (To learn more about which chemicals to avoid, check out this comprehensive list.)

Alternatives to Conventional Detergents and Fabric Softeners

A few ways that you can avoid harmful chemicals in your detergent and fabric softener is to look for the EPA’s Design for Environment logo, substitute for fabric softeners by using a ½ cup of vinegar in the rise cycle, try recycled wool dryer balls in lieu of dryer sheets, use baking soda as a brightener, or just make your own detergent instead.

Here’s a great detergent recipe from Mother Earth Living to get you started. And if you’re not the do-it-yourself type, or just don’t want to be bothered by making your own detergent, then we’ve got you covered with recommendations from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) on what to buy and what to avoid on your next trip to the store.

The EWG bases its product ratings on the probability that the following could be caused or may occur as a result of exposure based on the product’s ingredients: asthma/respiratory problems, skin allergies and irritation, developmental and reproductive toxicity, cancer, and environmental effects.

Safe Detergents & Fabric Softeners

Safer detergents may not be plentiful, but they’re much easier to obtain than you may think. In fact, many of these can be purchased from your local grocery or health food store. These received a rating of “A” from EWG, the highest rating on their scale:

• Planet Ultra Powdered Laundry Detergent, Hypo-Allergenic (see updated ingredients list)
• Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Detergent Powder, Citrus & Wild Lavender
• Green Shield Organic Laundry Detergent, Free & Clear
• Martha Stewart Clean Laundry Detergent
• Green Shield Organic Fabric Softener, Lavender Mint (the only “A” rated fabric softener listed on the EWG site)

Unsafe Detergents & Fabric Softeners

Although there are far more unsafe products than there are healthy, we’ve still provided a handful of brands to avoid. These received a rating of “F” from EWG, the lowest rating on their scale:

• Kirkland Signature Environmentally Friendly Laundry Detergent
• Meyer’s Clean Day Laundry Detergent (variety of scents)
• Green Works Naturally Derived Laundry Detergent, Original
• Sun & Earth Fabric Softener Sheets, Fresh Citrus
• Legacy of Clean Fabric Softener, Original

How to Wash Comforters and Pillows

Now that you know what to use, here is how to use it on your comforters and pillows:

When it comes to comforters and pillows, advice from the queen of housekeeping and all things perfect, Martha Stewart, has a variety of suggestions on how best to keep your comforters and pillows squeaky clean.

Wash

Per the website, it is recommended that comforters and pillows have covers to help shield from allergens, as well as guard against oils that can break down fabric and cause filling to leak. If you have a comforter cover (duvet), it should be washed weekly, or monthly if you use a top sheet, but you won’t have to wash the comforter itself unless you spill something on it.

On the other hand, pillow covers should be washed weekly or bi-weekly and the pillows themselves should be washed every 3 to 6 months. Both comforters and pillows are best cleaned in a front loading machine.

You may also wash comforters and pillows according to the label’s directions, but if they won’t fit in your washer, the next best thing is a roomy machine at the Laundromat. Depending on the soil level and the instructions, “warm” and “delicate” may be the highest settings you should choose. And remember, don’t go overboard on the detergent, a small amount of an all-natural laundry soap is all you really need.

Dry

Removing moisture is crucial for both comforters and pillows, so be sure to thoroughly dry your covers, comforters, and pillows in a heated machine dryer – and don’t forget your tennis or recycled wool balls to speed up the process. Avoid putting anything with foam in the dryer – it will surely melt!

To refresh your comforter every few months, it is suggested that you hang it on a clothesline on dry, breezy day.

Down

Down comforters and pillows can be washed in much the same way, so long as you use the Laundromat. Just be sure to dry the comforter on a low heat setting, bring your dryer balls, and a lot of magazines to keep you busy while you wait. If it’s still not dry after several hours bring the comforter home and lay or hang it out to dry immediately. Avoid letting the down clump together and repair any tears or rips with a needle and thread before laundering.

Now that you’ve gotten the scoop on how to wash comforters and pillows, we want you to share your experiences. Did you already know about the hazards of detergents and fabric softeners? What are some of your favorite eco-friendly laundering supplies? Have you ever or would you ever make your own detergent? Say hello and share your thoughts on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

Related on EcoSalon

Yes, a DIY Linen Spray Can Totally Change Your Life

Every Drop Counts: Low-Flow Fixtures for Kitchens and Baths

Try These 3 Low-VOC  Interior Paint Brands for Your Next Fall Project

Image of Bedding via Shutterstock

The post How to Wash Comforters and Pillows Naturally appeared first on EcoSalon.

It’s back-to-school time again and that means millions of students are headed to college for the very first time. That also means many are faced with dorm room living—and decorating! Unfortunately, the move-every-year nature of college means that there is plenty of waste. But there are solutions (and they are all budget-friendly to boot!). 

I live in a college town (yes, I’m a townie). This time of year us townies know better than to even think about heading to any of the those large retailers like Kmart, Target, or Walmart. They are all madhouses right about now with all the college kids and their parents looking for extra long twin fitted sheets, bulletin boards and shower shoes. It’s actually quite scary to go into one of these stores just after move-in weekend, because it looks like a disaster hit–the shelves are bare and there’s the detritus no one wanted all over the floors!

It’s also kind of scary because of the sheer mass-consumerism of it all. The stress and worry of a new undertaking (for both parents and students) is enough to drive some to make poor consumer choices. Remember the mantra “reduce, reuse and recycle” applies to dorm room shopping as well.

One area that is particularly fraught is dorm room decor. In an effort to create a home away from home many are tempted into over purchasing by large retailers looking to cash in on the college crowd.  So, in the rush to personalize the dorm room, don’t throw your commitment to sustainable living out the window. Here are some low-impact ideas.

1. Thrift Shop and Yard Sales

Image: VintageSmiths

In my town, there are several thrift shops and many folks plan yard sales during move-in weekend, so there are lots of opportunities to find secondhand dorm room needs. Check Craigslist, college message boards, and bulletin boards around campus for flyers.

2. Leave Them Bare

Image: POTAPOTA

While there’s a need to hit the ground running when it comes to things like bedding, there’s no need to feel obligated to cover the walls by the end of orientation. Consider that whatever tastes students may have a brand new freshman might change by the end of the semester. It’s actually pretty common! Leave the walls bare and leave room for those inspirational sayings and bands students are going to discover.

3. Scale it Back

Truly think about what’s a necessity and what’s not. Every year at the end of the semester the university in my town places dumpsters around the area for all the waste that will be thrown out when the students vacate their dorm rooms. Think about that when deciding what you cannot live without.  Not every room needs a microwave–especially if the community room has one!

4. Make Sustainable Choices

Image: Hand Made Organic

When you have to purchase new goods, choose eco-conscious products where possible. By planning ahead and purchasing online, it is possible to purchase  organic cotton bedding, curtains and more. Plus, more retailers are including sustainable products in retail locations as well. Do a little research.

5. DIY

Image: OSD

Allow for a little creativity to shine through and consider adding some diy touches to the dorm room like an old wooden frame remade into a jewelry organizer (like the one pictured above). There are literally millions of DIY instructions online for almost any project, so try Googling “DIY” and whatever you need (garbage can, towel rack, etc.).

Top Image:  Michigan State University Archives

Related on Ecosalon:

Master Bohemian Style for Your Home with DIY Projects

Color Trend in Home Decorating: Yellow is the New Black

The post Sustainable Back-to-School Dorm Room Style: 5 Ways to Save Money and Waste Less appeared first on EcoSalon.

With bedding this eco and luxe, you’re likely to spend more than a few weekends stationed in Cozy Town this fall.

During the cool autumn months, few spots on earth are as inviting as Cozy Town, USA. What and where is Cozy Town, exactly? It’s a mystical place located east of pajama junction, west of chamomile city, south of HBO heaven, and directly north of your mattress pad. It’s where you vacation after a long day interacting with the world – an increasingly cold world, filled with puffy coated people and their knitted accoutrements.

Lampooning yourself in Cozy Town when you could be leaf peeping in the Shenandoah Valley isn’t slothful or lazy, per se, it’s restorative and good for the planet, your way of reducing your footprint by kicking your feet up on eco-luxe pillows.

Pictured here, a woodsy bed inspired by autumn featuring a linen duvet atop a stitched sham, over honeycomb cotton, all from nature bedding company Coyuchi.

Also from Coyuchi, the chunky weave of this blanket is a textured and warm Jacquard woven of pure organic cotton.

Woven in alternating diamond and pointelle stripes, these double-layered blankets could turn the most seasoned bar hopper into a seasonal cuddle bunny.

Bamboo bedding is an environmentally friendly and sustainable material. Plus it’s ideal for anyone with skin sensitivities since the bamboo plant has natural antibacterial properties, which prevents bacterial growth and odors.

Silky-smooth sheets from VivaTerra and 250 thread count embroidered ones are NATURALS, respectively.

West Elm is big and boxy, fine. But they have a line of bedding that is both affordable and made from 100% organic cotton. Here, what they describe as their signature green product, hand stitched pintuck pleated shams and duvet covers.

The Euro pillow is made from 230-thread-count organic cotton shells. The interiors of these “Euro pillows” are treated with a 15-step cleaning process that makes the down hypoallergenic and ensures its purity. Also available with a down-alternative fill.

A cooperative of 50 artisans in northwest India hand-printed this bedding collection from VivaTerra. Created by carving patterns into wood blocks, dipping them into natural color and pressing them onto the fabric, the result is soft, pesticide-free, cotton comfort.

It’s also Fair Trade Certified, as demonstrated in this video made for your Cozy Town viewing pleasure.

Images: The 10 cent designer

The post Cozy Town: A Fall Move Into Organic Bedding Country appeared first on EcoSalon.

Organic cotton blocked paisley duvet cover.

This Blocked Paisley Duvet Cover ($89) isn’t simply bedding, it’s a place to nestle your dreams. The pretty weave of 100% organic cotton is a repetitive graphic wonder.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com.

The post Lustables: Blocked Paisley Bedding appeared first on EcoSalon.

No matter how cozy and inviting the rest of your bedding is, you won’t get a good night’s sleep unless you’re resting your head on a comfortable pillow. There are all kinds out there to choose from, so let’s take a look at the options so you can find the best cradle for your noggin.

Foam – Memory-foam pillows are a pretty cool concept. They mold to your head and momentarily retain their shape when you move around, so you kind of feel like you’re sleeping on a custom-made headrest. On the other hand, they don’t have the immediate pliability of down or cotton-filled pillows, so if you squirm around in your sleep, they might drive you up the wall. Foam pillows are typically made of synthetic filling and give off a chemical smell that some people find irritating. Shop around to find ones that are made of natural, plant-based ingredients like soy, latex or rubber.

Down – From an allergen standpoint, goose down is your best option if you’re looking for a feather-filled pillow to snooze on. They’ll set you back a lot more than pillows filled with chicken or turkey feathers, but are also less likely to cause an allergic reaction to those with sensitivities.

Kapok – This tree-based fiber fill is reminiscent of down, but without the potential allergy problems associated with animal feathers. Kapok is harvested in rainforests, so if you go this route, make sure you’re buying from a company that’s committed to environmental responsibility.

Organic cotton – Cotton pillows are comfy, firm, and can withstand nightly use for a long time without needing to be replaced. Available in a wide price range, you should be able to find a good chemical-free, organic style to fit your budget without sacrificing your commitment to live responsibly.

Buckwheat – Made from buckwheat hulls leftover from the milling process, this is the perfect choice if you’re always flipping your pillow back and forth looking for the cool spot. Beware, though, all those hulls rattling around next to your ear all night are kinda noisy. Millet hull pillows offer the same benefits as buckwheat but don’t sound like a thousand Mexican jumping beans moving around under your head. Or, if you can’t bear to part with buckwheat, get a thick pillowcase to muffle the sound a bit.

Hemp – If you want to catch 420 winks on a hemp pillow, look for 100 percent hemp fill, not just a standard pillow with a hemp cover. The weight of your head will tamp down the filling over time so this is the way to go if you like a slim, flat pillow over a cushier alternative.

Wool – Most wool-stuffed pillows are made from sheeps’ wool, but alpaca wool is becoming a hot trend as well. Alpaca wool is more breathable that it’s sheepy counterpart, and therefore cooler to rest on during a hot summer night. It’s also softer and won’t mat as easily as sheeps’ wool, so give an alpaca-stuffed pillow a second look if you like wool filler but have had issues with it in the past.

Image: quinn.anya

The post Choose the Right Pillow for Your Best Slumber appeared first on EcoSalon.

Snuggling into a fluffy bed swathed in soft organic sheets is pure heaven. But before you head out to shop for bedding, let’s take a look at what you need to know before you buy.

What is this organic bedding of which you speak?

Instead of scratchy, irritant-laden cotton/polyester blends, organic bedding is made from only 100 percent natural products that don’t contain any synthetic chemicals or materials. For instance, most organic mattresses are made from 100 percent cotton and contain natural foam latex from the sap of rubber trees. Sheets, blankets, and pillowcases are typically made from a combination of organic cotton and wool.

Organic bedding is biodegradable so, theoretically, you could chop up an old sheet and dump it in your garden where it will eventually disintegrate. Realistically, it means that when your bedding graduates from your bed to your rag pile, you can eventually toss it in the trash and not worry about what it’s doing to the local landfill.

Where do I find the good stuff?

We’ve already written about where to find great organic sheets from everywhere from Pottery Barn to Macy’s. If you know your way around a sewing machine and want to make your own customized bedding, hit up a local upholstery shop to help you get the fabric you need. Be sure to check out our post on eco-friendly textiles for extra tips on measuring and fitting.

For specific bedding ideas, we love:

• This soft, 200-thread count whimsical China-themed children’s bedding. We’re also nuts for, well, anything from Pottery Barn Kids – like this organic line of Doctor Suess awesomeness.
• Certified organic crib sheets and liners for our precious babes.
• Earth-toned organic cotton bedding for a serene, soothing bedroom decor.
• Bohemian floral sheets and comforters from Midwest modern designer Amy Butler.

Great bedding is only part of the equation of getting a good night’s sleep. Check out our seven tips for making the most of your slumber. Good night, sleep tight. Don’t let the bedbugs bite.

Image: Coyuchi

The post Everything You Need to Know About Organic Bedding appeared first on EcoSalon.

Here are new finds we love:

Flax, silk, cotton and hemp duvets and and ed skirts from Zia and Tia combine organic sustainable elements in both monochromatic and rich color options (pick from the pile), adding exotic elements to your room. Custom quality and a bit pricier than most. Think henna tattoo for the linens. $400 to $750.

The Kalamkari bed cover and shams collection from Viva Terra weaves the floral and fern motif in natural indigo on pure white sun-bleached organic cotton, using gentle Ayurvedic dyes extracted from plants and roots in a process dating back 400 years, $45 to $99.

Red Coral Organic Duvet Cover and Sham, Pottery Barn, $25 – $110. Our coral reefs may be disappearing but this gift form the sea still thrives in textile design and takes you to a resort mindset even in rainy, winter weather.

Bungle in the jungle, baby, with the organic and highly exotic Desert Retreat Leopard Duvet, $143 to $223, from Ralph Lauren Spa. This is an animal print we can live with.

Placid shading and stonelike textural originality from VivaTerra, the exquisite Felted Stone Lumbar Pillow by renowned South African textile designer Ronel Jordaan, $198.

Anthropologie is waking up to organic – finally – in its BoHo fashion, introducing new organic cotton sheeting evoking ferns, flowers, berries and vines. Sets are $68 to $268.

The post Lay Lady Lay appeared first on EcoSalon.

“When you watch the commercials you can tell they’re made of cheap stuff,” says my astute oldest daughter about the fleece blanket sensation known as the Snuggieâ„¢. “The people wearing them are just so cheesy, like the man in the leopard one who says he’s so glad he found a fun designer print that suits his personality.”

Snuggie consumers proudly wear the Made-in-China label on their sleeves, not considering the synthetic polyester fabric they’re breathing in all the while they’re adjusting their thermostats in the thin, robe-like throws. I find they leave me as cold as those stinky, plastic sealed airline blankets gifted to us on flights.

I’m not the only one with a chilly view of the blankets. There’s the YouTube ad that parodies by Snuggieâ„¢ haters, such as one done in the mockumentary format of The Office in which an employer forces her people to wear the wraps at work, despite their protests. A piece in Time shares one young man’s review: “It’s a bathrobe. That is really long. That you wear backwards.”

So far, five million and counting have bought into the ads depicting gray-haired ladies knitting on the sofa, moms reading on the sofa, great aunts chatting away on the phone on the sofa. One thing is clear: Folks just don’t get off that sofa when they’re folded into a Snuggie. Call it a straight jacket for polluted planet!

Allstar Products Group, Inc., the maker of the blanket, set up a Facebook Fan page and attracted 5,000 users in addition to an official online fan club site. That’s a lot of fleece.

Among the enthusiastic takers is my 10-year-old daughter, who went behind her green-leaning parents to ask a relative to buy her one for her birthday in the original royal blue.

She’s a big infomercial hound, my youngest, often repeating lines from the ads when we are out buying necessities for the house. “Mom, you should get the Ped Egg because it’s like having a professional spa treatment right in your own home,” she advises.

She had a fever over the weekend and taking away that Snuggie was harder than wrestling a cheese stick away from my pug. Pugs have little teeth, but they’ll take you down over cheese, and so will Lauren over a cheesy blanket.

“My friend Simon had one and I thought it would be warm for camp because I sleep right near the window,” says my daughter. “I also like it when I’m sick cause it makes me feel all snuggie.”

We don’t buy polyester bedding and we don’t want our kid dragging around a toxic security blanket. Yet burning it could create a micro Valdez. Which begs the question, how do you safely dispose of Mr. Snuggieâ„¢?

Because of the questionable chemicals in the fiber, I find it ironic how American Allstar Group’s publicity machine has tied in “the country’s favorite blanket with sleeves” with one of the country’s most pernicious diseases – breast cancer.

In May, they introduced the limited edition pink blanket for breast cancer. The company says it will donate $50,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation on behalf of the product.

I suppose the irony is that many of the questions posed to researchers at Cancer.Org relate to the link between toxins in textiles and breast cancer. One reader was wondering about her mother who had he worked at a chain of stores in which she cut cloth materials containing the kind of junk that is used to produce my daughter’s favorite throw.

If the Snuggie is such a mega hit and has made tons of dough for Allstar, why hasn’t an organic textile company made their own version of a healthy fleece blanket with sleeves?

“The Snuggie is a safe product, as it is approved and certified by all relevant industry standards,” I’m told by Anne Flynn, Director of Marketing at Allstar. “Snuggie is currently in the process of evaluating other materials, including natural, eco-friendly options, to meet consumer needs.”

Until we meet the eco Snuggie, the only newly unveiled additions introduced for the coming winter are styles for kids, dogs, a more plush version of the current design, and black and purple tie-dye fashions for the holidays.

I did find a few greener options, such as a Bear Adventure Warm Me Up made of recycled synthetics from Blankets and More (being introduced November 1st), and a cozy kimono for the preemie baby. There’s also the 85% recycled materials Peekaru, shown above (top left), for mom and baby.

Otherwise, the market is wide open for a healthier blanket with sleeves. My friends at Chia better get right on it!

This is the latest installment in Luanne’s column, Life in the Green Lane.

Images: Bread and Sham, All Left Turns, SFGate, MomLogic, Snuggieâ„¢ Fan Club

The post Snuggie: Wrap Yourself in the Toasty Toxic Warmth! appeared first on EcoSalon.

Here are some ripe picks from the groovy grape file:

Fruitful Folds: Designer Dror Benshetrit should take pride in his Peacock chair exhibited at the recent ICFF 2009 in New York. Designed for Cappellini, no weaving, sewing or upholstery glue was applied to the comfortable lounge seat with a price tag too high to mention on our site. Hey, that’s art, kids.

Berry Soft: Avalisa hand-tufted New Zealand wool rugs in animal and abstract patterns: Dog, Wonder and Deer. Available in three sizes.

Grape Explosion: Tree Bomb purple wallpaper from Ferm Living. $115 per roll.

Juicy gems: from VivaTerra, gorgeous tones in on-trend shapes and textures. $98-119.

Purple is the New Black: Nouveau Organic Duvet and Pillows from Pottery Barn Teen, $32-$119 in twin and Queen sizes.

Upcycled Mashup: From Etsy, this felted wool pillow was a 100% cashmere sweater in a former life. $35 for the cover.

The post Fall Color? Still Seeing Purple! appeared first on EcoSalon.