Today, you can buy almost any product that is originally made from plants with an organic label. You can find generic or designer organic clothing, organic mattresses, or for about four dollars a roll you can even buy organic cotton toilet paper for your household! If you’re new to the world of organic you may be wondering, why buy anything organic other than food? In truth, there are some very good reasons to buy organic non-food items, but buying some products in this category simply do not justify the expense for persons on a budget. Here’s an objective look at which organic living products are worth your consideration.

Organic Bedding: Especially for Baby
You may not be aware of it but the mattress and pillow top you’re sleeping on is likely full of flame-retardants and toxic chemicals, like PBDEs, that have actually been outlawed in Europe. The chemicals in bedding slowly evaporate even under normal conditions, a process known as off gassing. Exposure to the off gassing toxins found in conventional American mattresses has made many individuals sick, especially those with allergies or sensitive skin. Additionally, there are several new studies that link the toxins in bedding to cancer, SIDS, still-births, birth defects, and a whole host of other life-threatening illnesses.

So why are these chemicals in our mattresses? The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) requires all mattresses to meet fire safety standards to keep consumers protected in the event of a fire. This is a very good idea, however the toxic flame-retardants used by most manufacturers are simply the cheapest way to meet fire safety standards. Wool is non-toxic and has natural flame-retardant abilities - so much so that manufacturers can interweave their mattresses with wool to meet and exceed all of the CPSC’s safety requirements.

Some of the most notable manufacturers of organic bedding include Savvy Rest and Pure Rest. Each makes inner spring mattresses, mattresses out of natural rubber that feel like memory foam mattresses, and crib mattresses for babies. All meet fire safety standards. These organic mattresses make an especially good choice for babies, since the chemicals in non-organic mattresses have been linked to SIDS. The main downside to these mattresses is their cost; however, their price is typically not that much greater than name brand mattresses.

Organic Clothing
Organic clothing is made with organic cotton, hemp, or other non-synthetic fibers. Organic clothing promotes eco-friendly manufacturing processes and sustainable agriculture. However, as far as benefits for your health, organic clothing falls short. There is really not much difference between a 100 percent cotton shirt and a 100 percent organic cotton shirt - both are made with natural fibers and contain no chemicals. A few individuals with extremely sensitive skin report having less irritation with organic clothing, but experts say this is most likely because most organic clothing does not contain dyes either.

Organic clothing also costs more, so if you can afford it buying organic clothing is a great way to help the environment. However, if you’re on a budget, then clothing made with 100 percent natural fibers and that is made without dyes should suit you just fine.

Organic Toiletries
You will often find mouthwash, toothpaste, perfumes, and deodorants with labels that say they contain a certain percentage of organic ingredients. These products cannot be totally organic, because they must contain some synthetic ingredients in order to be effective or act as an antiseptic.

In general, experts agree that buying organic toiletries are worth your money. Most non-organic toiletries are almost completely synthetic and usually contain some harsh chemicals. Organic toiletries are especially beneficial for those with allergies or sensitive skin and infants and children.