Top 4 Tips for Healthier Furniture Choices

As you know if you’ve been following along with our team here at Bartone, we are focused on so much more than creating spaces that are just visually beautiful; we want to create spaces that are holistically lifegiving. That is why we’ve shared solutions for replacing toxic home items with healthy alternatives. Unfortunately, so many of these toxins can go undetected in our homes without proper knowledge of what to look for when purchasing pieces.

Today, we are looking specifically at one toxic culprit in the home: furniture. Read below to find four key things to look for in the furniture you purchase for your home.

Free of Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde isn’t just found in jars in science classrooms. Often, the volatile organic compound (VOC) can be found in the binding glue of particle board and plywood furniture. As a VOC, formaldehyde can release harmful chemicals into the air that can cause respiratory disease, lung irritation, and potentially some forms of cancer.

Solution: The best way to avoid formaldehyde in furniture is to look for furniture with solid wood frames. Particularly when searching for a sofa or chairs, examine the piece and ask the seller if the frame is solid wood.

Avoid Flame Retardants

Flame retardants sound like a safety feature in furniture fabrics, but unfortunately, the chemicals used to prevent flammability are often more harmful than the potential for fire. Not only are many flame retardant chemicals known carcinogens, but they also can disrupt your endocrine system (affecting hormones).

Solution: Thankfully, there is now more accountability for furniture manufacturers to disclose when flame retardants have been included in furniture upholstery. Check tags in furniture and on cushions to see if flame retardant is present, and if it’s unclear, you can always contact the manufacturer directly.

Beware of Toxins in Mattresses

Yes, even your mattress can include harmful toxins like VOCs, flame retardants, and more. When considering the furniture for your home, be wary of mattresses and mattress toppers made of synthetic materials.

Solution: Find an organic mattress made of wool. These mattresses normally don’t contain flame retardant. But as always, if you have questions about the materials in the mattress, call the manufacturer directly. Some favorite organic mattresses include Avocado, PlushBeds, Eco Terra, and EcoCloud.

Seek out Natural Materials

As it’s probably become clear, so many of the products in our homes have the danger of releasing VOCs and other harmful chemicals. So when in doubt of what to buy for a healthier home, go with the real products. Handmade or organic furniture pieces made of real materials like wood, steel, cotton, wool, glass, etc. are always a safer bet for avoiding toxins.

Solution: Look closely at the material’s makeup. Avoid products that include high amounts of resin, glue, foam, polystyrene, synthetic latex, stains, PVC, etc.