Conventional cabinets can be a significant source of VOCs in the kitchen, with all of the low and mid-range brands using particleboard, MDF, and/or HDF, at least in their lower-end lines.
Most finishes have noticeable (to me) off-gassing.
These are almost always made with formaldehyde, though options made with MDI glue do exist.
GreenGuard Gold
I don’t go by GreenGuard Gold for cabinets; it’s not the way that I differentiate between which ones are best in terms of off-gassing levels.
For example, most of the GreenGuard Gold cabinets that I’ve looked at use the typical MDF for the cabinet doors. And that’s almost always going to be higher in off-gassing than the materials that I’m talking about in this list.
So I am differentiating between companies by the materials that they use, since that is what dictates the off-gassing levels.
I’m also not convinced that there is a cabinet that doesn’t meet GreenGuard Gold.
Materials
Plywood is often better than particleboard for the boxes, but now more companies are offering formaldehyde-free plywood, which is the best material for the frame by far (along with more unusual options on my list like metal and solid wood).
The brands here are offering natural finishes, custom finishes, or specific factory-cured finishes, some of which I found to be almost no VOC.
(More common finishes do have some off-gassing, at a level that is higher than wall paint).
You may opt to finish them yourself with non-toxic sealers or non-toxic paint in some cases.
This article contains affiliate links, upon purchase I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Healthy Cabinet Brands – Listed by Material
1. Non-Toxic Metal Cabinet Brands
There are companies that make metal kitchen cabinets, and they can look quite cool.
When shopping for metal cabinets, you want to see if there are any non-metal components and what those are. The most ideal rubber for gaskets is silicone.
Fadior makes stainless steel cabinets. The cabinets are made of all stainless steel with aluminum reinforcements, no wood or PVC.
My book and course have more brands.
2. Healthy Solid Wood Cabinets
Healthy Cabinet Makers make solid wood cabinets aimed at the chemically sensitive.
It’s rare to find cabinets made out of solid wood, so I would certainly go with a company that has expertise with this type of construction. Even the boxes are solid wood.
Solid wood can be prone to warping in high humidity, and the way they are constructed matters.
This company also has a commitment to healthy finishes.
3. Low-VOC and Formaldehyde-Free Cabinets
This is the category that most chemically sensitive people end up going with.
One very popular brand is Crystal Cabinets.
They can use standard plywood or Purebond plywood (check to make sure they have the no added formaldehyde Purebond) for the boxes. They have an option for low-emitting finishes (you can special request a 0-VOC formaldehyde-free finish) or you can finish them yourself.
See my review of Crystal Cabinets here.
iii. Executive Cabinetry offers a choice between regular plywood and Purebond (no added formaldehyde plywood).
You can also have them finish them for you with the varnish of your choice (though that option is fairly expensive).
Non-toxic cabinet finishes are listed here, and non-toxic cabinet paints here.
This is often the top pick for many in the high-end green market.
There are eight more brands to consider that I outline in my book and course.
- PS: Here is a post on companies that make solid wood vanities. And here is a company making solid wood closets.
4. Simple DIY Cabinets
Custom cabinets are usually made by local craftsmen or local companies. This is usually the highest-end option. You can get custom cabinets in just about any style.
Crown Point, uses formaldehyde-free plywood for the boxes and can use solid wood for fronts. They even have experience painting cabinets with all-natural Milk Paint.
In generalm custom cabinets can be made with a combination of solid wood, plywood, Purebond (formaldehyde-free plywood), formaldehyde-free MDF, or formaldehyde-free particleboard.
Purebond plywood is made of “soy glue” which for some people is preferred over regular plywood. Not all chemically sensitive people do well with this but objectively it’s much better
Simple DIY Custom Cabinets
In my tiny house, we kept it really simple with basic cabinets made by my carpenter-builder.
My cabinets, pictured, are custom-made with solid wood on the doors/face. MgO was used for the boxes (a highly unusual choice!). IKEA ready-made metal drawers were used with MgO as the base of the drawer.
The wood did warp a little in my kitchen (this was poplar wood).
Drawers are usually solid wood in high-end cabinets but they can be made of mostly metal (which is what I did).
Some ideas to cut down on costs (while keeping the cabinets low in toxicity):
- Use shelves instead of upper cabinets – either wood, glass, or metal.
- Salvage cabinets and countertops from demolitions as they may have off-gassed or you may find metal ones.
- DIY simple open shelving below the counter made of solid wood, concrete, tadelakt, metal, or glass.
- Metal and glass cabinets you can custom make or make yourself – here is a description and instructions from Build a Healthy House. IKEA also offers some mostly glass options.
- Incorporate affordable metal drawers or shelves inside of cabinets (like my IKEA parts).
- Cabinets made entirely of formaldehyde-free plywood (see this video).
5. Non-Toxic Big Brand Cabinets
i. KraftMaid Cabinets (Lowes and Home Depot)
KraftMaid cabinets are a great mid-range semi-custom option.
They offer all plywood cabinet boxes as an upgrade. The shelves are also plywood.
The finishes are really excellent in terms of off-gassing.
More details on their materials in my book and course on healthy building.
KraftMaid cabinets cost you anywhere from $100 to $300 per linear square foot.
iii. IKEA Cabinets
IKEA is obviously a very affordable ready-to-assemble (RTA) option.
From IKEA, the lacquered VEDDINGE cabinets and melamine-faced cabinets are preferred because those finishes block some off-gassing.
The BODARP cabinet fronts and side panels are made of PET plastic wrapped around particleboard, which is also a great way to block off-gassing from the particleboard. PET generally does not have any off-gassing of its own.
More on that below.
Formaldehyde Levels in Big Box Store Cabinets
Many people are finding that since CARB II came into effect, which drastically reduced formaldehyde in nationwide brands, regular cabinets work fine for them.
You may want to compare some of the brands at IKEA and Home Depot. If you find GreenGuard Gold certification you know it’s extremely low formaldehyde.
With most particleboard and MDF, the main adhesive is formaldehyde. You can see the typical levels in the chart in this post.
I would avoid MDF and particleboard if you can (or if you are chemically sensitive), opting for brands that offer an upgrade to all plywood boxes and solid wood doors.
My second choice after that is a melamine or laminate finish which blocks most of the formaldehyde.
How to Block & Seal in Formaldehyde
In cabinets with a melamine or plastic laminate finish on the outside (like many IKEA cabinets) this does block most of the formaldehyde off-gassing.
If the edges are sealed in by the finish, that is even better.
If the edges are not sealed with melamine, the formaldehyde off-gassing from the edges can be sealed with AFM Safeseal or Zinsser Shellac. You should also seal up the unused shelving holes with shellac as well.
If you go with the lacquered finish you can seal the edges with Safeseal or Shellac.
Metal and Glass Cabinet Components from IKEA
The IKEA drawers have metal sides which is a great feature.
The fiberboard base can be swapped out for another material.
I used their metal drawers and metal corner cabinet shelving in my tiny house and put my own fronts on them.
You can really cut down on costs and toxin exposure but using many IKEA parts.
If you want to dig down deeper into materials – my post on Laminate, Melamine, and Thermafoil goes into more detail.
6. Plastic Kitchen Cabinets
Non-toxic outdoor kitchen cabinets can be made of polyethylene or metal.
The above cabinets are from Werever Outdoor Cabinets which are made from high-density polyethylene.
Folks who have not found a suitable material in the indoor options might use the outdoor styles inside.
You could, of course, use these outside as intended, as well.
One benefit here is you might find modular options in this category quickly and easily at big box stores.
One company, Reform, which makes doors and accessories to fit on the IKEA base cabinet frames, makes a solid polyethylene (HDPE) door line called MATCH. That would be an awesome option for many sensitive folks.
You would need to check out the above section on IKEA to see if the base cabinets could suit you.
Looking for healthy bathroom vanities (that don’t contain formaldehyde)? This post on solid wood vanities reviews the best brands.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
Join the top Substack on healing from MCS and mold!
Annie
Hi! My kitchen cabinets are old and dull and some have huge scrapes in them. After looking at the options, I’m thinking it will be better if we just refinish them ourselves. My issue is trying to find a non-toxic way to do that. Do you have any info on things we could use to do this? I think these are real wood doors. I’d like to avoid painting them if I could, but I’d need some kind of varnish and I’m worried I won’t find a no voc/ low voc one. Thanks so much for all the information you share!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
the main article on sealers goes through the options, some of the floor finishes can be used as well.
bev mangone
have a concern, Seems Forevermark cabinets is greenguard gold certified confirmed with UL website just today. Have you researched this company at all. I’ve contacted them and also Crystal. Greenguard gold certified in ommisions with formaldehyde levels can be up to 7.3 ppb with Forevermark Cabinets. Crystal used Purebond on boxes only unless you request for face cabinet in solid wood ommions up to 0.04 ppm. Forevermark cabintry is extremely lower in ommisions. Just wondering what your thougths were. thank you
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
I don’t go by GreenGuard Gold for cabinets as it’s not a good way in my opinion to differentiate between which ones are best in terms of off-gassing.
Crystal can use pure bond which isn’t made with a formaldehyde glue so the formaldehyde would just be naturally occurring in the wood and they also have a formaldehyde-free finish.
But you can’t compare the off-gassing levels from a paint or a plywood to green guard gold because they use different methods. I just added more of a paragraph about green guard gold in the beginning.
No cabinets with MDF in any significant amount make the requirements for my list.
Johannes Hatfield
Hi Corinne, hope you are well!
I am currently building a Tiny-house (prototype) and then a family house in Norway. I have spent hours and hours on research into safe solutions (thought about everything..). I am gravitating towards applying MgSo4 (CE-marked) for most of the interior wall and ceiling (+ pure untreated aspen wood, which is probably the least off-gassing sort out there). However, I am grappling with making a 100% VOC -free kitchen and wardrobes (so called low voc solutions often still contain plenty of chemicals…). In that regard, I was wondering what experience you have with applying MgO-boards for the boxes. Do they hold the screws etc?
Another unsolved potential issue is the application of air-tight tape (I will apply proclima Intello plus) and their tape. However, how much do the tape in reality off-gass after being taped? Does VOC leak notably even after being taped?
Another interesting option for bathrooms is tadelakt (0 chemicals), as well as pure silicate render from KEIM on the MgSo4. Insultation will be Isolena sheep’s wool (also as window filler).
Best wishes from Norway,
Larry Mann
Hello, enjoying your expertise info. I have a question for you there are 3 manufactures of Greenguard gold certified cabinet companies. Alice Cabinetry, FX Cabinets and Forevermark cabinets. What is your thoughts on these companies. I went to the UL site and its confirmed they are greenguard gold and on the whole cabinet including the finish. A few use sherwin williams paint. hope to hear back. Appreciate your time, Larry
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
Someone just asked about alice, I wouldn’t go with them. I don’t go by GreenGuard Gold for cabinets as it’s not a good way in my opinion to differentiate between which ones are best in terms of off-gassing.
L
@Larry, the 3 cabinet brands you mentioned appear to be manufactured by the same company in Thailand Magnolia Home Furnishing. I discovered this through a deep dive into their GGG certifications on UL Spot (several certifications are registered to a Chinese company called Baiyulan).
https://magnoliafinecabinetry.com/
deb silva
HI. Thnaks for all your suggestions you are amazing. I wanted you to know Executive doesnt do greenguard gold or any greenguard. I found a company that i dont think this is on your list Alice cabinetry they sell wholesale but have a new division for retail. All they sell is greenguard gold certified cabinets very nice to deal with.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
Thanks I wouldnt recommend an all MDF door/front cabinet for sensitive people. My list is all about avoiding that (which is hard to do). It also looks like it might just be their paint that is GGG, but even if it’s the whole thing, I doubt that any cabinet branmd could not qualify for GGG
kabinetry
Thank you for this valuable article! I love how you highlight eco-friendly choices in kitchen cabinetry. Here’s another related article on eco-friendly wood kitchen cabinets that readers may find helpful as well.
Rebecca Schneider
Hi. Can you tell me anything about the TSS products used in kitchen cabinetry?
We are considering using a nice TSS product made by Cleaf and manufactured by Canyon Creek Cabinet. It will be used in a small galley like kitchen in our second home in California. I would like to know how much out gassing occurs once installed. Thank you.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
it’s basically a thin laminate. I talk about off-gassing from laminate and melamine in an article
John Cassidi
Corinne,
We are getting made to measure solid wood wardrobes and kitchen due to my wife’s sensitivities. Our joiner advised Osmo wax/oil for all the kitchen units & wardrobes interiors. According to him, that is what he uses for the worktops due to being food safe so he thinks it is good for the interiors too. I saw in a different article that you didn’t recommend Osmo but I can´t find it now. Can I ask why? Does it contain PFAS or chemicals of concerns? Does it smell for long? My wife can´t cope with strong smells and she is getting anxious.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
solvents, search the website for OSMO in the top left
Alison
Hi Corinne,
We are remodeling our kitchen and are going with a cabinet maker who uses conversion varnish over solid wood and plywood with veneer. He says the varnish does not smell after 30 days. In your experience is this typical of conversion varnish?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
I wouldn’t use that
Allison Howard
Hi Corrine,
I am updating a closet in my daughters room to be a built in set of cabinets/drawers. The designer I found sells thermofloil or 3D laminate and pressed wood. I am wondering if you know any local (victoria BC) companies that install any of the more eco cabinet solutions youve noted such as plywood? The issue is we don’t have the skills to order and self install. Thanks!!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
There is an article on closets. I don’t recommend local installers.
Danya
Thank you so much for this article! I’m looking to add two cabinets to our laundry closet. Since I do not need a full kitchen or room, it’s hard to order from reputable sources since most require a full set. This leaves the obvious choice of IKEA and the like, but I want to avoid if possible. I found a company called
Amishwerk that makes ready to assemble cabinets from:
-¾” Maple Face Frame and Door (5 piece solid wood door frames and center panels)
– ½” Birch Plywood Box with UV Coated Natural Interior
Is it known if birch plywood is low VOC or do I need to ask something specific of the company? When I asked if the plywood was formaldehyde free their response was that it meets CARB2.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
make sure not urea formaldehyde
Rebecca Clark
I am interested in using melamine shelves that are part of the Elfa
system at The Container Store. Do you have any information on the VOC
level of this product?
Thank you
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
i have a post on melamine/laminate cabinet offgassing
Phyllis M.
Thank you so much for your wonderfully helpful research. Many years ago I was moved into an airtight new building for my job. It was before people began to learn about harmful chemicals in building materials. There is no doubt that the ceiling had formaldehyde insulation, and many other new materials such as carpeting, shelving and paint contained toxic materials. Many employes in that building became ill and had to leave their jobs, including me. After moving to a different house 3 times in two years, I was finally able to find a home that had not been renovated, allowing me to renovate it myself according to the information I had found about toxic home environments. After moving in, my husband and I both got sick after trying to clean old thick carpet ourselves. So we got rid of that and had hardwood floors installed and the remaining hardwoods already there sanded and sealed with a low VOC poly. I was lucky enough to find AFM products for sealing and low VOC free paint for painting which I only did in warm weather so could leave the windows open. We have now been fine in the house for 25 years. However, we are now getting older and I am finding it difficult to take care of everything. I have lot of rugs down to protect the wood floor but have longed to be able to get some kind of flooring that is easy care. So I would like to thank you again for all your work for people like me and have renewed hope that I can find a smaller(!) home and install easy care flooring. I also appreciate your paint recommendations as the paint I used is no longer low VOC. I wish you well –
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
Thank you Phyllis. yes a factory finished floor would definitely be easier and very long lasting.
Sireesha Garikepati
Thanks so much for this content!
Bertolini says they use a powder coating on their stainless steel kitchen cabinets, what should I know about the powder coating? Is it usually non-toxic? Thanks!
Corinne Segura
yes that will be fine
Alyssa Basile
Hi, I find your articles very helpful. I am considering using Healthy Cabinetmakers, but I cannot find any reviews of this company. Are you familiar with people using this company and being happy with them? Thank you.
Corinne
I don’t have a clear memory of anyone’s review of them. I would ask in the Facebook groups for MCS.
Karen Chute
Hi, I’m looking for something or somehow to off gas cabinets that were made by a company they’re all wood but the paint is very smelly. The wood is pure bond. Is there something I can do or used to get the smell gone in the kitchen so I can be able to use it please help
Corinne
see the articles on offgassing a new house and then the post on sealing in new offgassing.
New Kitchens
I appreciate discovering your article. What a fantastic article. All of the low and mid-range brands use particleboard or MDF at least in their lower-end lines, which formaldehyde, so I have to concede that conventional cabinets can be a major source of VOCs in the kitchen. Some cabinetmakers are now employing pressed wood products that don’t contain any additional formaldehyde, as was discussed in a previous piece. The alternative glues aren’t always superior in my opinion
Susan Gutfreund
Hi Corinne,
Thank you for this great site. We are hoping to redo our ancient kitchen and our contractor said he is about to demolish another kitchen that has high-end Italian cabinetry from Composit.it that he could forage for us. He said they use a safe particle board and the kitchen is two years old. Do you know anything about this brand? I just found the website. The website says: “Composit uses the Idroleb panel, the only panel made of 100% recycled wood and with nearly undetectable formaldehyde emissions.
Idroleb is a revolutionary …”
Would we be better off just getting one of Purebond Plywood products you recommend? It would be great to have pretty cabinets immediately available and at no cost but safety is my top concern. Also, I would love to consult with you if possible. Email consulting would work well for me. Much thanks, Susan
Corinne
I don’t know enough about that brand to comment
Jessica
Hi!
Is Fadior a known brand? I couldn’t find any reviews on them (other than on Alibaba) and their website is somewhat down. Do you know if they are legitimate?
Thanks!
Jessica
Corinne
They have been around for a while and I have spoken with them over email. I know a client did get a quote from them and said their English wasn’t strong. That’a about all I know.
Aaron Hunter
We are having custom wood cabinets built for our homes. What is a safe sealant for the cabinets to be applied?
Corinne
see the main post on sealers for clear and the post on cabinet paint for paint
Diana
Hi,
We are thinking of buying acrylic cabinets from Fabuwood line called Illume (blanco gloss to be exact). Are these considered toxic?
Corinne
The boxes are made from particle board so on par with IKEA
Jamie Smith
Would have loved to see the response here…
Tammy
Corinne, we bought a home that is 7 years with all the cabinets made with MDF and melamine . Sides that are not noticeable to the eye like shelves etc do not have the melamine on them, i know 100% I’m allergic to formaldehyde (after skin testing )years ago could this still be off gassing ? I’m getting headaches after 30 min but they also washed the floor tile with lemon pinesol that im trying to clean good any residue up ( Sensitive to perfume smells , pretty much all chemical smells .). I’m a little torn up on what to do …..should I try and use a sealant on all the drill holes in cabinets and the sides of MDF or add .melamine to the shelves all around them. 7 years to off seems like enough time off gassing but i still smell it inside the cabinets . Maybe just sealing of open edges of what I can would work , Thank you
Corinne
Usually what we don’t find in the studies is what timeframe a material is completely offgassed. (Seems strange not to study that, but it’s true). Also offgassing times vary a lot by the conditions: temp, humidity, air flow mainly. Inside the cabinets, there is almost no air flow so the formaldehyde gets reabsorbed.
Usually at 7 years even the most extremely sensitive can do well with Particleboard, MDF and HDF and would consider it offgassed. But because it’s inside a closed area the residual formaldehyde can linger. It’s not necessarily an amount that would still show up on a measurement. Also it’s difficult to measure the formaldehyde at these extremely low levels or when it is done offgassing because the wood itself naturally contains formaldehyde, and also the air indoor and outdoor everywhere contains formaldehyde.
When someone is this hypersensitive always look to mold as an underlying source as I found that has been the culprit in 100% of cases. The Gupta programme is also very helpful with hyperactivity, I no longer have MCS because of that.
BIANCA HUTTON
Hi Corinne,
Thank you for putting this guide together and for updating it regularly. I’m wondering if you could add Puustelli Miinus cabinetry to your list here? The cabinetry has been developed using biocomposite frames, real wood and technical veneer panels, no added formaldehyde and no toxic solvents. The cabinets have exceeded stringent third party M1 indoor air testing.
I’ve included two links here for further reference, and I’d be happy to share more information if needed.
https://puustelliusa.com/ecological-kitchen/
https://viewer.puustelli.com/puustelli-miinus/miinuskitchenusa/
Thank you for your consideration,
Bianca Hutton
Puustelli Kitchens
Corinne
what is a “bio composite” frame and what is “technical veneer panels”
Bianca
Hi Corinne, the biocomposite is a mixture of polypropylene and chemical pulp fiber, and is a water-resistant, non-toxic, ecological, modifiable and lasting material that can be reused or recycled. Puustelli uses biocomposite frames with real wood panels instead of the cabinetry “box” structure. Special veneer door panels (or technical veneers) are generally made from cultivated, fast-growing deciduous tree species to imitate popular wood looks such as oak or exotic wood patterns. Veneer surfaces can be varnished, oiled, stained or painting depending on the door model. All our surface treatments are non-toxic and cause no irritation.
Corinne
OK, so the frames are a composite of polypropylene and pulp.
– the boxes are solid wood?
-the doors are made of what? There is a veneer which is a thin wood sheet and that is glued onto what as a backing? MDF or particleboard?
Susan Z
Hi Corinne. We are replacing our kitchen after finding dangerous mold and I am doing my best to minimize toxins in our remodel (we have two small children).
We are leaning toward Kraftmaid. They appear to have a solid wood door option, but their All Plywood Upgrade does have MDF, as you suggested. I’ve asked for data sheets to confirm whether they are NAUF but haven’t heard back. Would you use shellac to seal off the MDF layer in the otherwise all plywood boxes?
And in terms of finishes, They say they use a catalyzed enamel paint and oven-cured, heat-activated topcoat. I’m assuming this involves conversion varnish? Would you recommend ordering unfinished and hiring a painter to paint with a low VOC paint? Or is there another alternative?
Very grateful for your guidance.
Corinne
The MDF can be sealed if it’s raw and where you don’t see it. The paint I talk about in the article.
michelle wallach
Hi Corinne
After doing my own research with my budget in mind I purchased all wood white RTA cabinets last June which were perfect until the rainy season started and the humidity evidently brought out toxic fumes. So far I have painted all the surfaces I can reach with shellac which helped, but not completely. Wish I had read your recommended list of safe cabinetry first. Live and learn.
Lisa
Questions about Kenyon Noble. Cabs.
Continental. Or CraftMark. See some plywood in them. But can’t find anymore.
info on them.
Rehabbing small cabin.
Thanks
Lisa
Corinne
there is a post about plywood that might help you compare specs.
Cynthia Belonick
Dear Lisa. thank you for all the information. I’m a newby to this field. but not a newby to cancer: I had breast cancer 7 years ago and lost a brother to leukemia from an exposure to benzenes. We’re redoing our kitchen that is currently not code compliant ,…. otherwise I would just repaint the existing laminate cabinets. My husband is enthralled with Wren, However its made of MDF and then wrapped in PVC!! I’m reading conflicting info on how long it takes to safely off gass PVC. Would you recommend buying the cabinets unfinished and finishing them ourselves ( violating the limited life time guarantee) or should we totally ditch this product? Finding an alternative that is safe and reasonable priced for our small kitchen is….daunting. Im almost willing to live with cabinets that are not code compliant. ….And my family is losing patience with me.. Please, advise:(
Corinne
If you’re going for a healthy kitchen, MDF wrapped in PVC is not the way to go (this is called thermafoil). If you need something very inexpensive I would go for the IKEA options I mention.
Sarah
This is an amazing blog, an amazing repository of information that Corrine has amassed over time with diligent research and a plethora of options. It’s so impressive. Very grateful…
Arlene
Are any cabinets that are manufactured in China safe? How can I check them out?
Thanks
Corinne
Most are made in the USA. Some of the metal ones are made in China and there isn’t much to check out there (very basic materials) but you can always ask for a sample.
Barter Design
Thank you for including selections from IKEA! I know it’s not the type that lasts long, but it’s a price point that I’m comfortable with.
hadi
I really like your take on the issue. I now have a clear idea on what this matter is all about.
17 Hmr Ammo
Great Article. I really like your blog. Keep sharing more. Its really the best article!
Jane Askin
Thank you so much for the effort this must have taken! I’m writing from the Caribbean, limited options unless we ship in. We do have pvc foam board though, which says non toxic but can’t find any specifics on formaldehyde/off gassing. Any thoughts? Thank you again.
Daniella
Hi:)
Thank you so much for your time posting this information. We actually contacted a company from your list. Is there any company here in naples FL that makes aluminum or steel cabinets ?? Any information is helpful. Thank you.
Jessie
Would AFM Safecoat seal in any potential leaching from Purebond?
Corinne
There isn’t much going on with Purebond if you are super sensitive to the soy or to the wood odor that is probably not the sealant to use.
Amanda Neal
We have to buy ‘affordable’ cabinets which means big box store kind like Kraftmaid, Diamond or American Woodmark. We are going to buy the all plywood option but if we get painted cabinets, which is what we really want, the center panel of the doors is MDF. I also noticed that all of these, including the wood stained cabinets have natural wood color laminate or veneer interiors even in the all plywood constructed boxes. So it seems unavoidable. Do you have any advice? What do you think about the MDF in the doors and the laminate or veneer on the interior of the cabinets? Thank goodness for your website and help through all of this.
Mia Evans
Thanks for pointing out that engineered wood products would be a good option for kitchens, because solid wood can warp in that kind of room. I will keep that in mind when I get cabinets made for my kitchen this year to add storage areas. I just have started collecting baking tools for a new hobby that I want to try, so I hope that I can hire professionals that I can trust as well.
Amanda Campbell
Hello, thank you so much for your work. You are making the world a healthier place! We are remodeling our kitchen and as I look at (big box store) cabinets that are upgraded to plywood they all seem to still have the Prop 65 warning. They ALL have it. I was wondering if this is just par for the course? Okay?
Corinne
Yes it’s either for wood dust or formaldehyde. Phenol formaldehyde in plywood offgases very fast. It becomes non detectable very soon.
Amanda Campbell
Okay, thank you! I was also noticing the three kitchen cabinets I am looking at all have KCMA certification. Maybe all companies have to have this now? Do you have any intel on the American Woodmark Cabinets? It sounds like if I get all plywood, with solid wood doors I should be doing pretty well? Will painted cabinets off gas quickly you think? I would love to donate to your work. I have found your pages to be so helpful as I remodel our kitchen. Please let me know how and thanks again for your work!
Corinne
Yes plywood and solid is the way to go. For the paint you will need to see samples.
Sheila
According to the Crystal website, their cabinets have “domestically sourced and CARB Phase 2 compliant box work materials.” They don’t mention the doors and drawer fronts, which are often made of MDF. I think that if their doors were CARB 2 compliant they would boast it, and not mention just the box. Also, I searched their website for “VOC” and “formaldehyde” and nothing came up.
Corinne
Every company is CARB 2 compliant on all of there plywood, MDF, HDF and particleboard. You can’t even find those product in Canada or the US at higher than CARB levels unless it’s some small item you bought overseas, even that is unusual. I would choose plywood boxes and solid wood doors in any company.
Tamra
Hi, Have you had any feed back on Barker cabinets? I see you have them listed here, but unsure of others experiences, ( or if still a recommendation ) I read some reviews on line . Looking for quality and being able to have a healthy kitchen. With Barker we could paint with AFM paint also. I believe they use Sherman Williams if you order pre painted so unsure how that is for off gassing. Barker is much cheaper than like Crystal cabinets. In comparison to Ikea ( wanting wood shaker white cabinets) Vs Barker which would you feel would be healthier for off gassing choice THANK YOU.
Corinne
barker’s standard paint is a conversion varnish, which I can pick of the offgassing of. I know Corbett Lundsford got barker cabinets, they mention it briefly in a video but you should always check for reviews.
Carolyn
Hi! Thanks. Do you have any info on countertops?
Corinne
https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/2021/02/a-non-toxic-kitchen.html
Mudita
Hi Corrine,
I can’t thank you enough for this amazing website and all the info you share. I’m currently building my first home and I’ve referred to your website a lot. I just wish you were in Australia where I am or there was an Australian equivalent. We have a lot less options especially in the “healthy” building products arena.
Could you please tell me more about your experience with MgO board for your kitchen cabinetry? Did you make the carcasses and draws from it? How is it holding up? Any other info you think to share.
There’s almost no healthy Ply options in Australia so I’d consider MgO board.
Thank you,
Mudita.
Corinne
Box sides and drawer bottoms were MgO it held up pretty well while I lived there but I don’t live there anymore.
McKenzie
I recently moved into a new house. The cabinet boxes are engineered wood and the cabinet doors are laminate covering particle board. When I open them there is a bitter smell and I’ve noticed my dishes smell like that now too. Could this be toxic?
Corinne
It’s likely that the boxes are also particleboard then. The smell is formaldehyde.
McKenzie
What is the best thing to do? I can smell it walking into the house.
Bonnie Horowitz
Wellborn cabinets? We have them in a new build second home and every time we arrive I have a sore throat and nasal drip for a few days from the wood cabinet smell. The house is very air tight – is it possible they are still off-gassing five years later?
Corinne
I don’t know what those are made of but yes it’s possible to pick up very low levels of offgassing 5 years later from some formaldehyde-based engineered wood products. I’m assuming you are chemically sensitive to be picking that up though. Cabinets struggle more than other furniture to offgas because they are almost always closed.
Julia
Hi Corinne! Thank you for these wonderful articles. Why do you prefer phenol-formaldehyde plywood over Purebond? I’m considering Kraftmaid (phenol-formaldehyde plywood) vs Crystal cabinets (Purebond plywood).
Corinne
Hi Julia, I changed that line slightly just now. I used to prefer it because it was just as good on offgassing for my sensitivities and Purebod was usually harder to get and more expensive. Now it’s easier to get and the price is only a little more. There are also sensitive folks who don’t do well with Purebond so it’s not sure bed. My stance right now is I would be fine with either one. Those super sensitive should test both.
Nellie
I have ordered Wickes Glenco white kitchen units – have I made a mistake? Are these units/doors low VOCs?
Thanks
Corinne
I haven’t reviewed that brand.
Izzy
What are your thoughts on Diamond cabinets? They are not low or VOC free but they comply with CARB phase II.
Corinne
I haven’t reviewed that brand.
Susan L Stillman
Are Wolf Designer cabinets low or no VOC? Thanks!
Corinne
It looks like they have plywood construction with solid wood fronts as an option so it’s similar to some of the options listed here. Check out the paints and finished too.
Marisa
Do you know of good options for replacing just the kitchen cabinet doors and not the entire cabinets?
isabel
Do high gloss flat kitchen cabinets (European style) off gas a lot? I read they are made of the mdf or acrylic sheet? Here is what they look like (just an example of the brand). https://www.fabuwood.com/post/high-gloss-kitchen-cabinets/
Elisa
Thank you for the wonderful article! We are planning to install some Ikea cabinets in our laundry room, and I’m struggling over which cabinet doors will off gas the least, and would love to get your opinion. I looked into solid wood, but they’re a little pricey, so I’m trying to to decide between doors with an MDF center panel (covered in veneer) with a solid wood outer frame (the back panel is veneer as well), and MDF doors that have been covered in melamine. Thank you!
Corinne
Particle board covered in Melamine or laminate on all sides is not too bad.
Robin Schwartz
Hi. I have read that aluminum is toxic. The IMD cabinets are made of aluminum. Can you explain why these are not toxic? Also, is stainless steel safer than aluminum?
Corinne
You would have to ingest or inhale the aluminum for it to be toxic, in solid form it is fine. Either metal is fine.
gail farrell
Any experience with Wood Crest cabinetry for Home Hardware???
Quinn
What are your thoughts about the KCMA’s Environmental Stewardship Program certification? My chemically-sensitive partner and I recently moved into a brand-new building (we’re the first tenants), and the kitchen and bathroom cabinets have the KCMA ESP stickers on them. Would we still want to apply AFM Safecoat? Could it be limited to the unfinished edges of the shelves, etc.?
Corinne
In terms of offgassing this certification doesn’t help, it only guaranteed CARB which almost all companies in the US will now meet. Here is more about CARB https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/2018/12/what-green-certifications-mean-for.html
Jessica
Hi! Wondering if you could tell me if the IKEA Veddinge cabinets need to be completely covered in the AFM safecoat? Or only exposed ends? Thank you!
Corinne
It depends on your sensitivities. I would go for IKEA melamine if quite sensitive. Cabinet post has more info.
Heather Tyson
I contacted Cabinets 2 go and they have said that they are CARB II compliant…do you think this is assurance enough that there will be minimal off-gassing? Thanks!
Corinne
Hi, this post and the one on pressed wood products (which is linked to in this post) goes into detail on CARB, other certifications for formaldehyde and how to asses that level. https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/2018/12/what-green-certifications-mean-for.html
Celina Burns
Are there any premade kitchen cabinets at Lowes or Home Depot that would be acceptable. What if I seal the inside boards with Kiltz 11, that’s what I did a few years ago. I painted the back of the ceiling blocks before we put them up. No one had a problem with outgassing. What would you do suggest?
Corinne
Yes I mention a couple brands here, I like using Zinsser shellac to seal, it works fairly well but it is shiny.
Amy Bevins
We have had a suggestions of making cabinets from sheets of HDPE. Thoughts on this? The contractor then offered to coat them with automobile paint to seal them. Again, thoughts on the safety of this option to seal them.
Corinne
The outdoor cabinets are made of PE. I would check those out first. I would not use automotive paint but if you have to seal in the plastic with another layer you could. At that level of sensitivity I would look at metal and glass though.
Diane
Do you have any experience with Woods cabinets 4 less? I seen on on Debra Lynn Dadds site she mentioned these in 2017?
Diane
what’s your experience in Crystal cabinets painted finish off gassing for chemically sensitive?
Corinne
The studies on plywood only say "rapidly approaches 0". Cabinets take longer because they are almost always closed. So that PF seems to just reabsorbed there inside though eventually it will come out. The outside of cabinets does seem to be quite quick to me. There are other glues and stains and laquers there though as well.
If it's a new build I would leave the cabinet doors open with ventilation in the house while all the finishing are going in.
SandiS
how quickly does the phenol formaldehyde offgas?