My Chemical-Free House
A Guide to Creating a Healthy Home
California required flame retardants in the past In 1975, California enacted a furniture flammability standard called Technical Bulletin 117 (TB 117) which led to the use of chemical flame retardant chemicals in furniture and children’s product foam. (source) We now know that most of these flame retardants are harmful. Polyurethane foam products manufactured prior to 2005 are …
I tested and compared Pretty Frank with Native Sensitive (Baking Soda-Free) Deodorant Stick and Native original formula, (with baking soda and probiotics). I will compare them on effectiveness, smell, safety of ingredients, and cost. Summary: Comparison: Both are around the same cost, though with different active ingredients – baking soda & charcoal for Pretty Frank …
This is a complete list of all flooring types that have absolutely no formaldehyde, or have no added formaldehyde. Some materials like wood contain naturally occurring formaldehyde in low levels, so for each flooring type I have made it clear if it contains no formaldehyde at all or no added formaldehyde resins. I will also …
Wood gives off natural odorants including terpenes and formaldehyde (the full chemical breakdown can be found here) and some people are very sensitive to these odorants. It often does vary based on the species of wood; this article on low-odor woods looks at that. But some people are sensitive to all wood species. The age …
While stainless steel itself does not contain lead, stainless steel items can contain lead parts. It also leaches Nickel and Chromium. We will look at metal leaching from stainless steel, stainless steel items that contain lead parts, which cookware does leach lead, and the alternatives. What Stainless Steel is Made From The most common grade …
Synthetic rubber floors come in various types and thicknesses. They all have what I would consider fairly strong to very strong perceptible offgassing levels. Though this is not a flooring material I would use myself or recommend to any of my chemically sensitive clients, I will go over which types are the best choices. Because …
There are two main types of hardwood flooring, solid and engineered. Solid hardwood flooring is a solid plank of wood. Engineered wood contains real hardwood as the top layer and a core of another material. Usually, this is wood (plywood, fiberboard, or solid slats), but it can also be a core of plastic. Both are …
Air purifying paint is a new type of paint that claims it can absorb and/or break down volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the ambient air of the home. These paints can contain up to 10% sorbent material, like zeolite. This certainly reduces the odor of the paint while wet. Once the paint is cured, zeolite …
This is a two-year update review of the AquaGuard Renaissance Oak laminate flooring from Floor & Decor. Overall the flooring has held up very well to water, not so well to scratches. We also share the cost breakdown, installation errors and pros and cons. This is a non-sponsored first-hand review (and the product was not …
I tested out both Branch Basics Concentrate and Molly’s Suds Dish Soap plus Molly’s Suds All-Purpose Cleaner. Branch Basics Concentrate can be used as a dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, and even as a laundry soap. I will compare them on their ingredients, uses, effectiveness, cost, eco-friendly specs, and more. Overview: Comparison table: Branch Basics Concentrate …
I tested out both Seventh Generation and ECOS Dish Soap. I will compare them on their ingredients, scents, uses, effectiveness, cost, eco-friendly specs, and more. Comparison Overview: Comparison Table: Seventh Generation Dish Soap ECOS Dish Soap Cost $3.79 per 19 fl oz, and $8.19 for 50 fl oz at Target.That’s $0.16/fluid ounce for the refill …
Some things just go ’round and ’round the internet without having any original source or expert opinion. One of these internet myths is that beeswax candles create negative ions, which bind to particles of pollution, pollen, etc., and that this cleans the air. Many websites also talk about how beeswax candles don’t produce particulate pollution …
I tested out both Seventh Generation and Mrs. Myers Dish Soap. I will compare them on their ingredients, scents, uses, effectiveness, cost, eco-friendly specs, and more. Comparison Overview: Comparison Table: Seventh Generation Dish Soap Mrs. Myers Cost $3.79 per 19 fl oz, and $8.19 for 50 fl oz at Target. That’s $0.16/fluid ounce for the …
Vinyl sheet flooring (vinyl resilient flooring) and vinyl plank flooring – both luxury vinyl plank and regular glue-down vinyl plank have different toxicity profiles. 1. Vinyl Sheet/Resilient Flooring Vinyl sheet that comes in a roll is one of the highest odor flooring types in a home. Vinyl sheet flooring VOC odor is often noticeable even …
This is a detailed overview of Home Depot’s no-VOC and low-VOC paints. I explain which chemicals are banned by Home Depot and look at each 0-VOC paint to dig into its specs, certifications, and warnings. This article contains affiliate links, upon purchase I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Chemicals of …
Updated in 2026 This article is an investigation and review of non-toxic candles from Amazon. This is what I look for in a non-toxic candle: Lead-Free Wicks Lead wicks have been officially banned for sale and import in the United States since 2003 (source), but it’s possible you could still see leaded wicks in imported …
When building a non-toxic home it’s important to choose all materials for the individual. Especially if the homeowner is chemically sensitive, material choices will differ from person to person. In terms of the materials, I would definitely avoid in a non-toxic home, even for those who are not sensitive, see my article on the ten …
I have flown by airplane 13 times when severely or very chemically sensitive and mold sensitive. These are my tips for surviving a plane ride while environmentally sensitive. I’ve also taken another half dozen to a dozen flights while less sensitive. Chemical Sensitivities Obstacles Scents on board: For those with chemical sensitivities, you obviously will …
All Scotchgard coatings are now free of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) also known as “forever chemicals”. PFAS are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. They are highly persistent in the environment and there are mounting concerns about their safety. Scotchgard used to be …
I tested out both Branch Basics Concentrate and Force of Nature (I used a knockoff brand, but I will compare the specs of the real Force of Nature). I will compare them on their ingredients, uses, effectiveness, cost, eco-friendly specs, and more. Summary: Branch Basics Concentrate Force of Nature Cost $4.89 for 33 ounces of …
While all carpets from Home Depot would technically be considered non-toxic and low-VOC, in this article I’m looking at which Home Depot lines have the lowest perceptible VOC levels out of what they offer and would be considered ultra-low VOC in my books. These lines tend to be better for the chemically sensitive in my …
I tested out both Branch Basics Concentrate and Thieves Cleaner. I will compare them on their ingredients, cost, eco-friendly specs, and more. I prefer Branch Basics even though it’s about twice the cost of Thieves Cleaner because the ingredients are safer and “cleaner” based on Environmental Working Group (EWG) ratings. It’s also more versatile and …
What is Prop 65 Proposition 65 is a warning label for Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Any product that is sold in California will have this label even at retailers outside of California. The list contains naturally occurring and synthetic chemicals. It is updated yearly and …
I don’t know of any spray paints that are officially certified FDA food contact safe, though there is one that meets USDA requirements for incidental food contact, and there are two spray paints that meet Toy Safe EN-71 standards (which is an ingestion test for painted toys). I will also list some alternatives and sealers …
