My Chemical-Free House
A Guide to Creating a Healthy Home
You don’t have to use a detergent marketed towards babies for your little ones’ clothes and diapers. However, you do want to use a gentle formula free of common allergens. These are the purest and cleanest formulas out there. This list includes non-toxic detergents specifically for babies’ clothes and ones that the whole family can …
There are not many options for a truly non-toxic recliner. Only one company makes one with materials that go above and beyond the conventional polyurethane and polyester materials. I then follow with the “next best” options, these are at least free of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS), the “forever chemicals” used in stain guard treatments. …
When choosing a rug for a nursery I would go further into non-toxic credentials than I would for a rug for adults. The top priority chemicals to avoid would be PFAS/PFCS (Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances aka “Forever Chemicals”) and permethrin mothproofing on wool. It’s ideal if a company holds a certification like GOTS or OEKO-TEX …
These are the most affordable non-toxic mattresses. Made from natural organic materials, natural latex, or low-VOC foam, these mattresses come in under $1000 which is a really good price these days. Materials I consider to be non-toxic: 1. The Futon Shop Foam-Free The Futon Shop has a good variety of very affordable mattresses. You can choose …
These bath mats are made from the safest plastics. They are all PVC (polyvinyl chloride)-free, as PVC mats tend to have a high offgassing odor. If you are extremely sensitive to plastic you may find all the mats do need some time to offgas after they come out of the package. Any flexible plastic needs …
IKEA tends to be best in class when it comes to non-toxic materials. They use the lowest off-gassing materials that are available at the time. Many of their beds below are made from metal or solid wood that don’t off-gas at all. My least favorite IKEA options are made from particleboard or fiberboard as those …
This is a complete list of eco-friendly non-toxic sofa brands. Non-Toxic Sofas and Couches – What to Look For: Is polyester toxic? Personally, I do use polyester, even when I was very chemically sensitive. I would not likely go with a natural fabric on a sofa due to durability issues (though there are many natural …
This is a non-sponsored non-affiliate review of Kahrs Oak Lecco flooring. This engineered wood flooring has a real oak wear layer and a solid slat substrate. This finish is the mat lacquer. Kahrs describes it as “the subtle finish of our matt lacquer produces a bare wood look. Matt lacquer is as hardwearing and easy …
Essential oils can be used to kill bacteria, mold, and odors caused by those microbes and they can break down synthetic fragrance. When companies claim that their essential oils “purify the air”, they do this only in very specific ways and under specific circumstances. They are (from what I have seen) referring to oils that …
It’s tough for scent-sensitive folks when their washing machine becomes fragranced due to someone washing fragranced clothes or using fragranced detergent in their washing machine. The dryer can also become scented in the same way. Most people are able to successfully remove the fragrance, which is good news. Main Strategies Surprisingly, the main strategies to …
The foundation may seem like a simple or straightforward part of a build. In reality, there are many key areas of concern here when building a mold preventative build. There are also many smaller materials that the chemically sensitive will want to be aware of in order to specify the best ones. If you want …
There are two main roofing materials that are used by chemically sensitive folks or those avoiding toxins – asphalt shingles or standing seam metal roofs. The most extremely sensitive will go with metal. We also need to consider the underlayment and sealants used. Some of the traditional sealants can be toxic and potent so be …
While all Home Depot flooring would technically be considered non-toxic, this article looks at the very best of the Home Depot brands – the ones that have no offgassing or ultra-low offgassing of VOCs (volatile organic compounds). These brands are more likely to be good for chemically sensitive folks. 1. Engineered Wood When it comes …
Before getting an air purifier for a basement, especially if it has a musty smell, be sure to correct the source of the odor. Then we can employ air purifiers that work best on mold – photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), HEPA, and even an ionizer. You may also choose to fog essential oils after remediation but …
It’s a bummer when you have to compromise on performance when using non-toxic products. However, when it comes to carpet and rug spot cleaners and deodorizers there are some good options that are “clean” and work. First, keep the instructions for your particular carpet/rug handy. They may mention everyday items that can clean stains. Then …
I interviewed Meg about her experience with Forbo Marmoleum Cinch Loc Seal, Forbo’s newest version of their click-together Marmoleum. They claim it is waterproof and also made without a formaldehyde binder. It’s a floating floor so no glue is used to install it. At the time of the interview, Meg has had the floor installed …
You can seal in the “new carpet odor” (volatile organic compounds – VOCs) of the carpet with the AFM carpet sealing system. This system effectively blocks about 60-80% of the new carpet off-gassing for up to five cleanings or one year. The products themselves are 0-VOC and fragrance-free (including no essential oils) and were formulated …
According to SGS, multiple states will have proposed or passed bills banning per-fluoroalkyl or poly-fluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) in the sales and distribution of carpets, rugs, fabric treatments, upholstered furniture, or textile furnishings. But which of these bills actually got passed and signed by the governor, and when will the ban take effect? Minnesota In Minnesota, …
Cigarette smoke contains greasy tar residue and although the odor can be strong and pervasive there are many effective strategies to get rid of it. 1. Vinegar and Lemon Vinegar and lemon or vinegar alone can help neutralize smoke and nicotine. Alkaline cleaning products will not remove nicotine residue. Acidic cleaning products work best for …
The Loom Hooked Eco Cotton Rugs are hand woven from recycled cotton fiber. They don’t use latex backing found on all other hooked rugs. Though most people do pare it with a natural latex backing. It’s made from 85% cotton; 12% polyester; 3% other. It’s hand-woven in India. They also offer GOTS-certified cotton rugs and …
Unfortunately, lead is common in hardware including knobs, pulls, and door knobs. Based on testing from Tamara Rubin, we have learned that so many knob materials contain lead that it’s impossible to make generalizations about which metals will be lead-free. However, through her testing, through the reputation of a few select companies, and with a …
This is a step-by-step method to remove Nature’s Miracle smell. You don’t need to go through every step, just go as far as needed until you are happy with the results. The smell seams to be stemming either from the incomplete breakdown of urine/blood/vomit and/or from the fragrance added to the product. Step 1 Break …
Oils labeled as “teak oil” or “Danish oil” from hardware stores are usually a mix of oils like linseed and tung, solvents, and possibly resins, UV inhibitors, and mildewcides. Tung oil is usually mixed with mineral spirits, odorless mineral spirits, or citrus solvent. Linseed oil can come in formulas free of solvents, like polymerized linseed …
How long volatile organic compounds (VOCs) last after painting primarily depends on which type of paint you used. Oil-based solvent-based paints are drastically different from the best zero-VOC water-based paint. It also depends on your humidity, temperature, and ventilation. We lack independent studies looking at the off-gassing of each main paint type but we do …
