My Chemical-Free House

A Guide to Creating a Healthy Home

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Non-Toxic Closet & Shelving Systems

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Non-toxic healthy closet, storage, and organization systems should be made of materials that do not offgas VOCs or are extremely low in VOCs.

The following options can be considered for the chemically sensitive or those avoiding toxins for health reasons.

This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Solid Wood Closets and Shelving

Most closet systems are made with engineered wood. Lundia USA is one company that makes beautiful solid wood closet systems.

The framing, drawers, and shelves are all solid pine. These are not just for bedroom closets – they make systems that work well for any kind of storage shelving area.

When using solid wood don’t forget to consider the wood glues used and the paint or finish.

If you would like to block the natural odorants of pine you can paint it and/or coat it with shellac. The safest wood glues are listed here.

Metal Shelving Organizer Systems

Metal closet systems are certainly the most inert material on the list as it has no natural or chemical offgassing at all.

Metal that is powder coated or coated with an epoxy paint is usually totally cured by the time it gets to you so there usually isn’t any offgassing of VOCs at all.

The type to avoid is metal racking that is coated in PVC vinyl.

For simple systems that are going to be safe and healthy for just about everyone, metal is often the way to go.

Many companies make safe metal closet systems that have framing, shelves, and pull-out baskets/drawers made of wire or mesh metal.

The brand pictured is Rubbermaid.

Walmart has a great selection of inert metal closet systems.

Similar metal systems include: the Elfa system from The Container Store, and IKEA systems like the JONAXEL.

Plastic Shelving Systems

There are a number of polypropylene-based shelving systems available on Amazon and in other stores.

Polypropylene is one of the safest plastics, especially if you are not heating it up or eating off of it. It generally does not offgas VOCs and it doesn’t contain BPA or phthalates and so it is safe, at least for non-food usage.

If you want a simple closet system, plastic is not a bad way to go. The one pictured is around $100 on Amazon.

You can also find these modular boxes in clear, white, and other colors. It can come in under $30 for 6 boxes.

Plywood-Based Closets and Shelving

After solid wood, plywood is the next safest wood product to build a closet or shelving system out of.

Columbia Forest Products Purebond Plywood is made without any formaldehyde adhesives and some sensitive people prefer this type.

You could make the closet yourself, have a carpenter custom build one, or go with a company like Southern Stone Cabinets that uses Purebond Plywood as an option for their closets.

I also think that regular plywood made with phenol-formaldehyde is very fast to offgas to undetectable levels and that will also work for many people. It’s certainly far healthier than particleboard, HDF, or MDF which have higher levels of formaldehyde.

A lot of furniture plywood comes prefinished with a UV cured water-based polyurethane finish, which doesn’t have any offgassing. But if you wanted to finish it yourself, you can check out the posts on healthy sealers and healthy paints.

PS. Cedar blocks are a non-toxic moth repellant for closets

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

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Choosing a Non-Toxic Vinyl Plank Floor

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Vinyl Plank, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP), and Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) are very low in VOCs and offgassing.

Most people find it odorless, but those like me with a high sense of smell can certainly pick up the offgassing.

I pick up the chemical odor off every brand I have sampled (they are all very similar) and I do have concerns about plasticizers (which all brands contain) and small amounts of metals, explained further in the article.

Most of it is phthalate-free now – though phthalates were replaced with alternate plasticizers. The most common plasticizer used now is DOTP.

Whether vinyl plank should be considered toxic depends on your threshold for toxins in the home and our knowledge is also limited by the current research and understanding of the new plasticizers – which we will discuss.

There is a huge difference between vinyl plank and sheet vinyl flooring. Sheet vinyl, the very flexible kind that comes in large rolls is way higher in offgassing. It’s one of the top products to avoid in a healthy home in my opinion.

Vinyl plank comes in two main types: resilient vinyl plank and luxury vinyl plank.

This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The top sample is a vinyl plank (glue down) and the bottom three are luxury vinyl planks which click together

Vinyl Plank (as Opposed to Luxury Vinyl Plank)

Vinyl plank or resilient vinyl plank is a much thinner product than a luxury vinyl plank. It’s more flexible than luxury vinyl plank (but not as flexible as vinyl that comes in a roll) and is installed by a glue-down method.

This type of vinyl has less offgassing of VOCs compared to LVP in my estimation, this is only due to the fact that there is less of it! I would certainly consider this an ultra love VOC product. But you do have to consider the glues used as a source of offgassing (at least until it’s fully cured).

I have seen some vinyl plank that still has phthalates, so be sure to check to make sure it’s phthalate-free and made of virgin vinyl.

The ones pictured below are Shaw brand 6 mil Resilient Vinyl plank Flooring. It’s 5/64 inches thick. It’s free of phthalates.

I have also seen Armstrong “Good” line which is similar.

You will have to check which glues the brand recommends and will warranty it with but most of them are zero VOC when cured.

An example of vinyl plank

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) (and Luxury Vinyl Tile)

This type of vinyl plank is thicker, more rigid, has multiple layers, and is click together.

It has a core (SPC or WPC), a vinyl wear layer, and often has an underlayment attached as well.

This multilayer rigid core vinyl used to be called EVP – engineered vinyl plank, (though most of the information online is incorrect regarding the definition of EVP). Don’t worry, because this term is almost never used anymore.

LVP and LVT (luxury vinyl tile) are the same product, the only difference is that LVP looks like wood and LVT looks like tile or stone.

Let’s look at the chemical composition of the materials.

SPC Core Vinyl Floors

Most of the luxury vinyl plank (LVP) click-together flooring has an SPC (stone polymer composite) core. This is a mix of limestone, PVC, and plasticizer.

It’s low in offgassing due to the high amount of limestone – it’s usually 60-80% limestone and the rest is PVC and plasticizer with no foaming agent. Look out for companies that call this a “limestone core” without mentioning the PVC/vinyl content (it’s still there).

It also contains some minor stabilizers and pigments (Pharos).

It is grey in color, very dense and rigid, and looks like the middle layer in these photos:

These floors all have a SPC core. The top sample is hybrid (wood wear layer, SPC core), the bottom two have vinyl wear layers and SPC cores

WPC Core Vinyl Floors

Only a few brands have WPC (wood plastic composite) – they were originally made with real wood or cork dust but now most of them don’t contain plant-based fibers.

The WPC core is usually made from PVC, limestone, plasticizers, a foaming agent (like formamide), and wood-like or wood materials such as wood flour. Wood-like plasticizers can be used instead of the wood fiber.

The primary difference between most WPC and SPC core floors is that WPC contains a lighter extruded or foamed plastic core, while SPC contains a solid denser core with more limestone.

The Cali Vinyl Plus pictured below has a true WPC core that they call BPC (bamboo plastic composite) which is made with bamboo fibers.

I generally find SPC to be a little bit lower in odor and offgassing than WPC, but it’s been variable.

Formamide comes with a Prop 65 label warning.

WPC is beige or yellow in color, less dense than SPC, and looks like this:

LVP with a WPC core (Cali Vinyl Plus and Montserrat Click Lock)

Underlayment of LVT

The underlayment is usually an integrated plastic layer, though some brands, like Coretec, have cork attached.

The cork adds significant offgassing in my opinion, however, it is going to be almost entirely blocked by the click-together system. (But for those extremely sensitive the offgassing from the cork gets into the other layers during storage, production, transportation).

I personally avoid the brands with cork underlayment due to the unnecessary addition of VOCs, plus you are adding an organic material that is not mold proof in the way vinyl is.

The foam underlayments are usually made from IXPE or EVA foam, though some of them smell a lot more like rubber to me.

Many of the brands have such a thin attached underlayment that you still need to add one, so those don’t add much value. Check the warranty though, as some brands require an additional underlayment and for other brands adding an additional underlayment will void the warranty.

Brands like Cali Bamboo have a thick and cushiony underlayment (and you don’t have to add another one).

The underlayment often contains antimicrobials.

Wear Layer of Vinyl Floors

I have not found the thickness of the wear layer to affect the offgassing, though it’s possible that there is a minor difference there.

The wear layer is vinyl without the wood or limestone.

If you want the floor to last you want to go with the thicker wear layer. Some brands include the black layer (see photos above) that comes right after the top layer as part of the “wear layer”, but that will show as black marks if the top layer wears down! You want to look at the wear layer as the layer that has the integral wood or stone look color and design.

The top coating is a polyurethane with aluminum oxide cured under UV lights (so there is no offgassing there).

The wear layer can contain antimicrobials.

Should you Consider Vinyl as a Safe Flooring Choice?

These floors can be considered by anyone in the mild to moderately chemically sensitive category.

Plasticizers are also less of a concern for older folks than those more susceptible to hormone-disrupting chemicals.

Those who are super sensitive to wood odorants might consider LVP as the next choice after ruling out solid wood, engineered wood, tile, and polished concrete.

The VOCs are very low but it’s not zero-VOC or odor-free and the plasticizers are for me still an “unknown” factor in terms of safety and health.

All LVP (and LVT) brands are very similar, there are only four main differences outlined below:

FOUR Things to Ask (when choosing LVP floors)

  1. Double-check to make sure it’s virgin (not recycled vinyl)
  2. Look for phthalate-free (bio-based plasticizers are the best)
  3. You might have a preference for SPC over WPC
  4. Check the underlayment, you may choose to avoid cork

Healthiest (Safer) Brands of Vinyl Plank

  • Virgin vinyl
  • Phthalate-free
  • Made in America
  • Starting at $2.81 /sqft
  • Virgin vinyl
  • Phthalate-free
  • Thatcher and Franklin are SPC core
  • Made in America
  • Dodford $2.75, Thatcher & Franklin $4.59 /sqft
  • Virgin vinyl
  • Phthalate-free
  • SPC core
  • Made in America
  • $5.87 /sqft

Home Depot Brands

Out of the Home Depot brands they all have low offgassing as well but are not always good quality in terms of the thickness of the floor and thickness of the wear layer. Traffic Master, Lifeproof (underlayment odor was strong to me), Home Decorators are all very similar.

All of the Home Depot brands are phthalate-free.

Phthalate-Free Vinyl Flooring and Replacement Plasticizers 

Phthalate-free brands are preferable – which most are now. Phthalates are known to be toxic, they have a host of known health problems and they leach quite a bit from floors.

All brands sold at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Lumber Liquidators are phthalate-free. Almost all other brands are now too.

If phthalates (also known as ortho-phthalates) are not used, other plasticizers will be used instead.

Replacement plasticizers include DOTP (also called DEHT) which is the main one used right now, this is used in the vast majority of brands.

Based on what we know about DOTP it doesn’t have any known endocrine disruption effects like phthalates do. They also claim that it is more stable in the material and doesn’t leach as much as phthalates. DOTP makes up 8-23% of the product.

The Ecology Center cites concerns that plasticizers can still leach even if not as much as phthalates and they caution against replacement chemicals that are of similar chemical composition. We usually find that in time, with more studies, we find out more about the health impacts. They conclude that we do not yet know the full health effects of this plasticizer and have doubts that it is not in fact an endocrine disrupter.

I believe that it is currently difficult to say if the current plasticizers like DOTP, and therefore LVP floors as a whole, are non-toxic.

Other Plasticizers Used

Some may contain benzoate ester (Source), I have seen tributyl citrate listed once (source).

Companies like Cali Bamboo use bio-based plasticizers, which should mean it’s either Grindsted Soft-n-Safe (made by Danisco/DuPont) or Polysorb ID 37 (made by Roquette).

According to HBN these are well studied and are believed to be the least toxic of the six non-phthalate plasticizers. This is why Cali LVP is my top brand pick.

Toxic Metals in Vinyl Flooring

Organotins (a form of tin) can be used in the top layer. Antimicrobials can be used, usually in the underlayment. I have seen various types, including silver.

EHN found the heavy metal cadmium recently in vinyl floors (probably recycled ones, they say).

It’s important to avoid recycled vinyl.

Lumber Liquidators and Floor & Decor banned recycled vinyl to avoid the associated toxic contaminants like metals and halogenated flame retardants. Most other brands are virgin vinyl now.

Lead, cadmium, chromium, and mercury can be present and are only officially limited (not banned), as far as I have seen, by Floor and Decor.

Though antimony, bromine, and lead have been virtually eliminated according to the latest study.

Offgassing of VOCs in Vinyl Flooring

Sheet vinyl is higher offgassing than LVP. Sheet vinyl is in the 0.5 – 5 mg/m3 total VOC range, whereas vinyl click will be less than 0.5 mg/m3. (And it’s actually much less than 0.5mg/m3).

The offgassing is less of a concern to me than plasticizers (semi-VOCs) which are a longer-lasting and more of a concerning class of chemicals.

How long does LVP/LVT take to Offgas?

In absence of studies that indicate when the flooring product is completely offgassed, we have to judge based on our senses. A few months will get the product most of the way there. When I have seen LVP in buildings that are a couple of years old I cannot pick up any offgassing at all.

Sealing in the VOCs and Semi-VOCs in Vinyl Flooring

You can seal in any odors as well as most of the plasticizer leaching with shellac. I have tested shellac on various types of vinyl flooring. It has worked well on all the types that I have tried it on from sheet vinyl to a thick rigid LVP.

The downside is that shellac adds a shiny and less durable (to water) coating on the floor, which takes away from the more realistic wood/stone look and can show damage more easily.

You can remove the shellac later with alcohol (I used hand sanitizer), but the downside is that if you seal an LVP flooring that is click together it’s difficult or nearly impossible to remove all of the shellac perfectly from within the grooves.

Formaldehyde-Free LVP Flooring

No brand of LVP/LVT or vinyl plank adds formaldehyde. Any brand advertising as formaldehyde-free is only stating the obvious which can in some cases be considered an inaccurate insinuation that other brands are adding formaldehyde.

Greenguard or Floorscore Brands of Vinyl Plank (LVP)

The VOCs are so low in vinyl plank that they are far below any threshold of the green certifications. No brand is going to be above Greenguard gold levels – therefore whether it’s certified or not does not matter.

Floorscore to me is a particularly useless certification but definitely doesn’t help differentiate between vinyl plank brands.

None of the certifications are including the measurement of plasticizers, which is my main concern with vinyl plank flooring.

Is it Waterproof and Mold Preventative?

The Locking System

The thinner LVPs don’t have a very good locking mechanism, it’s more like “set together”. So that isn’t going to hold up well to water. If the product has a really good locking system and it’s installed in a way that it’s not pulling apart or separating then this can be quite waterproof. How waterproof it is also depends on how long the water is sitting on it.

Contractors recommend starting at 5 mm total thickness for a good locking system.

The Vapor Barrier

Another factor to consider is that most brands of luxury vinyl plank and tile require an additional underlayment that is also a vapor barrier under the vinyl. This means that if water gets between the two layers then it cannot dry out.

Is it Mold Preventative in a Bathroom?

This is often recommended as a floor for a bathroom and for a basement.

I have lived in a couple of apartments with vinyl in the bathroom, one was glue down vinyl plank and one had a floating luxury vinyl plank. Both had areas where the seams were not tight and so there is no way I believe this was waterproof. I also wondered about the edges, especially if the baseboard is not caulked to the floor.

Is it Mold Preventative in a Basement?

Though LVP is recommended for basement floors because it’s quite resistant to mold I have a different view on the topic.

Blocking moisture in the slab in my experience is a bad idea. The slab is always trying to dry to the inside as it’s the only way it can dry and it’s often getting wet from the outside/underneath. Any material that blocks moisture can and often does cause mold to grow under the area that is being blocked.

Cheryl Ciecko, mold preventative architect, has described this situation well. And as an extremely mold-sensitive person myself, I know that this is frequently a problem in slabs. Therefore I only recommend a breathable floor covering on slab foundations and in basements.

Polished concrete or tiles with a breathable grout are best.

The Healthiest Alternatives to Vinyl Plank Flooring

Hybrid Flooring

Hybrid flooring has an SPC core and a real hardwood wear layer.

This has less offgassing in my estimation than LVP, it gives you the feel of real wood on top, and I would expect that the real wood would block all or most of the plasticizers from leaching out (it also avoids having plasticizer as the top layer).

My top pick is Cali Bamboo Geowood because they use bio-based plasticizers but there are two other brands to check out in the main flooring post.

Vinyl with a Concrete Based Core

Another twist on vinyl floors is X-core Connect by Mats inc. This flooring has a vinyl top layer but the center is a concrete-based material. I have seen samples of this and in terms of health and offgassing, I definitely thought it was an improvement over regular vinyl floors.

Engineered Wood

Most engineered wood is no-VOC. Look for brands with a plywood or solid slat core. The UV cure polyurethane finishes are also zero-VOC.

Some brands have an oil-based finish and that is not bad either (ultra-low VOC).

Avoid brands with an HDF or MDF core. See the post on engineered wood floors to see the different types and brands.

Polyurethane Sheet Flooring

If you want glue-down planks or larger areas of sheet flooring, polyurethane is much safer than vinyl rolls. The brand picture is Wineo. It barely has any offgassing and doesn’t contain plasticizers.

I talk about it more in the post on RV flooring.

Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is not zero-VOC but it is another option to consider that is very low-VOC.

My top brand is definitely Amorim Wise as it’s far lower offgassing than any other brand I have seen (most of them are actually high in offgassing).

They claim it’s waterproof but I personally would not bank on that.

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

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Non-Toxic (Low VOC) Sealants for Marble, Granite, Limestone

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This is a post just for sealing light-colored marble, light granites, limestone, and other light-colored cool-tone stones.

My post on all-natural oil-based sealers for stones focuses on walnut and other non-toxic oils that work best on dark-colored, medium-tone (or beige-toned) stones since they do darken and yellow the stones slightly.

There is no 100% natural, 100% toxin-free, or zero-VOC sealer for white and light-colored stones. This should be considered early on if it’s a new build for someone chemically sensitive.

Light-colored stones are also much more likely to be porous compared to some darker-colored stones that can be naturally dense enough to not require a sealant.

Manufacturers of natural stone countertops usually recommend a penetrating or impregnating sealant every few years (depending on the type of stone, the use etc).

These sealants do not fully disclose their ingredients, but I have dug into the literature to see what is likely in them.

These three sealers are ones I have tested, researched, and compared, and are the safest, lowest offgassing options out there right now.

This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

1. Sealer’s Choice Gold

Aqua Mix Sealer’s Choice Gold by Custom Building Products is a water-based sealant for natural stone. It’s low odor, low VOC and has been a favorite among the chemically sensitive.

What are the Ingredients

These types of sealants commonly contain proprietary fluoropolymers as the main technology along with alcohols and ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether. More on those ingredients below.

Microban was Added…

This product hasn’t always had Microban – that was added more recently. The company would not disclose which chemical Microban refers to in this instance, but by looking through the Microban website it’s most likely nanosilver. It could possibly be zinc pyrithione.

I don’t think it’s a good idea, in the long run, to add nanosilver to products, but in terms of the actual exposure to the individual homeowner, I don’t consider nanosilver to be very harmful here.

Testing a Sample

I tested this sealant on previously unsealed quartzite. It’s fairly low odor when wet (though not extremely low odor). I did find that by the next day I personally could not pick up any offgassing. I can see why it has been a top choice among the chemically sensitive.

All chemically sensitive folks should test out a sample before proceeding to seal a slab in their house.

Where to Use it

On light-colored, cool tone stones that would be discolored by natural sealers (like walnut oil), including white and grey marbles, light grey granite, travertine, and limestone. (Of course, it works well on porous dark-colored stones as well, I just prefer to use a natural oil-based sealer on most dark natural stones).

You can use it on unsealed and previously sealed countertops that are due for re-sealing. As well as light-colored stone tiles in the shower, bathroom, backsplash, and floors.

Where to Buy

2. Granite Gold Sealer

Granite Gold Sealer is another water-based sealer that is low odor and low VOC.

What’s in it

While these two sealers probably use similar technology, the two smell quite different.

Still, it likely has the same base of ingredients: proprietary fluoropolymers as the main technology along with alcohols and ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether. More on those ingredients in their own section below.

Test Results

It’s difficult to quantify which of these two is better for folks with chemical sensitivities and because it’s hard to compare these two objectively. You may want to test both options – sensitivities are very individual.

I personally found this one a little harsher when wet but as soon as it was dry (which was very fast) I found it to be great.

Where to Buy

3. Stain-Proof Stone Sealer (Formally META-CREME)

This product uses a different formula than the first two. This is a water-based silanes and siloxanes impregnating sealer.

It’s similar in odor and VOC levels to the first two. All three are low odor compared to solvent-based sealants and all three could work for chemically sensitive folks after testing for individual tolerance.

(If you have a really wet area like the base of the shower, the company recommends this product for porous tiles in that area).

What’s in it

The company provides a full (or almost full) ingredients list in their SDS: octyltriethoxysilane, triethoxytridecafluorooctylsilane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, alcohols C12-16 ethoxylated, alcohols C12-14 ethoxylated, dimethylsiloxane/[(2-aminoethyl)amino]propylsilsesquioxane, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane.

Test Results

I certainly did find the odor mild and fairly quick to offgas, but I did not test this at the same time as the two above to compare it to those.

When testing it for durability I wasn’t that happy with it. It didn’t hold up well to marring from vinegar and it wasn’t easy to touch up those areas. I have some photos of that testing in my natural stone sealer post. But that is not unique to this sealer, calcium-rich stones like marble, travertine, and limestone are very vulnerable to acid etching. It was interesting how well the natural walnut oil protected against vinegar since as far as I know, all chemical sealers cannot protect against acids.

Where to Buy

Composition of Fluoropolymer Based Stone Sealers

What’s Really in Them?

We don’t have a full disclosure of ingredients from any company making a fluorolopolymer based stone sealant as far as I know. The following is based on piecing together disclosures from various companies and from looking at patents.

A fluoropolymer in stone sealants could mean any of the following:

  • polyvinylfluoride (PVF)
  • polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)
  • polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
  • polychlorotrifluoroehtylene (PCTFE)
  • perfluoroalkoxy polymer (PFA)
  • fluorinated ethylene- propylene (FEP)
  • polyethylenetetrafluoroethylene (ETFE)
  • polyethylenechlorotrifluoroethylene (ECTFE)
  • perfiuoroelastomre
  • chlorotrifluoroethylenevinylidene fluoride
  • perfluoropolyether (PFPE)
  • perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA)
  • Based on Patent

The ingredients probably look something like this:

  • Water
  • Ethanol
  • Ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether
  • Fluoropolymer aka mixed perfluoroalkylethyl phosphate salts
  • Isopropyl alcohol
  • Source Pharos

Do you Really Have to Seal your Countertops?

Countertop sealers last around 2-5 years. Sealers break down over time. The resin is degraded by cleaning products and by general use.

Porous stones are more susceptible to stains and will require sealing more often (1-3 years). Check the density and integrity of the past sealant with a simple “water drop test”. Each stone is different, and sealers and quality of application vary – you have to do a water drop test to determine if or when to seal your stone.

Water Drop Test:

  • Stone must be clean and free of dust
  • Place a single drop of water (quarter size) on the stone
  • Length of time to absorb: <1 minute porous; >1 minute non-porous
  • Perform three tests for the first 2,000 ft2 and at least one for each additional 3,000 ft2

Source MCM Natural Stone Inc and ASTM F-3191

Be sure that you are not using cleaning products that etch the stone and break down the sealants (no vinegar, no hydrogen peroxide, etc), here are non-toxic cleaning and disinfecting products for real stone.

Adding more Protection

You can also add a wax to polish your stone countertop. A brand like Rock Doctor makes a carnauba and mineral oil-based wax polish that works with their flouropolymer water-based sealer. Unfortunately, their polish also has added fragrance to it though.

Alternatives to Using These Synthetic Sealants

  1. Use a dense stone that does not require any sealant. Look at Ubatuba, Black Galaxy, Absolute Black or Blue Pearl granite, Slate, some Quartzites, and other dark-colored dense stones. Dense stones normally shouldn’t be sealed or may only need one application of sealant.
  2. Use walnut oil to seal a medium to darker colored or warm-toned stone (see how well this performs here).
  3. Choose a countertop that doesn’t need a sealant at all like quartz, Dekton, and others in the main countertop post.

Related post: The most affordable non-toxic countertops

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com


The 11 Best Non-Toxic Rugs You Can Buy Online

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Non-Toxic Eco Rugs: The Top Natural and Organic Options

There are only a few companies that have gone the extra mile to fully disclose what is in their rugs.

These are the top companies making green healthy rugs safe for those avoiding toxins in the home.

Those avoiding chemicals should avoid area rugs with synthetic latex backing, glues, moth treatments which is a pesticide – usually permethrin (on wool), and other topical treatments such as stain guard treatments.

For those very sensitive to chemicals, you may even want to avoid rugs treated with detergents, bleach, or dyes (possibly even the eco dyes).

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The Healthiest Non-Toxic Carpet Brands

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For safe, non-toxic carpet, both natural and synthetic fiber options can be a healthy choice.

The post outlines my top picks in the zero and low-VOC categories for residential and commercial use. This includes a look at the carpet fiber, backing, products used during installation, and padding (underlay).

Even folks who are chemically sensitive can do well with carpet in the home.

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A Complete Guide to Non-Toxic Sofa Brands | 2021

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This is a complete list of eco-friendly non-toxic sofa brands.

I start with the best of the best non-toxic sofas, digging into what’s really in them, this is followed by a “next best” list, and then a look at some simpler and more affordable options.

Non-Toxic Sofas and Couches – What to Look For:

  • Natural cushion fill such as natural latex, cotton, down, and wool (See my warning about natural latex here. The concerns may be more related to beds, but I can’t say for sure).
  • No chemical/formaldehyde treatments on the fabric (such as stain and water-resistant coatings, especially PFAS).
  • Eco Leather – Conventional leather is made with toxic dyes and treatments. Some folks may prefer leather due to the ability to wipe it down. Brands that use safer leather are covered in a dedicated post.
  • Solid wood construction, not formaldehyde filled pressed wood products.
  • Zero or low-VOC glues, stains, and varnishes
  • Flame retardant free (my post on flame retardants goes into detail on which ones we want to avoid) but the picks here are all FR free.
  • Polyurethane does offgas at low levels, but I don’t rule it out completely. Make sure it is flame retardant free (“Soy Foam” is still polyurethane with some soy). I avoid memory foam which is higher in offgassing.
  • GOTS certified fabrics and GOLS certified latex are best – which are explained in this post on certifications.

Many of the companies below also offer upholstered chairs, recliners and non-toxic sofa beds/sleeper sofas. You will have to choose between polyurethane or natural latex in the beds.

For mattresses see my post on mattresses and bedding. 

I recommend all of the products here, some products have affiliate programs and some do not. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission through affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

The 8 Top Non-Toxic Sofa Brands You Can Buy Online

1. Medley

Medley sofas are made with either polyurethane or organic natural latex, no-VOC glues, no flame retardants, fabric options that are all-natural or organic, solid alder frames with natural or zero-VOC finishes, and organic cotton internal frame lining. 

They offer a sample kit which is really helpful for those who want to check out the materials first.

If you are looking for a hypoallergenic option this sample box will help to narrow in on what you are allergic to. Medley is my top pick for most people with allergies and sensitivities.

They carry loveseats, standard size sofas, sectionals, and sleeper sofas.

They offer leather as an upholstery option. It’s semi-aniline leather with a water-based coating on top, which I talk more about in the leather furniture post.

You can use code MyChemFreeHouse5 for 5% off.

Made in the USA. Delivery to the US, Canada and beyond.

Start at $1500

2. The Futon Shop

The Futon Shop has a sofa called Daisy Organic Natural Sofa.

It’s made with solid pine (no glues) and has various options for the fill.

The seat cushion fill options include wool with coils, wool and latex, or all three. You can change the main fill to PLA or upgrade to organic wool and latex.

The base arms and back of the sofa are made with natural latex, coconut coir, and natural wool encased in fabric.

The fabric options include organic cotton, linen and wool.

They make chairs, loveseats, sofas and sectionals.

Made in the USA they can provide you with a quote if you are shipping outside of the contiguous 48 states.

Start at $1800 for the sofas.

3. Cisco Brothers

Cisco Brothers sofas are either the Essentials Collection or they can be made with the Inside Green option.

The base line is called Essentials Collection which contains hardwood (no plywood), typically alder or maple, polyurethane foam, and cushions with goose feathers & down. Fabrics are washed to remove any residual dust or chemicals.

The Inside Green option contains organic natural latex instead of polyurethane, wrapped in either eco wool or feathers & down. They use certified solid woods, organic cotton fabrics with no toxic treatments, jute and hemp instead of springs, and WOCA natural stains. No flame retardants are used.

They make sofas, loveseats, and sectionals.

Made in the USA. Sold at locations throughout the US and Canada and online through Urban Natural.

Starts at $2300. The “Inside Green” option starts at $3400

4. EcoBalanza

These handmade, customized sofas are high quality and made with traditional methods – and that means less glue and more material options.

They use organic wool, organic cotton, GOLS certified organic natural Dunlop latex, and GOTS certified fabrics. No flame retardants are used anywhere. Kapok and down are offered in some configurations.

They use non-toxic zero-VOC glues and Rubio Monocoat stains. They can use a different finish if the customer is sensitive to Rubio, or they can leave it unfinished. Solid wood frames are made of alder and beech, ash is usually used for the legs.

They can also accommodate a latex allergy by completely leaving out and replacing the latex.

The make 3 seaters, loveseats, and sectionals. (They also make chairs, ottomans, bed frames and headboards).

They make leather sofas with EcoPell leather which is unsealed, vegetable-tanned, and free of heavy metals. It’s the only truly safe leather on the list – I go into detail on why that is here.

This is the most customizable brand on the list. The Essential Collection is more of option than a collection, and is a more affordable option.

Handmade in Seattle, they ship to all states and to Canada.

Start at $3800

5. Pottery Barn Eco Sofa

Pottery Barn has a lot of options that I would consider in their green line. Pictured above is the slipcover from Amazon for the roll arm style. They also have a square arm.

The down blend is 50% polyester fiber, 45% duck feather, and 5% duck down. After emailing the company, it sounds like the down option has no foam.

Some of their other sofas are made with regular polyurethane (preferable) and others contain memory foam, which is higher in offgassing. They do not contain flame retardants.

They use solid wood inside the construction and some of the fabric options are GOTS certified organic cotton. This sets them apart from most other large national big brands. GOTS certified fabrics and their Crypton fabric are both free of PFAS.

With Greenguard Gold certification, this is a very low level of allowed formaldehyde (0.0073 parts per million).

For someone wanting to avoid both latex and polyurethane, and still looking for something affordable, this could be a good option. They are not quite as “green” as the other companies in this first section.

I have seen swatches of the fabrics, the performance fabrics certainly had more of an odor than the non-performance fabrics.

They offer standard size couches, loveseats, sectionals and recliners.

They deliver to the contiguous US states.

$1000 – $2900

6. Savvy Rest Couch

Made with solid maple (no plywood or particleboard), GOTS-certified organic upholstery (hemp and/or cotton), natural latex wrapped in organic wool, and the option of linseed oil finished or unfinished feet. No flame retardants are used.

They make sofas, loveseats and upholstered chairs.

Made in America they ship to all states and Canada.

Starts at $3500

7. PURE

Made with organic latex with a feather and down wrap, solid maple wood, organic wool, GOTS certified organic cotton, Greenguard certified water-based glue, and Rubio Monocoat wood finish on legs. No flame retardants are used.

They offer sofas, loveseats, sectionals, some sleeper sofas, and a recliner. (Out of the top tier eco companies this is the only one that makes a non-toxic recliner).

Made in America. They ship to the 48 contiguous states. It’s possible to order one to Canada but you need a customs broker.

You can mention My Chemical-Free House for 5% off.

Start at $1400

8. Carolina Morning

The wooden structure is made from regionally harvested Appalachian poplar wood, finished with Vermont Natural Coatings finish.

The futon covers are an organic 100% cotton canvas (in eight colors), and they are filled with kapok fiber. The kapok is grown without herbicides and pesticides.

These are made with the chemically sensitive in mind, and they go to good lengths to keep out added chemicals.

$2,350

Next Best Options

The next best options are sofas free of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These are my criteria:

  • No use of per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances is a top priority in terms of avoiding persistent chemicals. Only a few sofa brands, apart from the above 8 options, are free of PFAS.
  • Solid wood or plywood inside the sofa are preferred. Particleboard can be considered but has more offgassing.
  • No flame retardants.
  • No memory foam (that is higher in offgassing than regular foam).

1. IKEA Sofas

The standard IKEA sofas (i.e. not the futons) are made with particleboard, which offgasses some formaldehyde; regular polyester fabric not treated with perfluorinated chemicals (e.g. PFOS, PFOA, PFOSA); and polyurethane foam cushions which are low in offgassing and free of flame retardants.

The main difference between IKEA and the “greener” brands above is the use of particleboard.

IKEA sells loveseats, sofas, sectionals, sofa beds, upholstered chairs, and recliners.

Prices start from $250

2. Crate and Barrel

Crate and Barrel eliminated PFAS and flame retardants from their upholstery. However, I did hear from one of the fabric makers that they do use PFAS in 2021: Babyletto’s fabric company Livesmart by Culp confirmed that the Crate and Kids Babyletto Kiwi is made with .15% PFAS.

Some of the sofas I looked at had engineered wood (plywood probably) and some had solid wood inside.

There was standard polyurethane foam on the ones I reviewed with no flame retardants.

The fabric swatches had an odor that was hard to describe, something similar to a very light rubber smell.

They sell sofas, loveseats, sectionals, sleeper sofas, upholstered chairs and recliners.

Prices start at about $1000

3. Room and Board

Room and Board has also eliminated PFAS from their fabrics. Some of the fabrics are GreenGuard Gold certified but I couldn’t pick up any major difference between those and their regular fabrics.

The frames are made from solid wood. The foam is regular polyurethane that is free of flame retardants, I did not see any memory foam options.

They sell sofas, loveseats, sectionals, day beds, sofa beds, upholstered chairs and recliners.

Prices start at $1200

4. Vegan Polyurethane Leather Couches

This is not a brand, but a type of sofa to look for that I consider non-toxic and safe is a polyurethane (PU) faux leather sofa.

Whenever looking at faux leather check to see what kind of plastic it is. It could be PVC, PU, or nylon.

I like PU because it doesn’t contain plasticizers, PFAS, or other stain guard chemicals, it’s low odor – and even that will pass. It also is quite a good block of VOCs or semi-VOCs that could be coming from inside the couch.

I avoid PVC faux leather.

5. Crypton Fabric (no PFAS)

Pottery Barn has some sofas made with Crypton fabric which we know is free of PFAS/PFCS these are still performance fabrics that have a bit of a higher odor than non-performance fabrics from PB.

The Pearce Roll Arm sofa has the Crypton fabric option. The frame is solid wood and the cushions are a mix of regular polyurethane (no flame retardants) and polyester batting.

(Other: by 2022 Target will have eliminated PFAs from textiles).

Alternative Sofa Options: Simple and Affordable 

Daybeds and Futons

Metal Daybeds

If you are highly chemically sensitivr or you just want something simpler and cheaper, you could try a metal daybed from Walmart, IKEA or Amazon and put a non-toxic mattress of your choosing on it.

Some of the metal daybed frames will accommodate a MondoKing Thermarest.

Futons

An option from Amazon

You can buy simple futons with a wood or metal base from Amazon or IKEA.

IKEA makes a futon and simple metal-based sofa that contains polyurethane foam (no flame retardants). This option cuts back on other toxic materials used in regular sofas.

A simple sofa with a washable cover can be an asset to those with sensitivities and allergies who need to launder items often.

An even simpler option from IKEA is the Hammarn little futon for $129. This has a metal frame, and only a small amount of polyurethane (no flame retardants).

A simple option like this can be quite non-toxic and offgas rather quickly, especially after a little time airing out.

The more polyurethane, the more you have to offgas. Not all futons have foam though. You have to check what the fill is.

The more components you have inside a typical sofa, the more offgassing you have from pressed wood products, stains, and glues. Futons eliminate pressed wood products and cut down on glues used. They often don’t have stains.

Metal frames eliminate all offgassing of both stains and wood glues.

If you want a proper futon bed for sleeping made of truly safe or natural materials check out my post on mattresses where I outline a number of options in this category.

Outdoor Furniture

You could also look at outdoor furniture to be used either outside or inside.

The benefit here would be the simplicity of the design. Metal, plastic or solid wood as the base. Cushions that can be left outside to offgas or replaced with a cushion of your choice.

Outdoor cushions are made with either polyurethane or polyester fill and the covers can have waterproofing on them, but because of the ability to remove them from the sofa and offgas them, this could be a simple, affordable and healthy option for many.

IKEA outdoor furniture is free of PFOAs/PFCs. Crypton fabric is also free of these highly fluorinated chemicals.

There are three options you might find on Amazon: solid wood outdoor sofas, metal-framed outdoor sofas, and plastic-based outdoor sofas.

Related posts:

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes

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Non-Toxic Windows, Blinds & Curtains

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Updated Winter 2020/2021

1. Window frame materials – Windows made of thermally broken aluminum are the top choice for non-toxic windows. Accoya wood is also a healthy window option. Some vinyl and fiberglass brands can be considered, though they do offgas.

2. Window treatments – Natural untreated fabric, natural fiber roll down blinds, non-painted aluminum blinds, and aluminum screens are the top choices for healthy window treatments. Blackout bamboo shades, polyester curtains, hemp, cotton, and paper pleated shades should be considered as well. Avoid PVC shades/curtains, flame retardant treated fabrics, wrinkle-free finishes, and wood and aluminum blinds with finishes that offgas.

3. Window sealing – Polyurethane canned foam is the norm, which does cure quite well. The least toxic option is backer rod.

I recommend all of the products here, some products have affiliate programs and some do not. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission through affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

Non-Toxic Curtains and Blinds

The best non-toxic window coverings are natural untreated fabric, natural fiber roll down blinds, aluminum blinds and aluminum screens.

For blackout shades, bamboo shades with liners, polyester curtains, hemp, cotton, and paper pleated shades can be considered.

Avoid PVC shades/curtains, curtains highly treated with flame retardants and other chemicals, and wood and aluminum blinds with finishes that offgas VOCs.

1. Fabric Curtains

Fabric curtains are usually treated with wrinkle-free chemicals and flame retardants.

Natural fabrics do break down in UV light but are a healthier option. Look for Oeko-Tex or GOTs certified fabrics to guarantee that they don’t use chemical treatments.

Libeco linen is not GOTS certified but is usually grown without pesticides and the natural colors don’t contain dyes.

Linen options found on Amazon, like the ones in the photo, are either a linen polyester mix or polyester made to look like linen.

IKEA makes GUNRID “air purifying curtains”. These are made of recycled PET water bottles. The air purifying claim sounds like it comes from a treatment of titanium dioxide which creates hydroxyl radicals.

2. Blinds and Shutters

Bamboo Blinds

Green versions of blinds include bamboo roll down blinds that are not treated with chemicals like those from Earthshade and Blinds Chalet.

I got a sample from Blinds Chalet and was happy with them (these really need a backing unless you want just minimal privacy).

Check to see what the backing is and order samples.

Bamboo blinds come in different looks, and other grasses can be woven into the blinds as well.

Wood Blinds and Shutters

I have not found wooden blinds with a 0-VOC finish since this is so hard to accomplish with something that holds up to UV.

Real wood blinds are also prone to warping. Real solid wood is best used as shutters.

The real wood blinds from Blinds Chalet are very light and thin (Signature 2 inch in Carmelia). I could pick up only very minor offgassing which did come to completion in a few weeks.

All of the thin 2 inch real wood blinds from Blinds Galore were also very low in odor, just like other major brands. Only the very sensitive would be able to pick this up. And with a bit of time this did offgas.

Real wood blinds made of basswood are extremely light. From an aesthetic point of view, they are almost impossible to differentiate from the composites.

Faux Wood

Faux wood blinds are usually PVC, but composite blinds can be made of safer plastics mixed with wood.

The composite sample I got from Blinds Chalet was very low in offgassing (Premier Composite Shutters).

Composite blinds from Blinds Galore don’t explicitly say what kind of polymer (plastic) is used. Some of them are listed as PVC as some do not indicate the type of plastic used.

This brand has an American and Canadian website. I tested Bali wood blinds.

They were extremely low in offgassing.

Aluminum Blinds

Aluminum blinds used to use powder-coated metal which was very safe. You can find some older blinds like this.

But currently, all metal blinds in North America, Asia, and Europe are made with a polyester-based baked-on enamel finish that does offgas in theory.

By the time I have received samples of metals blinds the offgassing has been complete.

I have also seen additives, for example, Hunter Douglas ads an anti-static additive to the coating. This may be something like Teflon (but we don’t actually know what it is), which could offgas as well.

You can find brushed aluminum blinds with no paint or coating, like those from Earthshade (pictured). At some retailers, brushed aluminum does have a coating.

3. Between the Glass Blinds

Between the glass is a really cool option that eliminates the worry of offgassing. 

Here is an example from Pella.

4. Window Screens

Conventional screens are very smelly at first.

They can be left outside to offgas, or aluminum screens can be used instead.

Marvin is one brand that makes aluminum options.

Non-Toxic Blackout Shades

1. Bamboo Shades Blackout Liner

Blinds Chalet blackout liner on the bamboo shades is PVC- free.

Their bamboo is also grown without pesticides and chemicals.

2. Polyester Blackout Curtains

Polyester with no PVC backing will work for many people. It’s not perfect right out of the box, but it doesn’t take long for the chemicals to dissipate.

If you can wash and/or air them out first that will help.

West Elm 100% polyester curtain liner is an extra layer of polyester that goes under their other curtains, they = contain no PVC or foam.

They still have that new fabric smell but will air out with some time. West Elm has been improving their eco-credentials lately. Someone sensitive to chemicals did well with these.

These Eclipse polyester curtains from Amazon do not contain flame retardants, can be washed and aired out, and should be tolerable after washing and airing for most people.

These Sleep Well polyester curtains do not guarantee no flame retardants, but they do claim no chemical fabric coatings. They are 100% polyester and free of PVC. They are washable. You can remove that new fabric smell by washing them. Some have reported these having no smell and others more sensitive still can pick up the new fabric smell.

3. 100% Blackout Shades

Earthshade makes eco blackout shades and rollers that are probably the safest ready-made option on the market.

The blackout roller shades do contain 35 ppb formaldehyde which is produced when pressing the polyester sheets together to laminate them with heat.

The shades have also been processed with bleach. Those are the only two treatments of the fabric.

Generally, my recommendation on formaldehyde (as long as it’s not urea) is to give it 3 months of offgassing. When installed with a proper blackout system these will get you the most light blocking of the list.

4. Something Simple for Light Blocking

Another option to consider is this paper black pleated shade – the company claims in an email they do not give off any hazardous chemicals (I bought the natural color version of this – it has a slight chemical smell and needs to be offgassed only for a short while).

They are not that great at blocking light compared to the other options and you will need to double them up to make a bigger difference. But these are super inexpensive, easy to install quickly, and worked perfectly in my tiny house.

5. DIY Hemp Curtains

Another really safe option (truly the safest) would be to make your own blackout curtains with pesticide-free hemp fabric.

Though it’s difficult to make traditional looking curtains from this thick not very flexible fabric.

6. Cotton Room Darkening Curtains

IKEA Room Darkening Curtains made with 100% cotton are somewhat light blocking.

They should be washed or aired out before using.

Avoid: vinyl roller shades and vinyl mini-blinds, PVC and conventional blackout curtains.

Non-Toxic Window Frame Options

The top choice for green non-toxic window frames is aluminum (thermally broken).

Accoya naturally treated wood can be considered another top choice, though wood is more difficult to upkeep.

Fiberglass and vinyl are the next best choices – they do offgas, but some brands will cure quite quickly or be low enough emissions to not cause any issues.

Non-Accoya wood is treated with pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides and it’s prone to warping and water damage. Let’s look deeper:

1. Metal Window Frames

Aluminum windows in my tiny house

Aluminum windows are the healthiest, safest option. It is what I used in my tiny house (pictured above). On the interior, I added wood framing trim. You can also use decorative moldings around the windows.

I used DYG windows from Canada. Milgard is a popular brand that makes thermally broken all aluminum windows (US and Canada).

High-end aluminum thermally broken window brands include Western, Arcadia, and Fleetwood.

What is used in the windows as a thermal break is blocked by the glass and metal so there is no need to worry about much offgassing. Thermally broken aluminum windows are all aluminum with polyurethane inside.

Non thermally broken aluminum windows are not a good idea to use as they conduct heat and cold and easily condensate. Aluminum clad means there is an exterior of aluminum which usually has wood inside.

The most extremely sensitive clients can pick up the seal, PVC glass stop and some glues used.

The finishes I have seen on aluminum windows are baked-on enamel, resin paints, powder coated and anodized. Some baked-on enamel finishes and paints can offgas, the other two are considered safe.

The gaskets are made out of rubber or PVC.

2. Wooden Window Frames

Wood windows are usually treated with fungicides, pesticides, and insecticides. You could use a sealer that seals those chemicals like AFM Safe Seal, AFM Transitional Primer, or Zinsser Shellac (the Bullseye Shellac is waxed and harder to paint over, the SealCoat is dewaxed and easier to paint over).

Safer Wood

Accoya wood used in some window brands uses a non-toxic process called acetylation to naturally provide rot resistance.

They use no chemical fungicides or mildewcides and they claim this process helps to reduce shrinking and swelling compared to most solid wood windows.

Loewen is one of the brands that uses Accoya wood and allows you to choose your paint brand.

Custom Wood

You could go with totally custom made wood windows, but they are more expensive and you still have to consider what kind of sealer you can tolerate on the inside and outside.

For an exterior sealer see my post on paints and sealers.

Problems with Wooden Windows

All wood (through and through) windows are not a good idea as they do not hold up well to moisture in the long run, Accoya wood claims to have solved this problem.

You can also consider ones that are wood on the inside and a more weather resistant material on the outside if you like the look of wood inside. 

Consider also the glue that is used in conventional wood windows could be irritating for the sensitive person.

Chemical Wood Treatments

Marvin’s wood windows (which have aluminum on the exterior) are treated with TimberTreat pesticide, tebuconazole, and propiconazole fungicides, an unlisted insecticide and mineral oil.

Pella and Anderson also make wood windows that are treated with the same or similar chemicals (they are also aluminum on the exterior).

3. Fiberglass Window Frames

Fiberglass offgasses VOCs and some sensitive people do report reacting to it. Though it may be tolerable for some.

Some types and brands are better than others (in terms of offgassing) and this could result in a preference of fiberglass over vinyl or vice versa.

Marvin’s Ultrex was not tolerated by the very sensitive though some less sensitive have done well with it.

Marvin has two different kinds of fiberglass, one has an acrylic component and one has a polyurethane component. You may find them to be different – with the polyurethane one being better tolerated. Pella fiberglass is tolerated by some sensitive folks.

Kolbe has their own fiberglass called Glastra which is mixed with another polymer (plastic).

4. Vinyl Window Frames

Vinyl is generally not healthy, but since this is a hard plastic, many very sensitive individuals report tolerating it. I did not pick up any offgassing on the vinyl windows I tested (and used in a little camping trailer).

I can pick up the offgassing in some of them used in apartments under one year old. Others have reported reacting with new ones. Some let them offgas for a while before installing.

Personally, with a bit of time to offgas, I find these to be good. Better than fiberglass, but not as good as aluminum.

Fibrex is a PVC and wood composite made by Anderson which some sensitive folks have reported being too high in offgassing for them.

Vinyl Components

Vinyl components can be used in any window frame type. Look into the gasket, window stops, jamb liners and tracks which can all be PVC.  I have seen some companies (like Alpene) replace the PVC stop with aluminum.

More details on Alpine (which makes fiberglass and vinyl windows) and other low toxin “High Performance” windows in this post on Passive Houses.

Window FAQs

What are High-Quality Trusted Window Brands?

High-quality window companies recommended by architects include: Marvin, Kolbe, Anderson, Pella, and Wasco. Alpene for High-Performance windows.

Are Gas-filled Windows Non-Toxic? 

Windows filled with argon or krypton gas have a higher insulative value and both gasses are considered non-toxic.

Are Low-E Coatings Non-Toxic?

The two main types of Low-E coatings are both non-toxic. The “soft coat” is a mechanically applied silver coating that is within a double pane window system. You will have no exposure to the silver. A “hard coat” is a layer of tin oxide that is applied while the glass is still hot. The tin is a more integral part of the glass in this case, and is therefore not a risk.

Sealing Around Windows

Caulking

The first two I would test out are AFM Caulk and silicone. Silicone caulks all have different odors/offgassing and rates of curing. My top pick is a neutral cure silicone – Chemlink. GE is also quite good.

I have a post on caulking that goes into more detail.

Sealing Around the Frame

Plastic backer rod (polyethylene) can be used to seal around windows. This is a non-toxic and odorless alternative to polyurethane canned spray foam.

Many people do tolerate the canned spray foams after some offgassing (give it 24 hours to cure or more). Great Stuff is a common one to find easily online and in stores.

Handi-Foam is another brand, that is certified with Greenguard Gold for more assurance (but I cannot tell the difference between the two).

Some people use wool around windows. I prefer not to have wool around windows. The sealing around windows is meant to be airtight to prevent moisture issues, so wool would not suffice.

Window Flashing

For zero-VOC window flashing use TYPAR AT.

They do not recommend this being used in the rough openings, and it doesn’t fit all building codes.

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Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 6 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

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Truly Non-Toxic Paints, Vetted by the Chemically Sensitive

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Which Paints are Truly Safe?

There is a myriad of paints claiming to be “green” or zero-VOC, but most don’t list their ingredients, others list the main components, while some only list what has to be legally disclosed on a safety data sheet (SDS).

This post covers interior wall paints and primers, metal paints, cabinet paints, and floor paints.

VOC-Free Paint

We know that zero-VOC is a legal term and does not always mean it really has no VOCs (chemically).

Keep in mind there are products that are higher in VOCs that will “flash off” and cure quickly, while other low-VOC, or even zero-VOC, formulations can take longer to cure.

Exempt VOCs, meaning those that are not counted in that term legally, include ammonia and acetone.

Other Chemicals of Concern: APEs

Apart from VOCs, alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), which are surfactants used in acrylic paints, can disrupt the hormone system.

Preservatives & Mildewcide

All paints except Milk Paint have preservatives. A few brands in the post disclose which ones they use. With others, we can only guess based on the list of commonly used preservatives/mildewcides.

Chemical Sensitivities

Those who are chemically sensitive should test multiple brands for tolerance after looking through the ingredients and reviewing what works best for the most severely sensitive folks.

In my view, a truly eco-friendly paint is zero-VOC at two weeks’ time but is also ideally low VOC and low odor when wet.

This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

There are two main categories of safe healthy paint:

1. Acrylic Paint (often called latex paint)

This is the most common type of paint used in homes. The main binder is of course acrylic. This is widely used due to the ease of application and durability against water and stains.

I list my top picks in the acrylic-latex category with a price comparison.

2. Mineral Paint

This category includes paints that have a more natural base. This category is very diverse. Mineral paints include silicate paints, clay-based paints, lime paint or limewash, chalk paint, and milk paint.

I have a separate post dedicated to those mineral paints!

Top Picks for Interior Acrylic Paint

What is “latex paint”? This is a general term that means acrylic paint. Paint used to contain styrene-butadiene rubber (synthetic latex). Standard use acrylic paints do not contain this ingredient today. Though only some paints are made with a 100% acrylic binder and some contain polyvinyl acetate (PVA).

1. ECOS Paints

ECOS primers and paints are zero-VOC and are certainly the most popular paint for the chemically sensitive.

Like most paints, they are zero-VOC after 14 days of curing under normal conditions.

This paint is highly tolerable and is my go-to pick for both healthy and chemically sensitive folks in 99% of cases.

This is the only synthetic paint I know of that releases its ingredient list in full, so they are the most transparent.

It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t do well with ECOS, though the extremely sensitive need to air it out longer and may want to test out a number of brands as well as the more natural mineral options to see which one works best.

The paint performs well, has good pigments (great ability to color match), and good coverage.

Free of mildewcide: They removed mildewcides from the formula in 2017, however, they do use 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinethione as a preservative. 

Free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).

Note: Both Lullaby Paints and Quiet Home Paints are both ECOS brand paint. Quiet Home has “curated colors”. This is the exact same product as ECOS paint.

Cost and Where to Buy:

You can buy it online from their website. It’s $78 a gallon with free shipping over $100 in the US. They sell samples, 3 for $10, including shipping.

They ship to everywhere in the US as well as Canada and Mexico.

In the UK this brand is called Lakeland Paints.

2. AFM Safecoat Zero-VOC Paint 

Tintable to thousands of colors. Safecoat is 0-VOC with no-VOC colorants. (Though the primer is low-VOC).

This is a well-known brand that has been around for longer than most others.

It does not have as good coverage as ECOS.

They make it a focus to have no hazardous air pollutants (HAPS) – since “zero VOC” means it can still contain some hazardous substances.

This brand makes fantastic products, but the paint is not usually my top pick, especially for the severely sensitive. Though you may want to use AFM Transitional Primer and their paint to seal in offgassing since it does a better job at sealing in offgassing than other brands.

The preservative is an isothiazolinone (BIT).

This is an acrylic paint. The Pearl sheen also contains PVA.

Cost and Where to Buy:

You can buy this online. It’s $69 a gallon +  shipping. You can buy samples here for $6 each. They ship to the US and Canada.

3. Mythic Paint

This was the fan-favorite before they went out of business in North America. This paint is still available in the UK with some use in Asia.

In attempting to track the sale of this formula in North America I looked at a few possibilities:

A commenter believes American Pride (by the same parent company as Mythic) may be similar, though the company was not responsive to attempts to contact them.

ECOS, the new fan favorite, is tolerated as well as Mythic was. This is definitely my pick for a replacement paint. I have heard from multiple industry sources that the same scientist was involved in both brands, but there is sufficient evidence that they are not the same formula.

Much Smarter Paint claims to have Mythic matched, but that appears to be a marketing statement, it is not a statement about the formula. I don’t know that this company has any basis to say that they matched the formula.

It is my understanding that none of these companies bought the formula.

Costs and Where to Buy:

You can buy American Pride in select stores in the southern United States.

Much Smarter Paints you can buy online. The smallest quantity is a quart for $17. It’s $50 a gallon + shipping (only ships within the US).

These two are smaller brands and I’m not convinced they have ECOS beat, but everyone is different, so you may still prefer them. You can buy ECOS paint online.

4. Durasoy

This paint is a little different. Although it’s an acrylic paint, the acrylic is naturally derived (and not from petrochemicals).

Green Planet Paints is a similar type of paint, also made with a bio-acrylic binder. I tested this one and didn’t find it to be that different from a regular 0-VOC acrylic.

Costs and Where to Buy:

You can purchase Durasoy online through their website. It’s $53 a gallon plus shipping.

Green Planet Paints also sells their paint online through their website. It’s $48 a gallon.

The most common preservatives in paint include isothiazolinones and/or pyrithione zinc.

5. Benjamin Moore 

Benjamin Moore makes a number of zero-VOC paints, one of the original non-toxic paint lines was their Natura (now phased out).

Ben Moore paints do contain a mildewcide (isothiazolinone). It is free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).

Natura was phased out in March 2021, you might still find some cans in store.

They have many more zero-VOC lines added now like ben. The company reps claim that their Eco Spec is the closest paint to Natura.

If you want something you can go out and buy from a store right now or on Amazon, this might be your best option.

Costs and Where to Buy:

Benjamin Moore stores can be found all over the US and Canada. You can buy samples online – samples only ship to the US.

Costs per gallon: EcoSpec $48 Natura was $80, ben $47.

6. Sherwin Williams Harmony 

Sherwin Williams Harmony is another easy to source zero-VOC paint with zero-VOC pigments.

This paint claims to reduce formaldehyde. Based on patents by this company, it’s likely this paint contains sodium bicarbonate, zeolite, and possibly cyclodextrin.

It does have a mildewcide/preservative which is not disclosed.

Sherwin Willians ProMar 200 and their EcoSelect are other affordable lines that are zero-VOC.

Most Sherwin Williams lines are confirmed free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs).

In terms of a durable enamel paint, ProClassic Waterborne Interior Acrylic Enamel has been reported by moderately sensitive folks to offgas relatively quickly.

Costs and Where to Buy:

You can buy this at Sherwin Williams paint stores. Sherwin Williams color samples that you can buy online are not the real paint, you have to get this in-store to sample the paint itself.

Some SW lines have quart sizes, but Harmony does not come in quart size.

Harmony $60 per gallon (sometimes on sale online for $42), ProMar $70.

7. Dunn Edwards

Spartazero is zero-VOC with zero-VOC pigments. Their Everest is also no-VOC and has a HPD that reveals all ingredients.

They are free of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) and the mildewcide/preservative is a isothiazolinone.

Let me know if you have any feedback on it.

If you like to buy local, support smaller companies, and you have this near you, you may want to test it.

Costs and Where to Buy:

You can find this at smaller chain hardware and paint stores. The cost is $45 per gallon.

8. Valspar Paint

Valspar paint lines are the most affordable of the zero-VOC non-toxic paints, and the brand is wildly available.

Because it’s so affordable this could be a good option when you need to convince a property owner or management company to use a healthier paint.

Costs and Where to Buy:

Valspar Pristine is one of the zero VOC lines, and it goes for 29 USD at Walmart.

2021 update: Valspar Simplicity is not discontinued but it’s been mostly out of stock. A comparable product is HGTV Ovation Plus by Sherwin Williams (from Lowes, $16/gallon). Valspar 4000 is also 0-VOC but a lower grade paint than the Valspar Simplicity.

9. Farrow & Ball

Despite being just slightly over the threshold for what is considered zero-VOC, Farrow & Ball in my opinion is the most tolerable paint in this section.

It is much lower in offgassing and odor when wet than any other paint I have tried.

This is a good reminder that VOC levels don’t always correspond to how good a product is in reality.

This is partially because there can be exempt VOCs in paint, because the rate of offgassing can vary greatly, and because we are all different in which chemicals are the most triggering.

This to me, seems to be the safest paint when wet in the conventional category. And it also cured quickly.

The binder in this paint is a vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymer (PVA) – it’s not technically an acrylic paint. It does contain isothiazolinones.

It’s extremely similar to BioShield paint, in my opinion, but it is much easier to apply.

Costs and Where to Buy:

This UK-based company has stockists around the world. You can order online with paint shipping out from the US, UK, France, and Germany to most countries around the world. A sample pot is $8.

It’s pricy at $110 a gallon.

Honorable mention: as of 2021 almost all big brands have a zero or close to zero-VOC paint. Delux brand, available all around the world has a close to zero-VOC formula and Behr has one now as well. Clare is a new online brand of no-VOC paint that sells peel and stick color swatches. Some of their paints contain mineral oil.

Eco-Friendly Paint Price Comparison

BRANDCOST PER GALLON (USD)IS SHIPPING INCLUDED
ECOS$78Over $100, yes
AFM Safecoat$69No, unless you buy in store
Much Smarter Paints$50No
Durasoy$53No
Envirosafe$50No
Farrow & Ball$110No but you can find it in store too
Ben Moore EcoSpec$48Buy in store
Ben Moore ben$47Buy in Store
Sherwin Williams Promar$70Buy in Store
Sherwin Williams Harmony$60Buy in Store
Dunn Edwards$45Buy in Store
Valspar Pristine$29Buy in Store

Natural Mineral Paints for Interior Walls

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  • 1. RomaBio is the only one that is technically called a “mineral paint”, which means it’s a silicate-based breathable paint. Although lime is the filler, this paint is still a mostly synthetic paint, which to my nose was even higher in offgassing than ECOS.
  • 2. BioShield is one of my top picks in this more natural category. The binder in this paint is PVA. It has a high percentage of natural ingredients, the least amount of concerning additives, and the lowest odor. The extremely sensitive usually do well with this brand. All ingredients are disclosed. However, Farrow and Ball is just as tolerable, easier to access, easier to apply, and in my experience, more durable.
  • 3. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint was also surprisingly low odor. I really liked this paint and it seemed very non-toxic to me. It has great coverage and does not need a primer on most surfaces. Though in contrast to BioShield, we don’t know much about what is in this paint.
  • 4. Milk Paint is another one that should be in this category. True milk paint is 100% natural (the only paint that is 100% natural and biodegradable). It comes in a powder and is made of casein, lime, clay, and pigments. Over new drywall, it does not require a primer. For durability, it needs a topcoat, which would be a natural oil, wax or varnish.

If you want to see what these four actually look like see my post on natural paints.

Non-Toxic Interior Wall Primers

  • 3. ECOS makes great zero-VOC primers (no mildewcide). Their general wall primer is used on new drywall, and wood primers. I like their Air Purifying Primer (APP) which is low odor. The APP primer has a similar level of odor to the low luster paint.
  • This primer contains zeolite which absorbs VOCs, and I believe this is bringing down the odor of the primer itself (I doubt it can do anymore to absorb odors in the room). Their Stain Blocking Primer sample arrived solid when I ordered it, though it did seem higher odor than APP. This would be used on woods with high tannins, for example.
  • Their Universal Primer is the one with the strongest bonding power. You can use this on more difficult to prime surfaces like vinyl, stained wood and metal. ECOS is my top brand here if you don’t mind ordering online.
  • 4. Sherwin Williams Promar 200 is a zero-VOC primer (no mildewcide).
  • 5. Benjamin Moore – Natura Primer is zero-VOC. That one is being phased out. The Ultra Spec 500 is a good zero-VOC primer that works on new drywall.

Non-Toxic Metal Primers

  • 1. AFM MetalCoat Primer is a low-VOC formula that can be used on interior and exterior metal including galvanized steel, aluminum, and non-ferrous metal.
  • 3. Tung oil can be used to rustproof some types of steel. More on tung oil in a dedicated post. If you prefer an all-natural solution, this might work for you.
  • 4. Annie Sloan Chalk Paint can be used over some metals as a primer. I really liked this paint, despite a lack of transparency on what is in it. I discuss that paint in the mineral paint post. Rustoleum Chalked also works over metal and you can find it on Amazon and Home Depot. It’s slightly higher odor than Annie Sloan (but cheaper!).

Non-Toxic Kitchen Cabinet Paint

  • 1. AFM Safecoat Ecolacq is an acrylic lacquer that works particularly well on cabinets. Ecolacq line has a primer and needs to be sprayed on to cabinets to get a professional look.
  • 2. Annie Sloan Paint works particularly well on cabinets – and it usually doesn’t need prep or primer (though you really should sand first). You do have to finish it with a topcoat. I look more deeply into Annie Sloan in my mineral paint post.
  • 3. Farrow & Ball’s Full Gloss paint works well on cabinets. This is my favorite zero- VOC paint brand. It is easy to wipe down and wash with a 95-percent gloss.

Non-Toxic Floor Paint

  • 1. Farrow and Ball makes a floor primer. Their Modern Eggshell line is then used on top of that. This works on wood and concrete floors. More info on substrate prep on their site.
  • 2. ECOS Paints Floor Paint is formulated for wood and concrete floors. Their Porch & Floor Paint which is more durable is made for exterior and interior concrete floors (not wood!).
  • 3. AFM Safecoat Concrete Floor Paint – This is acrylic paint with PVA. It’s mostly used on concrete floors, but there are some conditions in which you can use it on wood.

Related posts:

PS. This less-toxic paint stripper is often the best one for sensitive folks. A dedicated post has more options.

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

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Non-Toxic Shelf and Drawer Liners

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In a healthy home I personally would not consider shelf and drawer liners made of PVC including fabric backed with PVC, rubber, or cork (which is pressed together with a polyurethane adhesive).

I consider EVA, polyethylene (PE/PET), polypropylene to be safe healthy plastics, especially for this application.

Other non-toxic, eco-friendly options include paper, fabric and wood veneer.

The following options are made for shelves, drawers (kitchen and other rooms), dressers and wire carts,

This post contains affiliate links. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

1. EVA Plastic Liners

I like non-PVC plastic liners with no adhesive on the back.

I like this clear EVA one from Amazon.

You can also get a solid color for a heavy-duty EVA Drawer Liner (also non adhesive).

IKEA also makes EVA liners.

2. Silicone Drawer Liners

Silicone is very grippy – good for drawers or anywhere where you want things to grip to it.

Silicone liners are non-toxic, I find I need to air it out for a few hours when it’s brand new.

This bright blue one is from Amazon. I like these pastel colored ones as well.

3. Polyethylene (PE/PET) Liners

Polyethylene is easier to slide items across and so it’s better for kitchen shelves.

I have seen them at the Container Store and these cute polka-dot ones from Amazon.

4. Polypropylene Liners for Wire Shelves

These are a thicker and sturdier plastic used to add a stable layer to wire shelves.

Polypropylene (PP) is one of the safest plastics.

Gorilla Grip specifically states that their liners are PP.

5. Paper, Cloth & Wallpaper

When I was a child we used paper to line our kitchen cabinet shelves and drawers so I’m partial to this non-plastic look.

Some of the old-school ones are actual paper, but they are harder to find. The paper ones I usually see are now backed with PVC.

You can use an actual wallpaper. And a non-toxic wallpaper glue if you prefer that look.

Spoonflower (pictured) makes a PVC-free peel and stick wallpaper that is available on Amazon. Their wallpapers have cute designs and work as shelf liners on many surfaces.

You can use fabric to line shelves but you normally find this backed with PVC to make it stay in place. I would use a non-woven or cloth wallpaper (that is PVC-free).

6. Wood

For bedroom shelves or drawers you can use a wood veneer liner.

This cedar liner is only wood, though the reviews describe it as finicky.

I would not use cork shelf liners as the glue used to press the cork together offgasses too much in my opinion to make it a truly healthy option.

Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.

Buy Me a Coffee at ko-fi.com

Did you find this post helpful? If so you can buy me a coffee to support the research behind this blog. Thank you!

Choosing a Non-Toxic Engineered Wood Floor

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The most common type of engineered wood is a flooring with a real wood layer on top and an engineered wood layer as the base.

There are three types of construction and two main finishes to consider when choosing this type of non-toxic engineered wood floor.

When looking for a zero-VOC, healthy engineered wood floor, the most important part is the construction type, so let’s start there then go on to the finishes.

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