Living Room

Shelter is one of the most fundamental human needs. It protects us. It keeps us alive. So why not treat your home like a living organism that supports your life? In doing so, you ensure that it is made of healthy materials that won’t make you sick. Unfortunately, plastics have invaded our homes and they can make us sick.

FLOORS

There are many options for floors:  laminate, carpets, ceramic and wood. Here’s the lowdown on each option.

1. Laminate Flooring

In the past few years, laminate flooring has become popular because of its low price and convincing resemblance to wood floors. The technology has evolved to the point where you can hardly tell if it’s a real wood floor. Retailers might even make you believe it is actual wood by using terms such as “floating wood tiles.”

Laminate flooring is actually synthetic floor layers, usually made of melamine resin and fiber board material, fused together with large volumes of glue that may contain formaldehyde and other harmful materials. The top layer contains a photographic appliqué layer made to look like real wood.

Depending on the quality of the product, you can expect some off-gassing of toxic chemicals. The off-gassing is always worse in the first few years after installation, so if the floor has been there for a while, there is probably minimal release of toxins.

Image Credit: Diy13

2. Carpets

If you’re planning on having a carpet, ensure it is made of 100 percent natural fibers. Synthetic carpets are made of nylon or polyester fibers that wear off into the ambient air constantly. The air you breathe becomes filled with microscopic plastic particles that disperse in your entire house and beyond. The more you can minimize breathing in microplastics, the better. Moreover, wall-to-wall carpeting usually involves very strong glues that can off-gas toxic chemicals for a long time after its installation. Wool and cotton are much better options.

Image credit : Lorena Canals

3. Ceramic

Ceramic floors are a wonderful plastic-free alternative as long as they are made of real ceramic; that is, clay hardened by heat. Some manufacturers offer fake laminate ceramic that looks just like the real thing, so make sure you are getting authentic ceramic. Glazed ceramic will be easier to clean. Be aware that the more porous the ceramic, the more chances it will stain.

Image credit: Vladimir Srajber

4. Wood

Wood floors are beautiful, natural and can be super durable. They add warmth to a space with the colors and textures of the various wood essences. Unfortunately, the great majority of them are coated in plastic. In order to make them easier to clean and maintain, most manufacturers now add a coat of polyurethane, a plastic-based coating. Even if these types of wood floors are more durable and easier to clean, they wear off over time, which means that microscopic particles of plastic will progressively invade the air you breathe. Instead, look for oiled wooden floors. Although they require more maintenance because you need to re-apply oil when the floors start to fade, they are healthier and can offer a matte natural look that shiny polyurethane can’t match.  

Image credit: Pixabay

FURNITURE

Most upholstered furniture created before 2013 is practically certain to contain flame retardants, thanks to a California law that encouraged the use of them in upholstered furniture (both in the fabric and the polyurethane foam). As of 2015, California law requires new upholstered furniture to have a label indicating whether or not it contains flame retardants, but there is no requirement to specify which chemicals may have been used. So the upshot is that you should ask the manufacturer to be sure. For example, IKEA sells certain furniture that has wool wadding and no flame retardants at all.

As well, the fabric on your furniture may contain a plastic coating for stain prevention. Something else to ask about before making your purchase. Because of its natural flame resistance, wool is a good option and it is also a great moisture barrier. For cushions without plastic, look for down feathers, natural organic rubber or cotton instead of polyurethane foam.

Image credit: Eric Mufasa

WINDOW COVERINGS

It is important to choose natural fibers when installing curtains on your windows. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylons tend to be photodegradable with daily exposure to light, thus dispersing plastic microparticles into the air. Natural fabrics such as cotton can be transformed into thick canvas or elegant velours that can block the light very efficiently. Hemp and linen are other fine options.

As for blinds, look for natural Asian paper or blinds made from wood or bamboo. So many natural stylish options exist that plastic blinds can be easily avoided. Moreover, vinyl blinds may be made of lead-laden polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Image credit : Magic Linen