Whether you’re looking for a couch on Craigslist or that perfect shade of paint, you’ll want to think about toxic chemicals that could reside in products that you choose. This means doing your research and making smart choices.
So how do you choose healthier home improvement products and options?
One place that you can make healthier choices is with paint. According to Health magazine, that strong smell that we associate with paint is actually unhealthy. This smell comes as a result of volatile organic compounds, or VOC’s. These compounds have been said to cause cancer.
This is why paint companies are releasing paint products that have either no- or low-volatile organic compounds. Health says that one excellent product in the way of low-VOC paint is Benjamin Moore’s Aura. This low-VOC product is said to provide excellent coverage with very little odor, and it dries in just an hour. Plus, one coat provides amazing coverage.
Another option is California Paint Elements. This product contains no VOCs. However, Health says a lot of paint will be needed to cover the roller. It is said to have an odor associated with ammonia and takes longer to dry -- four hours.
Yet another choice is Devoe Paint Wonder Pure. According to Health, this paint also contains no VOCs. And it is said to offer great coverage (though not as good as Benjamin Moore products). This paint also dries in about four hours and is offered at a competitive price.
The next place to look for healthier home improvement products is in your choice of carpet cleaner. After all, you’ll probably want your carpet to seem brand-spanking -new.
According to Healthy Child Healthy World, carpet can be conducive to mold, mildew and dust mites. And choosing the wrong carpet cleaner can expose you to potentially harmful chemicals.
There are a number of ways to limit harmful chemical exposure from carpet cleaning. The first is to use naturally healthy products to remove stains. For example, Healthy Child Healthy World says that club soda can absorb red wine stains, and an ice cube can help to firm up gum and candle wax so that you can remove these items. One-third of a cup of vinegar mixed with two-thirds of a cup of warm water can be applied to a stain. Just soak it up with a rag after blotting clean. And for a natural option to remove odors, sprinkle a little baking soda on top of your carpet and then vacuum thoroughly.
How you steam clean carpets is also important. Healthy Child Healthy World suggests steam cleaning carpets with just water as opposed to added chemicals. The hot water is said to be helpful on its own. Combine vinegar with water as a safe option, and if you do hire a company to clean your carpets, talk to them about what chemicals they use.
Another thing that you may want to be aware of is flame retardants in furniture. According to How Stuff Works, flame retardants are used in a number of common furniture items like mattresses and upholstery. This is a good thing in that it is a life-saving way to delay the spread of flames. However, there are also concerning chemicals associated with flame retardants.
These chemicals are poybrominated diphenyl ethers, also known as PBDEs. Though the use of two kinds of PBDEs is said to have been phased out more than a decade ago, their “cousin” still exists. According to How Stuff Works, studies on PBDEs in rats and mice have linked these chemicals to many health issues including learning and memory problems, thyroid issues, and lowered sperm count. And some say that PBDEs may even cause cancer.
These chemicals can reside in the body and later be found in both women's reproductive systems and breast milk, which means that babies are exposed to them. And most everyone has some level of PBDEs in his or her system.
The good news is that you can purchase safer furniture. According to EWG's Enviroblog, Room and Board was one of the first companies to stop using harmful flame retardants in furniture. Crate and Barrel, West Elm and Pottery Barn have followed suit in their sofas. All sofas purchased through these companies are free of these additives.
And remember that older sofas purchased from yard sales or Craigslist may contain PBDEs. If you’re trying to avoid these health threats, a newer couch may be a better option.
When it comes to safer home improvement products, take flooring and wallpaper into account. According to Preventharm.org, researchers have found that ingredients in flooring and wallpaper can be dangerous.
In fact, the Ecology Center is said to have tested more than 1,000 samples from floors and almost 2,300 different types of wallpaper. In these products, they found ingredients that have been associated with conditions such as asthma, birth defects, learning disabilities, and even hormone and reproductive problems. Some of these ingredients were found to be both toxic to the liver and cancer-causing.
To combat this, look for safer wallpaper and flooring options. Find out which ingredients are in the options that you choose. And don’t be afraid to find a different option if you do discover hazards.
Finally, think about what harmful chemicals may have existed in your home before you bought it. For example, don’t rip out insulation in an old home without double -hecking to find out whether or not insulation contains asbestos. And be aware that old paint may contain lead, which is dangerous.
It’s all a matter of planning. Doing research before you remodel is the best way to protect your health.