So, you’ve decided to make your nursery as eco-friendly and chemical-free as your sweet baby. Good for you! It really isn’t that hard or expensive to make your baby’s room a safe and natural place to sleep and play.
The first step is to make sure your baby has fresh, clean air to breathe. Conventional paints release dangerous chemicals into the air called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. VOCs quickly go into a gaseous state and are chemically very similar to smog. They damage the ozone layer and are a threat to human health. VOCs are monitored in the workplace by the US Department of Labor and in the air by the US Environmental Protection Agency. VOCs are emitted from paint long after the paint is dry and can potentially affect the health of your baby.
Buying paint that contains “low VOC” or “VOC free” can be a bit misleading. The paint may be VOC-free when you buy it, but as soon as the dye is added to the can, the VOCs are right back there. VOCs are what give paint that “paint” smell, so if you smell it, it’s probably been added. Fortunately, there is a new line of paint called “Frehaire” that is available at The Home Depot. Instead of using the traditional tint measurements, they have a packet of powdered tint that is added to the paint. This keeps the paint truly VOC-free and ensures that your baby isn’t blowing paint fumes into the nursery.
Another sneaky source of chemical exposure is carpet. The synthetic materials used to make rugs contain many, many toxic chemicals. Whenever possible, opt for renewable bamboo, cork or hardwood flooring. Tongue-and-groove-style hardwood floors do not require strong glues or other chemicals to install. Use natural fiber rugs made from hemp, wool, and cotton. Not only will the floors be safer for your baby to play and breathe around, but cleaning all those messes that come with having a baby is a breeze, more hygienic, and doesn’t take up your valuable time and energy.
You can even choose eco-friendly furniture for your baby’s room. Bamboo is an easy option. It is a fully renewable resource; it is more fire resistant than other woods and is lightweight, yet very strong. Look for companies that offer reclaimed wood furniture or bamboo furniture with a low or no-VOC finish in their varnishes or glues, as well as no formaldehyde in their dyes. Companies like Celery, ModernNursery, and Mod Mom Furniture use low VOC finishes and have stylish designs that fit a variety of nursery styles.
Stock your child’s nursery closet with bamboo baby hangers or eco-friendly baby hangers and you’ll be on your way to a nursery you’re comfortable with!
