However, most sofas release toxic chemicals that is harmful to our health. Toxic chemicals from sofa easily escape into the air and attach to dust particles. Everyone in the family including a baby can breathe in toxic chemicals or ingest them by touching the chemicals accumulated in the living room and transporting them to mouth.
Do all sofas contain toxic chemicals?
Most sofas contain petroleum-based polyurethane foam with toxic flame retardant chemicals, formaldehyde releasing frames, leather or fabric with toxic chemical residues or fumes, toxic glues or finish. However, there are companies that make non toxic sofas.
Are sofas bad for You?
( Polyester and Our Health) So many sofas have petroleum-based foams infused with flame retardants, formaldehyde releasing frames and chemical treated leather or fabrics. On top of that, sofas can also contain toxic glues to make them even more harmful.
Is the sofa you buy really non-toxic?
Each person has to choose the degree of purity that they can afford. But, please know that if a sofa is $1500 and claims to be completely non-toxic and made with all natural rubber, it isn’t. The natural rubber costs more than the price of the sofa. Finally, making claims that only company has the purist ingredients is very dangerous.
Are Pottery Barn sofas toxic?
PVA is only toxic to ingest, it does not release any harmful fumes) Pottery Barn sofas use kiln dried hardwood for their frames and you can also choose organic fabrics for their sofa.
What makes a couch toxic?
In addition, flame or fire retardants like penta BDE, octa BDE, deca BDE, perchloroethylene are most likely coating your sofa. These chemicals prevent your sofa from ignition from stray cigarettes or candles and also slow the spread of fire. However, these are also extremely toxic and harmful to the environment.
Are new couches toxic?
Thanks to greater public awareness, and research showing couches don't need to be infused with flame-retardants to be safe, “these chemicals are under control now in new furniture,” Blum says. But in older couches, flame retardants are “pretty much always present,” Bradman says.
Do all couches have formaldehyde?
Since formaldehyde in furniture is fairly common in upholstery fabrics, especially synthetics, airing out that new sofa before using it is a good way to get a lot of the chemical smells out of the material before placing the furniture in its designated room.
Are old couches toxic?
If you haven't shopped for a new couch in a few years, that old sofa may be harboring cancer-causing toxins, and kids are especially vulnerable. Much less furniture is made with flame-retardant chemicals these days, thanks to changes in law and recent changes in how furniture is made.
How do you check a couch for toxins?
Cut a small chunk from the foam. Wrap the surgical work in tinfoil, ziplock seal it and mail the crime-scene-looking evidence off to Durham, North Carolina. Wait up to 45 days, the lab said, and it'll arrive: a report detailing toxic flame retardants embedded in the foam. Don't miss what matters.
Can my couch be making me sick?
In addition to the gross-out factor, your favorite overstuffed sofa or armchair actually could be making you sick if you are sensitive to the allergens or irritants it holds, allergists say. Indoor allergens produce symptoms similar to pollen allergy symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing and watery eyes.
How do I know if my furniture has formaldehyde?
Furniture with lower formaldehyde gas-emission labels. These labels can include: “Exterior grade” pressed wood. California Air Resources Board (CARB) Phase 2 Compliant.
How long does it take for formaldehyde to dissipate from furniture?
about two yearsAn important question about formaldehyde is how long it takes for formaldehyde to off-gas in new homes and new furniture–how long will it take for levels to get back to normal? The best data I've seen suggests formaldehyde takes about two years to off-gas back to normal levels.
Is Ashley Furniture toxic?
As of January 1, 2015, Ashley no longer uses flame retardant chemicals. In addition, all their upholstered furniture made after this date includes a label that complies with the requirements of California's SB-1019 (meaning it will specify that it does not include flame-retardant chemicals).
Is furniture really toxic?
For some people, headaches, asthma, allergies and even serious diseases like cancer may follow. It's called furniture off-gassing. Furniture can release toxic chemicals into the air we breathe.
How do you get toxins out of furniture?
Baking soda sprinkled over upholstery fabric absorbs some of the odor when left to sit for an hour or so. Set any removable cushions aside and sprinkle both the cushions and the areas underneath, as well as all the fabric on an upholstered item. Vacuum the baking soda away to clean it off the furniture.
Are couch cushions toxic?
While free of toxic flame retardants, upholstered furniture still utilizes toxic materials. Most of the furniture sold to US consumers is made with polyurethane foam (aka polyfoam or PU foam).
How to get rid of toxins in your home?
Invest in a HEPA-sealed vacuum that really traps toxins. Invest in a robust air filter. We like (and own) Austin Air filters, which employ HEPA, activated carbon, and zeolite, a mineral with superior ability to trap toxic gases and odors such as formaldehyde, ammonias, and carbon monoxide. Eat more plants.
What is the material used in a Medley sofa?
Natural latex, which is resistant to bacteria, mildew, and mold, is used as a filler in place of polyurethane foam (which is what Medley uses in their standard sofas), provided you select this option.
Is Scotchguard safer than PFBS?
Scotchguard agreed to phase out PFOS and has replaced it with PFBS. Overall, PFBS seems safer, as it has a shorter half-life and accumulates in our bodies at a slower pace. I remain skeptical as safety studies are still lacking. At this point, there really is no natural alternative to Scotchguard.
Is a sofa flame retardant?
Most sofas contain flame retardant chemicals and other toxins. This shopping guide will help you find an organic, non-toxic sofa. CART. MENUMENU.
What to Look for in a Non-Toxic Sofa
It can be difficult to determine how much contact and exposure to chemicals in your sofa may be harmful, so if you are concerned and want to try mitigating potential effects the best way to keep you and your family healthy is to try looking for non-toxic sofas instead.
The Best Non-Toxic Sofas For Your Home
Offering beautiful, sustainable furniture, Sabai is passionate about protecting the environment. Made in High Point, North Carolina, Sabai specializes in sofas. The cushions are made from CertiPUR-US®-certified foam that contains no flame retardants or formaldehyde.
In Summary
Maybe you’ve never thought so critically about a piece of furniture before. Or maybe you’ve been on a non-toxic kick for a while and have been looking for a more friendly sofa and other non-toxic furniture. I hope this list has been helpful in narrowing down the best non-toxic sofas for your home.
What is a non toxic sofa?
A truly non toxic sofa uses non toxic or organic materials for all parts of a sofa. Most sofas contain petroleum-based polyurethane foam with toxic flame retardant chemicals, formaldehyde releasing frames, leather or fabric with toxic chemical residues or fumes, toxic glues or finish. However, there are companies that make non toxic sofas.
How much does a non toxic sofa cost?
Usually, a non-toxic sofa with more non toxic materials will cost more. A non toxic sofa can cost easily over $5000. There are companies that make a non toxic sofa with all non toxic materials and there are also companies that make a sofa with no flame retardant chemicals but also with other materials that are questionable.
Where are Medley sofas made?
Medley makes non toxic sofas and you can choose non toxic, organic materials when buying their sofa. Their sofas are made in California and usually takes about 4 weeks. They use no harsh chemicals or flame retardants.
Can a sofa be toxic?
Different parts of a sofa can release toxic chemicals or have toxic chemical residues. Therefore, if you want to buy a truly non toxic sofa, materials of all parts of a sofa should be looked into. The more non toxic materials are used for a sofa, the more non toxic the sofa will be.
Does Pottery Barn have flame retardant?
Pottery Barn – Sofa Without Flame Retardant Chemicals. Pottery Barn sofas use kiln dried hardwood for their frames and you can also choose organic fabrics for their sofa. Their cushions are polyester wrapped foam cushions but do not contain flame retardant chemicals. Beverly Upholstered Grand Sofa.
Do sofas have flame retardants?
Their sofas made before 2015 will still contain flame retardants. Although these companies do not use flame retardant chemicals, they may use materials that could be harmful in other parts of a sofa such as foam, frame, upholstery fabric, glue or wood finish.
Does Ashley Furniture have flame retardant?
Ashley Furniture sofas don’t have flame retardant chemicals. However, they use poly foam, synthetic fabrics for upholstery and faux wood finish on the legs of the sofa. Calion Sofa. Sofa Without Flame Retardant Chemicals -Ashley Furniture Calion Sofa.
How Big Chem bullied us into this toxic mess
Starting in 1975, Big Chem held California hostage to an ineffective and dangerous flammability standard that compelled furniture manufacturers to blend toxic flame retardants into their products. Because California’s market share is so big, the rest of the continent was dragged along into these wrongheaded rules.
Consumer and commercial money talked, manufacturers listened
Led by Kaiser Permanente , the healthcare industry pushed the market to adopt these changes more quickly than they would have otherwise. Backed up by $50 million of furniture purchases each year, Kaiser and other healthcare systems announced that by 2016, they would not buy furniture treated with flame retardants.
How you can find a toxic-free couch
In the market for a new couch? The Green Science Policy Institute has compiled a list of manufacturers that sell retardant-free furniture, though this list is not comprehensive. And Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) produced an easy-to-follow guide for consumers.
A new day for all our derrières
Having dogged this issue for years now, I am thrilled to see us turning a corner on a rule that was outdated, unscientific, and flat-out dangerous to our families and public health.
What furniture is flame retardant?
Most of the residential furniture that is in our homes today has been treated with these toxic chemicals. Furniture and products treated with flame-retardants include anything that has polyurethane foam within it. This includes sofas, baby car seats, crib mattresses, vehicle seating, baby changing pads, dog beds, ect.
How to reduce exposure to flame retardant chemicals?
Luckily there are some simple steps you can take to reduce your exposure to flame-retardant chemicals. Vacuum often using a HEPA filter. Wet mop and damp dust. Wash hands frequently, especially before eating. Replace the foam cushions in your sofa with foam that has not been treated with flame-retardants.
Can you breathe in toxic fumes from particle board?
Unfortunately the answer to that question is often, yes. If you have furniture made of particle board or sofas made with synthe tic fabrics and foam stuffing, you are breathing in toxic fumes. Every.
Do children have higher levels of chemicals in their bodies than their mothers?
Children have higher levels of these chemicals in their bodies than their mothers. These chemicals pass through the placenta to the fetus and then are passed through breast milk. We need to end this disturbing cycle! Every generation has more chemicals in their blood than the previous one.
Is particleboard toxic?
Furniture made of particleboard, fiberboard, and plywood often contain urea-formaldehyde glues. While particleboard is nice in the fact that it uses recycled timber or timber waste , it’s components can be very toxic. Formaldehyde based resins are used to bind the particles together. Formaldehyde is considered a likely human carcinogen and over time, it is released into the air from the particle board.
What is the best material for a sofa?
The part of the sofa that you come in contact with the most is the fabric, so it’s a good thing to focus on. You’d think a good place to start would be natural fibers like cotton and linen. But not so fast! Cotton is treated heavily with pesticides when grown conventionally. Organic cotton would be a slam-dunk winner, but there aren’t very many upholstery companies that offer that as an option. Linen is better because it’s grown with fewer pesticides, but it is typically more expensive. Also know that once you decide to go with a natural material, it will have most likely been bleached or dyed by, you guessed it, a chemical.
What is a sofa frame made of?
Sofa frames can be made from inexpensive particle board, solid wood , and a bunch of other materials (for more on sofa frame construction visit our blog on it here ). We don’t recommend purchasing any furniture (upholstered or wood) made of MDF or particle board.
Is latex foam more expensive than polyurethane?
First, some latex foam is blended with a petroleum product. Latex foam is also a lot more expensive then polyurethane foam, so depending upon your budget, it may not be an option. And lastly, there are very few sofa manufacturers that offer latex foam, so you’re limited in style options.
Does wood finish cause VOC?
The Issue: Finishes. Most pieces of upholstery has some visible wood, which is why it’s worth mentioning that wood finishes tend to be a source of VOC emissions. Luckily, there are a lot of low-VOC finish options available and manufacturers readily advertise if they use low-VOC finishes.
Is furniture toxic?
And sadly, furniture isn’t innocent. The problem is that plenty of manufacturers use toxic materials, from glue to foam to finishes. In fact, many of the products used in furniture construction can contain cancer-causing chemicals. You can’t avoid them completely, but you can greatly minimize your exposure by shopping for less-toxic products.
Can you get a seat cushion without foam?
You can’t get a seat cushion without foam, and most foam is made from petroleum. Called polyurethane foam, it’s full of chemicals that may off-gas in your home. Making matters worse is that polyurethane foam has been traditionally treated with flame-retardants, which proved to be an even bigger health issue.
Is flame retardant bad for you?
Recently, people have realized that flame retardants are largely unnecessary and causing more harm then good. As a result, manufacturers are moving away from using flame-retardants here in the U.S. (though imported furniture may still contain fire retardants).
What are the most common toxins in furniture?
10 Toxins in Furniture. 1. Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a colorless chemical with a strong odor that is commonly found in pressed-wood products, glues, adhesives, plywood, fabrics, and product coatings.
How to get rid of toxins in furniture?
As promised, below are several ways you can naturally get rid of, or at least minimize, the levels of these toxins in furniture. 1. Air Purifiers and PCO Cleaners. Investing in a great air filter, like this one or this one, can go a long way in removing dangerous chemicals hanging around in the air from your furniture.
Can baking soda be used as a deodorizer?
Many VOCs are acidic in nature. Because of this, using alkaline baking soda as a deodorizer and to trap harmful gases, may provide some relief. ( 15) To do this, simply sprinkle baking soda over furniture or carpets and use the brush attachment on your vacuum to work it into the fabric.
Is vinyl acetate a carcinogen?
Most of its effects involve the respiratory system, and include coughing and inflammation. While the EPA hasn’t classified it as a carcinogen, it states that studies have found, “an increased incidence of nasal cavity tumors … observed in rats exposed by inhalation.” ( 7 )
Is it exciting to buy new furniture?
Buying new furniture is an exciting time. Perhaps you’re decorating a new home, or finally treating yourself to a new (amazingly comfortable!) mattress. Unfortunately, there’s a side to furniture shopping not many consumers know about.
Is trichloroethylene a carcinogen?
Apparently, the fact that it is classified as a known human carcinogen still doesn’t stop the U.S. from using around 250 million pounds per year in manufacturing.
The Toxic Chemicals Commonly Found in Couches & Upholstered Furniture
What makes a couch toxic? Well, there are a lot of different things to consider, from the raw materials used to the additives applied to the foams and fabrics. Let’s break it down:
Where to Get the Best Non-Toxic Sofas, Couches, Armchairs, & Ottomans
I know the above info about all of the potential toxins in your couch can be overwhelming, BUT the good news is that there are some really great brands offering non-toxic sofas, loveseats, sectionals, armchairs, and ottomans to help you create a safer living space. Here are our favorites:
Conclusion
No one wants harmful chemicals all over the furniture where they relax, binge Netflix, nap, and snuggle with loved ones.
