When replacing old—or buying new—furniture and mattresses, consider furniture without chemical flame retardants. The potential health effects from flame retardants range from organ damage to hormone disruption to cancer development and have been worrisome for years.
Full Answer
Do you have flame retardants in your couch?
And there's a good chance your couch contains them. Back in the 1970s, the state of California introduced strict flammability standards for upholstered furniture sold there. To meet these standards, manufacturers added flame-retardant chemicals to foam used in furniture sold everywhere.
Does Ashley Furniture use flame retardant chemicals?
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).
Does Pottery Barn make furniture without flame retardant?
Now for the good news: Thanks to a key policy change in California fire safety standards, mainstream furniture manufacturers like Pottery Barn and Ikea now produce sofas and sectionals without flame retardant chemicals. Suddenly consumers can choose from a multitude of fire retardant-free furniture options.
Are IKEA sofas flame retardant free?
According to its customer service representative, all its sofas are free of chemical flame retardants. The chain has hundreds of leather and fabric sofa options, many in the $1,000 to $3,000 range. Finding a non-toxic sofa doesn’t have to be expensive. All Ikea couches manufactured after January 1, 2015, are made without chemical flame retardants.
How can I get furniture without flame retardants?
Here are seven companies that produce flame retardant-free furniture:Ashley Furniture.Crate and Barrel.Endicott Home.Ethan Allen.IKEA.Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams.Roger + Chris.
Does all furniture have flame retardants?
Your couch should have a tag stating if flame retardants are present. If you have upholstered furniture manufactured before 2015 it is likely to contain flame retardants. However, you might be able to replace the foam with healthier flame retardant-free material and keep the furniture.
Are IKEA couches flame retardant-free?
All Ikea couches manufactured after January 1, 2015, are made without chemical flame retardants.
Are Ashley Furniture couches non toxic?
Ashley Furniture is not non-toxic. Although the large furniture brand did phase out toxic flame retardants (which is definitely a win!), it still uses other potentially harmful materials such as engineered wood, harsh glues and finishes, and PFAS-containing treatments.
Does Ashley Furniture use flame retardant?
Ashley Furniture 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).
Can new furniture make you sick?
Imagine buying a new furniture set and noticing a strong, chemical odor in your house days, even months later. 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.
Is Pottery Barn furniture really non toxic?
Pottery Barn makes it easy to find healthy and sustainable dressers and shelves with their 'certified non-toxic' and 'sustainably sourced' labels.
Is wayfair furniture toxic?
The testing of five pieces of laminate flooring and five composite wood furniture items was done following a November New York Times article which, Tilson said, highlighted the company's "gross incompetence" and poor business model, while revealing that Wayfair was, "likely selling toxic, formaldehyde drenched Chinese- ...
Does lazyboy use formaldehyde?
Many of the materials we utilize do not have volatile organic emissions or are extremely low such as water-based adhesives and TSCA Title VI / California Air Resource Board composite-wood formaldehyde air emissions compliant materials. In addition, we have not had any major on-site spills during Fiscal 2021.
Is Ethan Allen furniture non toxic?
Around each frame, our artisans wrap low-VOC, CertiPUR-US® certified fiber batting and foam—no harmful ozone depleters, carcinogenic flame retardants, or formaldehyde, just a foundation for years of comfort and coziness.
Is IKEA furniture formaldehyde free?
Formaldehyde is forbidden in all paint and lacquers used for IKEA products. A continuous work is ongoing together with the industry to reduce formaldehyde, to improve material and production methods and reach efficient industrial production capacity. There is no need to worry.
Does IKEA furniture have Prop 65 warning?
For example, any phthalates that are on the Prop 65 list are banned by IKEA's internal chemical usage policies, so you're not likely to see a Prop 65 on any IKEA products for that reason.
Do couches have flame retardants?
Most older couches and easy chairs contain tris or other worrisome flame retardants. Duke University will test foam from your furniture for free . You can buy new, flame retardant-free foam if you choose to reupholster older furniture.
When did furniture become fire retardant?
1988The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended in 1989, 1993 and 2010) set levels of fire resistance for domestic upholstered furniture, furnishings and other products containing upholstery.
Are sofas flame retardant?
Your living room sofa will almost certainly be covered in a flame retardant. These chemicals help to prevent ignition from stray cigarettes or neglected candles and slow the spread of fire. The most common flame retardants work by interfering with the chemistry of burning.
Does Broyhill use flame retardants?
In light of the scary effects of flame retardants, a growing number of manufacturers have decided to remove them from their furniture altogether. This includes Crate and Barrel (and its affiliates CB2 and The Land of Nod), Ikea, Ashley Furniture, Broyhill, and La-Z-Boy.
What are flame retardants?
Flame retardants are chemicals that are used in furniture pieces and mattresses to slow down the spread of flames in the event of a fire.
What is a natural alternative to flame retardants?
Organic wool batting is a natural flame barrier, eliminating the need for chemical flame retardants. However, because organic wool is expensive, it’s not a commonly used flame barrier in the mattress and furniture industry.
Are flame retardants dangerous?
It is reported that there has been a rapid increase in PBDEs found in both humans and wildlife, particularly in North America.
When did flame retardants stop being made?
While the manufacturers listed below have eliminated chemical flame retardants from products manufactured after January 1, 2015, they may still sell their 2014 stock (with the exception of Room & Board).
Do furniture manufacturers have to label their products in California?
Even more good news: As of January 1 of this year, furniture manufacturers must label products they want to sell in the state of California, clearly indicating whether each piece contains flame retardants. These revolutionary changes will take the guesswork – and the chemicals – out of sofa shopping.
Is Ikea sofa flame retardant?
Finding a non-toxic sofa doesn ’t have to be expensive. All Ikea couches manufactured after January 1, 2015, are made without chemical flame retardants. But until Ikea sells out its 2014 stock, check product labels to ensure that you are buying a 2015 flame retardant chemical-free model.
Does Room and Board use flame retardants?
Room & Board led the pack on this issue by stopping the use chemical fire retardants in all their furniture in July of last year. According to its customer service representative, all its sofas are free of chemical flame retardants. The chain has hundreds of leather and fabric sofa options, many in the $1,000 to $3,000 range.
Does West Elm sofa contain flame retardant?
Same goes for West Elm and Pottery Barn: according to their customer service representatives, all couches made after January 1, 2015, do not contain added chemical flame retardants. Again, check with customer service – or the TB 117-2013 label – to confirm that your sofa was made in 2015.
Does Design Within Reach sell sofas?
Design Within Reach sells select sofa collections made without flame retardants. According to its customer service, these include the Bantam, Camber, Flight, Goodland, Parallel, Portola, Raleigh, Reid and Soto Collections. The company uses the new TB 117-2013 label. Check for it when purchasing your couch.
Can you get a custom made couch made with fire retardant?
If you have your heart set on a couch made with fire retardants, it is worth checking with the manufacturer to see if you could get a custom-made couch. Even if the answer is no, it is important for companies to hear that this is an issue that consumers care about.
Is Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams eco friendly?
In its online Eco Statement, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams commit to “ [cushions] free of fire-retardant chemicals,” plus other environmentally friendly measures. Its couches are available at its signature stores and some third-party vendors.
Does California have a law on flame retardant?
California law doesn’t ban the chemicals but it requires that their presence be disclosed on the labels of any furniture made in or after 2015. If you don’t see a label, you need to ask the manufacturer whether flame retardant chemicals are in the upholstered product.
Is Ethan Allen furniture flame retardant?
Ethan Allen is one of a growing number of furniture companies whose websites state that their products are made without added flame retardant chemicals.
Do crate and barrel couches contain flame retardants?
As of Jan. 1, 2015, all newly manufactured Crate and Barrel couches contain no chemical flame retardants.
Is there a flammability standard for polyurethane foam?
Many companies across the nation have already met California’s 2014 flammability standard that allows furniture manufacturers to stop using harmful flame retardant chemicals in polyurethane foam. And the momentum to keep these chemicals out of furniture continues as similar legislation in other states has been passed.
Does Ashley Furniture have fire retardant?
One of the nation’s largest furniture retailers, Ashley Furniture announced. (link is external) that it would stop adding fire retardant chemical s to products made in 2015 or after. All products are labeled according to California’s flame retardant law. 2.
Is there a danger in buying a couch before 2015?
If you purchased your sofa before 2015, there’s a good chance the manufacturer treated the cushion foam with toxic flame retardant chemicals linked to cancer and hormone disruption. As evidence of the dangers of flame retardants mount, we hope that even more flame retardant-free couches will be available soon.
How does flame retardant affect children?
Flame retardant exposure is especially concerning for children because their skin absorbs more chemicals than adults’ skin does, resulting in increased cancer risk when exposed to these substances for long periods of time or at high levels. Exposure to flame retardants may eventually lead them to develop learning difficulties as well as reduced fertility.
What to Look For in a Non-Toxic Sofa?
There are more and more companies offering eco-friendly sofas made from organic materials and natural fillings, such as organic latex or wool and free from fire retardants. Some companies offer foam fillings with a Certi-Pur certificate, which have to meet strict requirements regarding the use of chemicals. When shopping for an organic couch, consider the following:
Why are organic couches so expensive?
Although non toxic couches and organic sofas can be expensive, it’s a price worth paying as they help you reduce you exposure to toxic chemicals.
What are non toxic couches made of?
The removable covers on these non toxic couches are made from organic cotton, organic wool, or linen combined with OEKO-Tex certified coconut coir. The chemical-free sofas and non toxic sectionals come with either modern, contemporary design or classic design in a selection of colors.
How much does a Kapok floor couch cost?
If your budget is limited, try their floor couch which only includes kapok base and cushions, the price starts at $572.80.
How long does it take for a non toxic couch to arrive?
Your non toxic couch will take 8 to 10 weeks to be delivered and it comes with a lifetime warranty for the sofa frame.
What is the difference between Certipurus and FSC certified wood?
The FSC-certified wood ensures tables are strong enough to last generations while CertiPURUS® certified foams keep your couch cushions feeling fresh with non-toxic ingredients you can feel good about!
History
Adverse Effects
New Standard Enacted
- When replacing old—or buying new—furniture and mattresses, consider furniture without chemical flame retardants. The potential health effects from flame retardants range from organ damage to hormone disruption to cancer development and have been worrisome for years. Take steps to get chemical flame retardants out of your home and out of your body b...
No Flame Retardant Chemicals at The Stated Home