Choosing Safer Products: Furniture
Choosing Safer Products: Furniture, a listing of products to choose and to avoid.
| PRODUCT TYPE: |
 |
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| Upholstered furniture: chairs, couches, ottomans, etc. | Furniture from companies that do
not use toxic flame retardants (PBDEs) in foam or upholstery. Companies include:
Furniture containing PBDEs will be banned in Washington in 2011! Furniture not treated with stain-resistant chemicals (such as Teflon and Stainmaster). Microfibers are ok. |
Furniture treated with toxic
flame retardants (PBDEs) or stain-resistant coatings (Teflon chemicals).
Do not apply stain-resistance treatments yourself. Artificial leather, which can be made of vinyl/PVC. |
| Solid furniture: tables, chairs, shelves, dressers, cabinets, etc. | Furniture made of these
materials:
|
Manufactured wood (such as plywood and particleboard) that contains formaldehyde-based glues.
Plastic furniture made of vinyl/PVC. |
| Furniture covers (slipcovers) | Fabric covers without
stain-resistant coatings (Teflon chemicals). Microfibers and other non-chemical treatments are ok. |
Covers made of vinyl/PVC.
Covers treated with stain-resistant coatings (Teflon chemicals). |
| PRODUCT TYPE: |
 |
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| Inflatable furniture | Solid or upholstered furniture instead (see above). | Inflatable furniture is
typically made of vinyl/PVC and should be avoided. |
| Bean bags | Bean bags with cloth covers and no polyurethane foam, such as Target Basic Bean Bag. |
Bean bags with vinyl/PVC covers or polyurethane foam. |
Healthy Tips!
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If you’re not sure whether a piece of furniture contains toxic flame retardants (PBDEs), ask the manufacturer. If they are not able to tell you, consider an alternative.
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If you already own furniture that may contain PBDEs, cover and seal any rips in upholstery and replace old items where foam is exposed, loose, and crumbling.
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Consider replacing furniture made of manufactured wood that contains formaldehyde-based glues. You can also apply a sealant, available at EcoHaus, to contain the formaldehyde.
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