Healthy Materials, Happier Homes
What VOC-Free Really Means
Zero can legally mean under specific thresholds, not absolute absence. U.S. rules often allow up to 5 grams per liter, and colorants can reintroduce solvents unless matched with low-emission tints. Some solvents are exempt yet still irritating. Always request third-party chamber data, confirm tint systems, and consider a small-room test before scheduling large work.
Textile Certifications You Can Trust
GOTS addresses the entire supply chain for organic fibers, including dyes, wastewater, and social criteria. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 focuses on finished-product safety, useful for bedding and baby items. Complement with Responsible Wool Standard, Leather Working Group ratings, and MADE SAFE screens. Cross-reference labels, then touch, smell, and test swatches to ensure comfort and compatibility.
Reading Material Declarations
Health Product Declarations summarize ingredients and hazards; Environmental Product Declarations quantify impacts like carbon and water. Look for 100% ingredient disclosure, no proprietary black boxes, and emissions tested to ISO 16000 or CDPH. If transparency is partial, request clarifications or choose an alternative with clearer data.
Walls, Floors, and Wood: Safer Coatings That Perform
Natural Textiles That Love Your Skin and the Planet
Choosing Fibers for Function and Feel
Linen excels in breathability and strength, cotton offers softness and easy care, hemp resists abrasion, wool self-extinguishes and manages humidity, and lyocell drapes with cool smoothness. Mix strategically: linen-cotton for sheets, wool-hemp for rugs, silk-wool for drapery. Test swatches against skin and daylight to confirm color, texture, and sheen.
Weaves, Finishes, and Hidden Chemicals
Percale and sateen change airflow and hand feel, while mechanical finishing can soften without softeners. Avoid wrinkle-free, stain-resistant, or antimicrobial claims that often signal formaldehyde resins, PFAS, or biocides. Choose chlorine-free wool, low-impact dyes, and undyed options when colorfastness is less critical, embracing patina and honest, evolving tones over time.
Upholstery and Window Treatments
Ask about backings, glues, and flame strategies, not just face fabrics. Favor natural latex or mechanical interlinings over chemical flame retardants, and wool felt for acoustic damping. For blackout curtains, consider layered natural fibers with tight weaves, accepting slight glow in exchange for fewer coatings and a calmer indoor environment.