HOW TO DETOXIFY YOUR HOME

Know the Toxins

BEDROOM

1. Your mattress should be made of natural materials like cotton, wool or organic materials.  Then you need to be sure that the wool was sheared from sheep who were untreated.
2. Make sure the mattress (and pad) have no synthetic material (foams, glues, chemicals), no mothproofing or fire retardants.
3. The frame should be built without toxic glues, particle board, chemical stains or paint.
4. It is important that your mattress does not support mold and mildew and can absorb and release moisture.
5. Use a tightly woven organic cotton barrier cloth that does not allow dust mites.
6. Launder bedding with unscented, non-chlorinated soap.

When replacing carpeting be sure to look for natural fibers.  If you already have carpeting that is a few years old, the chemicals have probably already off-gassed.  Carpet is associated with more and more health problems.  Toxic chemicals are in the fiber bonding material (glue), dyes, backing glues, fire retardants latex binders, fungicides, antimicrobial, antistatic and stain resistant treatments.  These are all the great advances we have been sold on all these years to offer us better use.  It is all toxic.

There are wallpapers now that are being manufactured responsibly, mainstream wallpapers like York Wallcoverings have collections that are beautiful and safe.  Vinyl wallpaper out-gasses toxic fumes.   The glues used to adhere wallpaper can be a problem and water can be trapped behind the wallpaper and cause mold.   There are many wall treatments available today that are safe and green.  One such wall covering takes a mixture of natural fibers and minerals in a high- density composition that is troweled on the wall and provides acoustical benefits as well as safe ambiance.

Paint is available in low VOC and no VOC alternatives.  That strong and annoying odor of new paint is dangerous.  You should stay out of the room until the smell is gone.

There are a million choices for window coverings today.  The fabrics for your window treatments should be natural (non-synthetic) and be free of formaldehyde and flame retardant.  Manufacturers have become more responsible in the materials used to make shades and blinds.  The products that are safe will usually be certified.  

Here is a link that has lots of great information, check it for answers to any questions you may have.  http://www.greenguard.org/en/index.aspx