2024-04-29 22:57
This article is an investigation and review of non-toxic candles from Amazon. This is what I look for in a non-toxic candle: Lead-Free Wicks Lead wicks have been officially banned for sale a… Read More
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Building, renovating and decorating a non-toxic house.
2024-04-27 20:12
I have flown by airplane 13 times when severely or very chemically sensitive and mold sensitive. These are my tips for surviving a plane ride while environmentally sensitive. I’ve also… Read More
2024-04-26 22:40
This is an email conversation with Carolyn LaViolette, Senior Strategist, Communications at 3M in April 2024. I asked if all Scotchgard coatings are now free of Per- and Polyfluorinated Subs… Read More
2024-04-26 22:03
I tested out both Branch Basics Concentrate and Force of Nature (I used a knockoff brand but I will compare the specs of the real Force of Nature). I will compare them on their ingredients… Read More
2024-04-25 23:13
While all carpets from Home Depot would technically be considered non-toxic and low-VOC, in this article I’m looking at which Home Depot lines have the lowest perceptible VOC levels ou… Read More
2024-04-24 22:31
I tested out both Branch Basics Concentrate and Thieves Cleaner. I will compare them on their ingredients, cost, eco-friendly specs, and more. I prefer Branch Basics even though it’s a… Read More
2024-04-24 19:52
What is Prop 65 Proposition 65 is a warning label for Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Any product tha… Read More
2024-04-20 20:06
I don’t know of any spray paints that are officially FDA food contact safe, though there is one that needs USDA requirements. I will also list some alternatives and sealers you can use… Read More
2024-04-17 21:52
There are a variety of underlayments used under wood floors, click-together floating floors, as well as carpet and tile. Underlay can serve various functions like cushioning, sound deadening… Read More
2024-04-16 19:47
I tried both of these toothpastes firsthand and I am also comparing them on ingredients and cost. Comparison Overview Tom’s Claims Tom’s Simply White toothpaste claims to be… Read More
2024-04-15 21:21
Which type of bathroom flooring is both non-toxic and truly waterproof? There are now tons of flooring options that describe themselves as waterproof that I don’t think are adequate fo… Read More
2024-04-15 20:53
A proper futon mattress is a mattress with no foam and no springs, so that is what this article will focus on. For non-toxic and natural fills we have cotton, wool, and kapok or a mix of two… Read More
2024-04-15 19:31
This is a look at what chemicals are used when Microban is listed as the antimicrobial on a building material or household product. Microban could be six different chemicals incorporated int… Read More
2024-04-14 21:53
I tried both of these toothpastes firsthand and I am also comparing them on ingredients and cost. Comparison Overview Tom’s of Maine claims to be 100% natural (even though Xa… Read More
2024-04-13 20:29
There are so many excellent choices for non-toxic, healthy, green insulation, there should be one to fit everyone’s needs. Look out for Greenwashing There are many new options that cla… Read More
2024-04-12 22:25
Conventional Cabinets & VOCs Conventional cabinets can be a significant source of VOCs in the kitchen – with all of the low and mid-range brands using particleboard or MDF at least… Read More
2024-04-12 20:23
I’ve been using Hello Toothpaste Natural Whitening Anticavity Flouride Toothpaste in Mint to Be for three weeks now. Before that, I used the Tom’s of Maine and Burt’s Bees… Read More
2024-04-10 21:58
I tested out these six PFAS-free dental flosses. Some are synthetic, some are all-natural, some are biodegradable (to various degrees), one is unflavored. I have listed out the ingredients i… Read More
2024-04-10 00:53
When I set out to write about eco-friendly wallpaper I thought this would be a pretty straightforward exercise of looking at the VOC levels of the inks. It turned out that newer wallpaper ma… Read More
2024-04-09 22:10
First, a History of “Whack A Mole” on Toxic Solvent-Based Strippers Pre-1970s, benzene was a popular paint stripper, it was later determined to be toxic in multiple ways. It was… Read More
2024-04-09 22:03
This is a look into non-toxic furniture, starting with specialty brands – those are mostly high-quality solid wood options with zero-VOC finishes. Then on to simple and affordable furn… Read More
2024-04-09 20:37
Fabrics, especially those for furniture, and carpets are typically treated for soil, stain, and water resistance with per-and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Scotchguard is one well-know… Read More
2024-04-09 19:34
The search for non-toxic spray paint was not a straightforward one, it took a lot of searching through brands, looking at ingredient lists, and even testing some myself. I started by looking… Read More
2024-04-08 22:56
There are lots of choices for non-toxic sealants and non-toxic paints for terra-cotta planters and pots in this article that are not widely known. Almost all of the conventional recommendati… Read More
2024-04-08 22:29
There are a number of chemicals of concern that are commonly found in artificial grass/synthetic turf that I will go over in this article. I also will note which companies are free of these… Read More
2024-04-08 22:23
The following air beds are PVC-free (polyvinyl chloride-free) and are made of safer plastics that have less odor, less offgassing, and are better tolerated by the chemically sensitive. TPU (… Read More
2024-04-08 22:09
The official recommendation for paint for bathroom walls, especially if you don’t have a good bathroom exhaust fan, is to use a satin or semi-gloss sheen acrylic paint so that the wate… Read More
2024-04-03 20:31
The most common home gym flooring type is rubber. This is unfortunately one of the highest offgassing flooring types out there. Another popular option, vinyl sheet, is also up there as one o… Read More
2024-03-24 21:21
We will look at a few areas of possible concern with mattresses: IKEA mattresses are top of the line in terms of safety and chemicals amongst polyurethane mattresses in my opinion. As someon… Read More
2024-03-23 22:16
Flame retardants are inevitable in a modern home. Flame retardants are unavoidable in appliances and electronic items. They also inevitably come into the house on our clothing from cars. The… Read More
2024-03-23 21:47
Fabric Softener is often mentioned as being able to remove flame retardant (FR) due to the warning against using it on treated fabrics. However, it does not actually remove the FR chemicals… Read More
2024-03-22 21:54
I’ve been using Burt’s Bees Charcoal + Whitening Flouride Toothpaste in Mountain Mint for 2 weeks now. I will also compare it to the brand’s non-fluoride options and their… Read More
2024-03-20 22:46
When choosing a Benjamin Moore paint line first consider where it falls in the quality range, the VOC level, and additional features. Chemicals to be aware of include VOCs, APEs, PFAS, Prop… Read More
2024-03-18 20:54
When choosing products for your baby’s nursery, it’s so important to find safe and chemical-free products! Glider chairs are no exception. These chairs, designed for parents and… Read More
2024-03-11 19:34
Richard, a reader of this site, was kind enough to review the Medley sofa. He does have chemical sensitivities so this can help others who are sensitive. We also do a general review of its q… Read More
2024-03-05 21:01
I tested superglue which is a solvent-based glue that does cure very fast. If you want something that is lower odor when wet and solvent-free I suggest two alternatives. This article contain… Read More
2024-03-04 23:29
I’ve been using Tom’s of Maine Natural Simply White Fluoride Toothpaste in Sweet Mint for 6 months now. Before that, I used the Tom’s of Maine Fluoride Children’s Too… Read More
2024-03-02 22:24
The biggest concern of mine with more typical cat litter (clay/bentonite-based) is the level of lead as well as silica dust. I’m also concerned with wood dust in some types. These thre… Read More
2024-03-01 19:45
Natural linoleum is true linoleum. Nowadays, vinyl sheet flooring is often called linoleum, but be aware these are very different products. (And that is technically not the accurate word for… Read More
2024-02-27 23:22
This article is going to get right to the point. How much does wool carpet cost – how much is the carpet itself per square foot by brand in 2024 and how much does it typically cost whe… Read More
2024-02-24 23:36
I went on a search for 100% plant-based cleaning products, or plant and mineral-based – in other words with no synthetic ingredients that are 100% biodegradable. Some products advertis… Read More
2024-02-21 06:33
These days there are many organic mattress options for kids who are sensitive to harsh chemicals and for families who want an eco-friendly lifestyle. Organic mattresses are perfect for littl… Read More
2024-02-20 20:24
This article covers the sources of mold growth in vehicles – high humidity storage, spills, leaks, and design malfunctions – and how to clean them up and prevent them. Two engine… Read More
2024-02-20 20:12
This article covers the biggest sources of mold growth in vehicles – the AC system and heating system. I go into detail on the four methods used to clean the AC/HVAC system out, from t… Read More
2024-02-19 21:40
Threatened with Lawsuits Over Ingredients In the beginning, the company was using a supplier who provided the product but did not provide a fully transparent ingredient list. After questioni… Read More
2024-02-17 21:39
This is a review of Grove Co’s Concentrate Multi-Purpose cleaner and Bathroom cleaner versus Branch Basics’ Concentrate All-Purpose cleaner. I compare these on their ingredient s… Read More
2024-02-16 20:59
Choosing construction adhesives can be one of the more overwhelming parts of material selection for a build. However, just like with caulking sealants, the same types of low-VOC polymers are… Read More
2024-02-14 20:52
This post will go through the techniques used to help promote offgassing of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a new car. That “new car smell” is made up of VOCs and we can… Read More
2024-02-14 20:46
Less toxic cars have lower interior VOC levels, are free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) aka vinyl, brominated flame retardants, and use chrome-free leather. Unfortunately, alternate flame retar… Read More
2024-02-05 21:30
The following paints and primers have been used successfully to block emissions by those sensitive to VOCs, fragrance, smoke smell and more. 1. AFM Transitional Primer AFM Transitional Prime… Read More
2024-01-24 19:15
New fridges have a number of offgassing odors that are coming from the glues, rubber seals, and the plastic. If you want to take a look at which new fridge brands have lower offgassing see t… Read More
2024-01-22 00:12
Sorry to start this way, but the other articles on non-toxic cutting boards all contained misinformation on what really is in these different materials. In this article, I aim to cover all t… Read More
2024-01-21 21:07
This is a comparison and review of all the mattresses that are GreenGuard Gold. I also compare them on other factors as well like: organic certifications, CertiPUR certification, flame retar… Read More
2024-01-20 22:31
You don’t have to use a detergent marketed towards babies for your little ones’ clothes and diapers. However, you do want to use a gentle formula free of common allergens. These… Read More
2024-01-17 21:16
There are not many options for a truly non-toxic recliner. Only one company makes one with materials that go above and beyond the conventional polyurethane and polyester materials. I then fo… Read More
2024-01-14 20:20
When choosing a rug for a nursery I would go further into non-toxic credentials than I would for a rug for adults. The top priority chemicals to avoid would be PFAS/PFCS (Per- and Polyfluori… Read More
2024-01-11 21:53
These are the most affordable non-toxic mattresses. Made from natural organic materials, natural latex, or low-VOC foam, these mattresses come in under $1000 which is a really good price the… Read More
2024-01-09 20:11
These bath mats are made from the safest plastics. They are all PVC (polyvinyl chloride)-free, as PVC mats tend to have a high offgassing odor. If you are extremely sensitive to plastic you… Read More
2024-01-08 22:12
IKEA tends to be best in class when it comes to non-toxic materials. They use the lowest offgassing materials that are available at the time. Many of their beds below are made from metal or… Read More
2024-01-08 20:37
Updated Winter 2023/2024 This is a complete list of eco-friendly non-toxic sofa brands. I start with the best of the best non-toxic sofas, digging into what’s really in them, this is f… Read More
2024-01-03 20:02
This is a non-spoonsored non-affiliate review of Kahrs Oak Lecco flooring. This engineer wood flooring has a real oak wear layer and a solid slat substrate. This finish is the mat lacquer: … Read More
2024-01-02 22:10
Essential oils can be used to kill bacteria, mold, and odors caused by those microbes and they can break down synthetic fragrance. When companies claim that their essential oils “purif… Read More
2024-01-01 21:56
It’s tough for scent-sensitive folks when their washing machine becomes fragranced due to someone washing fragranced clothes or using fragranced detergent in their washing machine. The… Read More
2023-12-30 20:25
The foundation may seem like a simple or straightforward part of a build. In reality, there are many key areas of concern here when building a mold preventative build. There are also many sm… Read More
2023-12-29 23:49
There are two main roofing materials that are used by chemically sensitive folks or those avoiding toxins – asphalt shingles or standing seam metal roofs. The most extremely sensitive… Read More
2023-12-26 20:40
While all Home Depot flooring would technically be considered non-toxic, this article looks at the very best of the Home Depot brands – the ones that have no offgassing or ultra-low of… Read More
2023-12-18 22:07
Before getting an air purifier for a basement, especially if it has a musty smell, be sure to correct the source of the odor. Then we can employ air purifiers that work best on mold –… Read More
2023-12-05 21:05
It’s a bummer when you have to compromise on performance when using non-toxic products. However, when it comes to carpet and rug spot cleaners and deodorizers there are some good optio… Read More
2023-12-04 21:41
. I interviewed Deb about her experience with Forbo Marmoleum Cinch Loc Seal, Forbo’s newest version of their click-together Marmoleum. They claim it is waterproof and also made withou… Read More
2023-12-01 20:53
You can seal in the “new carpet odor” (volatile organic compounds – VOCs )of the carpet with the AFM carpet sealing system. This system effectively blocks about 60-80% of t… Read More
2023-11-28 20:44
According to SGS, multiple states will have proposed or passed bills banning per-fluoroalkyl or poly-fluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) in the sales and distribution of carpets, rugs, fabric treat… Read More
2023-11-26 22:14
Cigarette smoke contains greasy tar residue and although the odor can be strong and pervasive there are many effective strategies to get rid of it. 1. Vinegar and lemon Vinegar and lemon or… Read More
2023-11-19 20:46
The Loom Hooked Eco Cotton Rugs are hand woven from recycled cotton fiber. They don’t use latex backing found on all other hooked rugs. Though most people do pare it with a natural lat… Read More
2023-11-04 21:00
Unfortunately, lead is common in hardware including knobs, pulls and door knobs. Based on testing from Tamara Rubin, we have learned that so many knob materials contain lead that it’s… Read More
2023-11-03 21:14
This is a step-by-step method to remove Nature’s Miracle smell. You don’t need to go through every step, just go as far as needed until you are happy with the results. The smell… Read More
2023-11-01 20:59
Oils labeled as “teak oil” or “Danish oil” from hardware stores are usually a mix of oils like linseed and tung, solvents, and possibly resins, UV inhibitors, and mil… Read More
2023-10-25 23:05
How long volatile organic compounds (VOCs) last after painting primarily depends on which type of paint you used. Oil-based solvent-based paints are drastically different from the best 0-VOC… Read More
2023-10-21 23:00
The most non-toxic disinfectants for the home are made with the active ingredients of hydrogen peroxide, hypocholours acid (HOCL), or thymol. The simplest and purest product will be HOCL bec… Read More
2023-10-14 22:52
If you are struggling to tolerate the offgassing of a new house after using the strategies in the article on how to bring down new house offgassing you can create a sealed off “safe ro… Read More
2023-10-13 20:31
This article is going to go through step-by-step what you need to do to offgas those new carpet VOC chemicals. You do not need to do every step, only go as far as you need to solve the probl… Read More
2023-10-12 19:40
The best solution to indoor air contaminants is dilution, by a long shot. This solution works much better than air purifiers. An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) or heat recovery ventilator… Read More
2023-10-04 21:20
There are three types of bamboo flooring that can be extremely low in VOCs – strand woven solid, bamboo with a plywood core, and bamboo with a stone polymer composite (SPC) core. I wil… Read More
2023-09-22 22:09
This article goes over the best non-toxic wood glues, carpenter glues, yellow glues, and white glues. The options range from synthetics that are zero-VOC to totally natural options. There wi… Read More
2023-09-16 21:09
When choosing non-toxic window frame materials, windows made of thermally broken aluminum are the top choice, and that is the preferred choice of those highly chemically sensitive. My second… Read More
2023-09-15 22:51
When choosing a Sherwin-Williams paint line first consider where it falls in the quality range, the VOC level, and additional features like is it washable. Also note, not all paint lines can… Read More
2023-09-14 19:50
Many vintage glassware items are not microwave safe; Depression glass can shatter in the microwave, according to the National Depression Glass Association. So keeping in mind that most vinta… Read More
2023-09-12 19:01
The following explains which PFAS are completely limited by Oeko-Tex, which are indirectly limited, and when all fabric categories, including sofas, will be completely free of Per- and Polyf… Read More
2023-09-06 00:22
This post involved a lot of research! In the end I have a solid list of non-toxic toaster ovens, which includes convection oven types and air fryer toaster ovens. I have messaged and talked… Read More
2023-09-04 23:49
The majority of anti-fatigue mats are made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride aka vinyl), SBR rubber (styrene-butadiene rubber), polyurethane foam, or a mix of those materials. PVC and SBR gene… Read More
2023-09-04 00:20
These are the lowest-VOC metallic paints that can be used on walls, furniture, decor, arts and crafts. Only paints intended for walls will offer some insight into the VOC levels. Paints for… Read More
2023-08-13 22:46
In 2021, I tested 64 ceramic and porcelain tiles for lead. They were selected from 5 major vendors in the US and were tested with a handheld x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer by a qualified… Read More
2023-08-11 21:04
The following four non-toxic cleaners are likely the only products are you will need to clean any type of flooring. In some cases it’s vitally important to know what kind of finish you… Read More
2023-08-09 21:50
We will start with non-toxic paints and sealers that have full disclosure from the companies on how long the paint or sealer takes to cure and finish offgassing so we know when our reptile p… Read More
2023-08-01 21:56
Air purifiers with activated carbon plus additional sorbent materials targeted to formaldehyde are the best option for removing formaldehyde from your indoor air. You generally need a lot of… Read More
2023-07-24 20:46
Alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs), a group of chemicals that includes nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) and octylphenol ethoxylates (OPEs). They are chemicals of concern commonly used as surfactan… Read More
2023-07-02 20:07
Intro from Corinne ECOS Paint has consistently been the top pick of wall paint amongst the chemically sensitive and it’s a great choice for anyone who wants a low-tox option. I have te… Read More
2023-06-26 18:33
Natural linoleum is true linoleum. Nowadays, vinyl sheet flooring is often called linoleum, but be aware these are very different products. (And that is technically not the accurate word for… Read More
2023-06-24 19:08
When I was growing up I always had a pet rabbit, one was a giant named Pablo who had a very colorful hutch. Back in the day, we did not think at all about the toxicity of the paint. While mo… Read More
2023-06-24 00:07
This post offers some innovative natural cork brands that have gone above and beyond the norm to create non-toxic and 0-VOC products. Most cork flooring is click-together and made with a hig… Read More
2023-06-23 20:11
Air purifiers with activated carbon are the best option for dealing with chemical pollutants or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). You generally need a lot of carbon (and other sorbent mater… Read More
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