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Get Answers: Safe High Chair Replacement Cover
Healthy Child
Friday, September 03, 2010
Jessica Carleton asks:
I need a replacement cover for my graco highchair. I was contemplating trying to sew my own, and oil cloth had been suggested...but then I read it is all pvc and that might not be the best choice for my little one to be hanging out in. Thoughts/ideas/suggestions?
ANSWER:
Marimekko is a high-end oil cloth that is phthalate-free PVC, but there is also an alternative known as polyurethane laminated cotton (e.g. Amy Butler PUL laminated cotton).
PUL cotton, nylon or polyester would all be safer than PVC oilcloth - but clearly all are synthetic polymers so not the overall safest or most eco-friendly choice if you consider the full life cycle. Still, PUL cotton is commonly used for cloth diaper covers, bibs, reusable sandwich bags, rain gear, and a wide variety of other child-friendly products. Personally, I would comfortably use PUL for a high chair seat cover (Here are some tips for successfully sewing using PUL).
You can also choose to make a few out of a strong, washable textile and then toss the dirty ones in with the wash and replace with a clean one as necessary. Here's a tutorial
image courtesy of ohdeedoh
Posted by Lu on 09/03/2010 at 08:00 AM
I bought a stroller cushion at a consignment store.
Posted by Carrie @ Takin' Care of Twins on 09/03/2010 at 07:31 AM
I have heard that ripstop nylon is the only approved, food safe water-proof fabric. (PUL isn’t.) So, if it were me, I’d go with nylon.
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Posted by Tiffany on 09/04/2010 at 08:51 PM
I love oilcloth, too, but have always been disappointed that I couldn’t use it because of its PVC content. I was excited when I read this post hoping there were some great alternatives but I’m not sure the Marimekko cloth is one of them. On the Marimekko website, it says “since 2008 all oilcloth manufactured by Marimekko is phthalate free pvc”. As the Soft Landing just mentioned this week, phthalate free PVC may still contain dioxin, VOCs, lead, cadmium and a bunch of other junk.
http://thesoftlandingbaby.com/2010/09/02/pvc-as-a-substitute-for-polycarbonate-bpa-in-sippy-cups/