Baby’s First Home

Healthy Child
Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Invest in healthy furnishings: Carpet, especially the newly installed stuff, can emit harmful chemicals from fibers, dyes, backing material, and flame retardants. Instead, go for hardwood floors (or bamboo or cork, two sustainable options) with organic or natural fiber area rugs. New furniture should, where possible, be made from untreated, natural woods, because fiberboard and pressed wood contain a mess of chemical finishes and glues. Hand-me-downs (or pieces you drag home from a tag sale) are great options for both rugs and furniture; just make sure old wood furniture isn't covered in lead paint.