Creating a healthier home environment includes making thoughtful choices about the textiles and furniture you bring into your space. Many conventional options contain chemicals like flame retardants, PFAS coatings, or formaldehyde, which can off-gas harmful toxins into your indoor air and skin. Here’s how to shop smarter and make your home a safer, more comfortable haven. This category can get expensive, so we'll be sure to make some budget-friendly suggestions at the end.

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How to Shop for Non-Toxic Home Textiles and Furniture

Choose Safe Materials

Whenever possible, choose organic materials like organic cotton, linen, or wool for items such as bed sheets, upholstery, and mattresses. These fibers are typically less heavily processed and are less likely to contain residual chemicals from bleaching, synthetic dyes, or finishing treatments used in conventional textile production.

Fabric frequencies refer to the vibrational energy emitted by different materials, with natural fibers like organic cotton, wool, and linen believed to have higher, more harmonious frequencies compared to synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon. These higher frequencies are thought to promote better energy flow, comfort, and well-being, making natural fabrics a preferred choice for those seeking a holistic lifestyle. The science on fabric frequencies is inconclusive. There is actually very little literature surrounding the topic. Still, natural fibers are environmentally-friendly and do not contribute to plastic pollution. For this reason alone, buy natural! 

When purchasing furniture, look for solid wood options rather than particleboard which often contain formaldehyde-based adhesives. Solid wood will also last much longer and can be repaired more easily. Even better if the solid wood is untreated, although most woods are treated for insect, water or fire resistance.

Steer clear of items labeled as “waterproof” or “stain-resistant”, as these often include PFAS coatings. Look for untreated fabrics or naturally water-resistant materials like wool instead. Similarly avoid textiles marketed as "fire-safe" as they often contain flame retardants. 

You may also come across organic latex and might be wondering if it's a toxin-free choice. Organic latex is derived from the sap of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) and is processed without harsh chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), synthetic flame retardants, or petroleum-based materials commonly found in synthetic latex, and requires no off-gassing. It's also naturally resistant to dust mites, mold, and bacteria. It makes a great choice for pillows, mattresses, and mattress toppers.

We generally avoid Bamboo because of how toxic the process is to convert Bamboo trees into fabric. However, if you are set on Bamboo, look for Bamboo Linen or Lyocell instead of Bamboo Viscose or Rayon, which uses less chemicals and a more environmentally friendly production process. 

Look for Safety Certifications

Certifications can help you identify products made with safer materials and fewer harmful contaminants. Here are some to prioritize:

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Ensures that textiles like mattresses, bed sheets, and upholstery are made from certified organic fibers and processed with minimal chemicals.
• GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard): If buying latex, this label ensures the latex is at least 95% organic.
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Tests for harmful substances in fabrics, ensuring they meet stringent safety criteria.
• Greenguard or Greenguard Gold: Certifies that furniture and mattresses emit low levels of VOCs, contributing to healthier indoor air quality.
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): Ensures wood is sourced sustainably and is free from toxic treatments.
• Made Safe: Indicates that a product has been independently vetted for safety and contains no known harmful chemicals.

Off-Gas New Items

Even the safest furniture and textiles can release residual odors or chemicals when new. Off-gassing helps minimize these exposures:

• How to Off-Gas Furniture:
  1. Unbox the item outdoors or in a well-ventilated garage.
  2. Let it sit outside on a dry, sunny day for at least 24–48 hours.
  3. If outdoor space isn’t available, place it in a room with open windows or use an air purifier to help clear VOCs.
• For Textiles: Wash new bedding or curtains in a toxin-free laundry detergent before use to remove residual chemicals from the manufacturing process.

Prioritize a Low Budget

Replacing everything in your home with toxin-free alternatives isn’t always financially feasible. We suggest prioritizing items that come into direct contact with your skin which makes the biggest difference. 

• Bed Sheets and Pillows: Your skin spends hours each night against your bedding, so opt for organic cotton or linen sheets as a first step.
• Bath Towels: The pores on your skin are the most open after a warm shower. Drape them in clean fabrics by opting for natural fiber, organic bath towels.
• Drape your Sofa: Couldn't afford a certified sofa? Something as simple as draping an organic cotton blanket over the seat can limit what comes into contact with your skin.
• Get A Mattress Topper: Even if you can’t replace a mattress or sofa immediately, consider using an organic mattress topper or a natural slipcover as a stopgap. 

You can swap these for much less and still make a big difference. Moving forward, when you buy new furniture, opt for quality items. 

Helpful Tips I've Discovered Along The Way

I am personally still making swaps in this area, so I'll try to keep a running list of some lessons learned or helpful discoveries I've hand along the way.

• Buckwheat Pillows - Don't do it 😆. All the crunchy moms will tell you its the most non toxic option. But unless you like sleeping on a pile of walnut shells, it's a pass!!  Needless to say, it was returned immediately and you won't find any buckwheat pillows here!
• Mattress Protectors - Surprisingly hard to find without a plastic layer. Most mattress protectors are going to have some kind of plastic or polyester lining. The closest you can get to waterproof without synthetic fibers would be a wool-based one, but these are usually water resistant and not completely waterproof. Another alternative is to get a thick mattress topper made of natural fibers. Again, not completely waterproof, but thick enough to stop most spills and accidents. Lastly, you can consider some polyester linings which are encased in natural fibers. I linked some options in our Home Shopping Guide.
• Shopping For Kids - Organic bed sheets can get so pricey, but I suggest opting for the more budget friendly options so you can either: keep more sets on hand or not feel so bad when your kid ruins it 😂 I linked some budget options that are still organic and OEKO-Tex in  our Home Shopping Guide and Baby & Kids Shopping Guide.
• Finding Non Toxic Furniture - You'll actually have a hard time trying to find non toxic furniture by searching the words "non toxic furniture." However, many of the popular furniture stores will have some collections that are Greenguard, GOTS, GOLS or boast some other type of non toxic certification. When you visit a furniture showroom, ask if they have a Greenguard or "Green" Collection. 

"Better" but not "Best" For The Budget Conscious

It's no surprise that furniture is expensive. If you cannot afford to swap, I recommend at least seeking out solid wood furniture. Without certifications, you won't know if they are using toxic glues or VOC-emitting paint. However, at the very least you are making a better choice material-wise and quality-wise. And purchasing something less likely to end up as trash in a couple of years.

Avoid particle board furniture at all costs! They are known to use toxic glues, formaldehyde and they just don't last very long, which is a quick trip to the landfill. MDF "wood" would be a better choice than particle board. Although it is not actual wood, it does last longer in terms of quality which limits your environmental footprint. Particle board/laminate furniture is cheap up front, but replacements will cost you. They just don't last.

If you are local to a TJ Maxx, Homegoods or Ross, I have been pleasantly surprised with some of their affordable organic options. However, their stock is random and never guaranteed. Similarly, some have thrifted or purchased second hand non toxic furniture on community marketplaces. Worth a try!

Always remember to let any new furniture off-gas outside before settling in your home. It makes a difference for your home's air quality.