March 18, 2013
How to Create a Non-Toxic Nursery
As expectant parents there are decisions you’ll make in order to provide the best environment for your new baby. Choosing paint, bedding and furnishings for the nursery are part of the fun while waiting for your new arrival.
Have you stopped to consider the potential dangers of your choices, though?
We’d like to believe that products are created with our health and well-being in mind. Unfortunately, that’s not always true. Too many design, living, and household products contain chemicals that could negatively impact the health and development of your child.
Avoiding as many of these products as possible when designing the baby’s room will allow you to create a non-toxic space where he or she can develop, learn, and grow.
Steps to Creating a Safe Nursery
- Walls – Almost every new parent begins nursery design with the paint color, but have you thought about paint, safety? Traditional paints, even some that are marked zero VOC (volatile organic chemicals), actually do contain harmful elements that can be released into the air. These toxins can be harmful to a mother and child, so make sure to avoid them. Instead, choose paint that is clearly labeled as being non-toxic.
- Furniture – While you and your partner may be struggling with the decision of whether the furniture should be vintage, modern, minimalist, or cute, the one thing both of you can agree on is that each piece of furniture needs to be safe. Cribs, dressers, bookcases, and even changing tables should all be finished with a non-toxic paint. If you are upgrading a hand-me-down piece of furniture or creating some out of thrifted pieces, be sure to have the sanding done by someone other than yourself. You never know what toxins are waiting in old varnishes and stains, and breathing them in could be harmful to the baby.
- Fabric and Bedding – Ready to get creative? When it comes to the fabric and bedding in the nursery, your DIY and sewing skills can really help the room stand out and feel unique. However, finding upholstery weight organic fabric isn’t easy, so sewing organic crib skirts and drapes might be out of the question. For items like this, which do not directly come in contact with the baby, consider instead purchasing 100 percent linen or cotton fabric. While this fabric is non-organic, washing it several times in hot water before sewing it can remove many of the chemicals. For bedding, make sure to always choose organic materials.
- Home Cleaning – Before and after your new addition’s arrival, be sure he or she is entering a clean, chemical-free environment. While cleaning the nursery and your home might be something you want to do, a growing belly might be making things a little more difficult than you’d like. Don’t try to do it yourself. Hire the experts at Greenapple House Cleaning. We do more than just clean houses. We approach house cleaning in an environmentally friendly and holistic way by using only organic cleaning products that have been Ecologo and CFIA certified as chemical free and non-toxic. Our Ottawa home cleaning experts ensure your home environment is safe and healthy for you, and for those who are most important to you.
Creating a beautiful, clean, and non-toxic nursery is easier than you might think. Just make sure you are choosing chemical-free paint, organic fabrics, and the best in Ottawa home cleaning through Greenapple House Cleaning.
