Your little Prince or Princess deserves the best in life, and if they want a room that’s fit for royalty, you’re going to do everything in your power to give it to them. But would you still choose the bubble-gum pink paint if you knew it would release harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air they breathe for years to come? Or would you pick a synthetic baseball-themed rug if you were aware that it could trap and hold harmful allergens and bacteria despite a stringent weekly vacuuming? And what about the curtains, bedding, and mattress in your child’s room? How can you teach them about sustainability and instill them with an environmental consciousness when the fabrics that fill their rooms are part of an ongoing process that pollutes the planet with harmful pesticides and fertilizers? Don’t even get started on their toys! It’s a lot to worry about, but luckily there are a lot of products available for the green parent on the prowl for an eco-friendly kid’s room.
Start with the basics: flooring and walls. For the floors, there are a lot of alternatives to synthetic-fiber carpeting. You can contemplate laminates, which often look just as nice as hardwood (some even have texture in addition to faux grain) and come with a warranty. You may also want to consider sealed cork flooring. You can add some throw rugs in humane wool or organic cotton, both of which can be cleaned frequently to remove allergens. If you’re worried about the possibility of injury resulting from common tumbling, at least consider carpeting made with post industrial (recycled) fibers. They will still hold allergens, but you’ll be stopping non-biodegradable fibers from going into the landfill. And as for paint, there are several brands that offer low- or no-VOCs through the use of natural compounds.
Next you’ll need a bed. For the frame, you can find lots of manufacturers that make kid-centric lines of green furniture, such as Oeuf, which makes organic mattresses and furniture built from locally sourced wood with non-toxic finishes. However, children’s bedroom furniture can get expensive if you buy it new (and Earth-conscious). So consider going green with a reusable approach by purchasing reclaimed furniture. You can probably find a place locally that refurbishes furniture, or check out one of the many websites that offers helpful DIY tips to refurbish your yard-sale steals. And for the mattress, opt for organic cotton. Just make sure it comes with a wool sheath in order to meet safety standards (for non-flammable materials). Bedding and other textiles can also be found in a wide array of eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo, or hemp, and they often utilize low-impact dyes to prevent allergic reactions (and pollution).
Finally, you can even ensure that your child plays in clean, green bliss by purchasing planet-friendly toys. Sprig has an assortment of toys from trucks to figurines that are made with recycled wood and reclaimed plastic (all kid-safe), run on push-power (kinetic energy means no batteries), and are easy to mix and match. Planet Happy Kids also makes a variety of toys and activity kits that are natural, organic, and phthalate-free (from big-wheels to bubbles to bead kits). And if you want something plush, look for some of the many stuffed animals made from organic cotton or soy fibers. Literally everything in your child’s room can be eco-friendly if you do some research, so teach your little ones to treat the Earth right, starting at home.
Alexis Montgomery writes about womens pregnancy and health for Nurture Center where you can find a Dutailier glider and other accessories for your baby.
