Eco-friendly are things that are safe for the environment and humans. And not only the one who uses them, but also those people who produce goods. Are you ready to become an “eco-consumer” and buy super-expensive (but safe in every way) household products? Let’s try to figure out together with Royal Craft Wood what materials to choose and why.
Safe material for cabinet furniture chipboard
Chip Board
Chip board is not dangerous if the edges and surfaces of the board are covered with veneer, a layer of varnish, or melamine. But if chips occur, they can release formaldehyde and phenol harmful to health. Under the influence of heat, the release rate of deleterious substances increases dramatically. Therefore, chip board furniture is categorically not recommended to be installed on a warm floor or near heating radiators. Pay attention to class E1 chip board – it contains less harmful resins.
MDF
From an environmental point of view, it is much more prosperous than chip board. However, like chip board, MDF will certainly be varnished. Only water-based varnishes do not harm health and do not emit toxic components. But they, unlike varnish on a chemical solvent, are less durable.
Safe “stuffing” of upholstered furniture filler
The most common is polyurethane foam (a relative of foam rubber). Suppose the manufacturer does not save on the quality of raw materials and uses compounds that do not emit dangerous freons into the atmosphere. In that case, the furniture is labeled with the inscription “CFC-free polyurethane foam” – CFC-free PPU.
Layers of softness
As a rule, these are synthetic fibers or duck-goose down and feathers. Natural ingredients are treated with chemicals since soft featherbed is a welcome treat for ticks and other parasites. A more environmentally friendly treatment method is feather sterilization. Manufacturers are proud of the eco-friendly sofa. They label them; accordingly, they are fighting for a “green” certificate, which will allow them to raise the price of products well.
Manufacturers often use specially treated down, and feathers for soft seats and chair backs as a filler.
Safety upholstery
Cotton
It is subjected to chemical treatment even during harvesting (detergents cause the leaves to crumble, and the boxes are easily removed by machine). This is followed by bleaching, lightening, and staining with synthetic dyes.
To make the upholstery unforgettable, it is coated with a mixture of artificial resins, formaldehyde, or glyoxal. Need snow-white cotton? It is obtained as a result of impregnation with compounds that produce dioxins. So “100% natural” fiber turns out to be much more dangerous than artificial. Only elite goods pass strict control. The raw materials are collected by hand, not bleached, and only covered with a water-repellent impregnation based on bees or vegetable wax, oil, or paraffin—safety proof – Green Cotton badge on the upholstery.
Silk
To stimulate rapid growth, manufacturers are forced to use chemistry. Therefore, sometimes formaldehyde and disinfectants are found in silk fibers. To weigh silk, solutions of metal salts are used – they are harmless to humans, but they significantly pollute the environment. Silk is one of the options for upholstery for eco-interior furniture.
Wool
Only “organic wool” is genuinely justified (KBT Wolle’s secure marking of organic wool). No pesticides or chemical treatments against parasites. Such a six-figure is incredibly expensive and produced in insufficient quantities. Maintain eco-style in the interior of lighter material with a badge of three twisted ribbons (this is how “virgin” is marked).
Leather
Leather can be treated either with acids of natural origin (absolutely safe) or chromium salts during tanning. But even they do not harm the buyer at all. The danger lies in waiting for us at the stage of furniture recycling when harmful components are released into the atmosphere.
