Give everything from the sheets to the curtains a "safe wash" (a combination of baking soda and white vinegar) in an effort to remove some of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are released in gas form by many of the things we use in our homes, from paints and office equipment (such as printers and copiers) to craft materials (like glues and permanent markers) and cleaning products.
The term "dry cleaning" is actually a little misleading. This technique coats clothes in a chemical -- usually perchloroethylene (PERC) -- that tends to be better for cleaning delicate fabrics, such as silk and cashmere, than regular soap and water. Unfortunately, PERC has been linked to cancer and a number of other health problems. Many cleaners actually send their clothes to dry-cleaning plants, which can release huge amounts of PERC into the earth, air, and water.
A greener solution is to dry-clean as few items as possible. Remove the plastic bag and hang any dry-cleaned clothes outside (or in a mudroom or garage ) to air out before wearing or hanging in your closet. Recycle the dry cleaning bags along with your grocery-store bags and return hangers to the dry cleaner.
Typical linens are made with conventional cotton, which accounts for about 25 percent of the world's insecticide use, including some of the planet's most hazardous chemicals. What's more, linen manufacturers often use dyes derived from petroleum (a nonrenewable resource) in a highly polluting process that leaves chemicals gushing into waterways, ravaging aquatic habitats, and clinging to the sheets, towels, and pillowcases you bury your face in. The same environmental hazards that apply to conventional towels apply to conventional linens. Look for organic-cotton and sustainable-bamboo options.
For a better night's sleep, choose a natural fill. Synthetics, such as polyester, draw on nonrenewable resources and can be more hospitable to allergy and asthma triggers. Among natural fills, go organic when possible, as chemicals used in conventional-fill production can contribute to headaches.
Eco-paints have now entered the mainstream as well. Home-supply stores increasingly carry a wide selection, sometimes in hundreds of colors, with zero or very low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are released in gas form by many of the things we use in our homes, from paints and office equipment (such as printers and copiers) to craft materials (like glues and permanent markers) and cleaning products.
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