Do You Smell?

One easy indicator to determine whether something is toxic is if you can smell it. When you bring in a new rug or a new piece of furniture, does it smell like chemicals? If it does, it was likely made with harsh chemicals that aren’t good for you or your home. If you’re stuck with smelly, off-gassing pieces, there are some simple things you can do to limit your exposure to the noxious fumes.

Karen Raymer, owner of Waldenour, an eco-friendly furniture showroom in Atlanta, suggests using products by AFM Safecoat as a sealant on anything from chemical-laden furniture to cabinetry, grout and wooden floors. “[It’s a great] product line for people who are chemically sensitive,” she says. The materials act as a coat to lock in the pollutants, so you can breathe more freely without having to overhaul your home’s furnishings. However, you need to test an area of the furniture first, since some materials don’t agree with the coatings, particularly if they’re not made well.

If your rugs or carpeting are also emitting a bit of a stink, you can put a more natural area rug on top to reduce some of the negative effects. Although there are varying degrees of green furniture, some words you want to look for are “FSC-certified,” “water-based” and “natural oil finish.”