Choosing Green Fabric for Your Home

Most fabric on the market is saturated with chemicals. Pesticides are doused on growing cotton, chemicals are used in the manufacturing of almost all fibers, petroleum is used in the creation of some man-made fabrics, and chemical dyes are used for color. rnThe result is degradation of the water, air and land where the crops are grown. The end product—from clothing to the furniture in your home—leeches onto the wearer and into the environment. Finally, landfills fill up with partially-biodegradable products that will continue to leech into the ground, our waterways and into the air. rnTextiles are produced all over the world. Modern global chemical companies sell vast quantities of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to third-world countries. The chemicals are used to combat the increasingly resistant pests that infest the plants used to make yarn fiber. And even though many of these chemicals have been banned in this country (like DDT and pyrethroids), they are legally used in other countries and some of these chemically-treated textiles are shipped back to the United States, as clothing and upholstery fabric. rnOnly corn is doused with more pesticides than cotton grown in United States. “1.25 pounds of pesticides, defoliants, and other chemicals are used to grow the cotton in every set of queen-size sheets, and up to one-third goes into every t-shirt. The EPA…lists seven of the most common pesticides used in cotton fields as ‘known human carcinogens.’” rnAccording to Alan Berman, author of Your Naturally Healthy Home: “Two of the three biggest polluters in the US are manufacturers of synthetic yarns. Emissions include acetic acid, formaldehyde, solvents, chlorine substances, and other dangerous chemicals.” 18 Acrylic, nylon, polyester and all other synthetic yarns are produced from polymers derived from petroleum by unsound processes. rnChemicals such as chlorine and formaldehyde are used for cleaning, bleaching and preshrinking during the processing of animal and vegetable fibers into fabric. Even more chemical treatments are applied to soften and produce wrinkle-resistant fabrics. Chemical residues from finishing and coloring processes can account for twenty percent of the weight of fabric. rnAdditional treatment to fabric; such as making a stain-resistant fabric, mothproofing and fireproofing are all made with dangerous chemicals. A common stain-resistant chemical contains PFO (perfluorocatanyl sulphate), which enters human tissue and is known to be carcinogenic. The EPA is trying to ban the use of this dangerous chemical. rnChoosing safe—or safer—fabrics is possible. Just as the healthiest food is the least processed and closest to its natural state, so should the fabrics we choose. Natural fabrics, such as linen, flax, hemp, jute, sisal, wool and cotton can be made with little or no processing and chemical treatments. Expect to see an increase in variety of pesticide and chemical-free fabrics on the market as growers react to the demand by both manufacturers and consumers. rnClothing and some upholstered furniture can be purchased in organic cotton. Organic cotton is pesticide-free, hand picked for less waste, uses only natural processing agents in the manufacturing process, utilizes natural vegetable dyes for color and employs no additional enhancement finishes (such as stain resistance or mothproofing). rnNatural color dyes are mainly neutral colors like browns and beiges—not the huge assortment of colors that we have grown accustomed to, but the manufacturers of natural dyes are making progress in increasing the selection of available colors. rnThere are also some safe man-made fabrics that are made by sustainable, clean methods, including recycled materials. For example, Lyocell, known by its trade names Tencel® and Cupro®, is a man-made fabric composed of natural wood pulp cellulose without the use of any toxic or polluting chemicals. Climatex® Lifecycle™ products employ a remarkably clean production system, and their upholstery fabrics are compostable and environmentally sound. rnNot factoring in comfort, the ultimate choice is to avoid upholstered furniture altogether, because cushions can harbor dust mites and particulates that cause allergies and asthma. Furniture with detachable cushions that have washable covers is a more comfortable second choice. rnHowever, you may already own upholstered furniture or really prefer it to the alternative of detachable cushions. If so, here are some tips:

• Locate a furniture store that sells good quality furnishings. The frame of a sofa or chair, for example, should be made out of hardwood and be well constructed.
• Check the contents of the fabric. High-end furniture stores carry a selection of fabrics to choose from. Unfortunately, environmentally-unsound, man-made fibers are very popular now, and virtually all furniture manufacturers use fabrics with a mix of synthetic fibers.
• Check if finishes, such as fireproofing or stain-resistant chemicals have been added. Inquire if the upholstery is available without the finishes.
• If no natural fabrics are available, inquire if you may provide your own fabric, “Customer’s Own Material” (COM). Most furniture stores will charge a nominal fee for this service and providing your own fabric is not only a terrific way to get exactly what you want, but can also save you money!
• Organic cotton and chemical-free fabrics for upholstery are very difficult to find at the time of this writing—hopefully this will soon change. In the interim, shop upholstery stores for natural fabrics. Wool and silk are particularity long wearing and are a great choice in fabric (see “Resources”).
• Clean upholstery with a non-toxic cleaner. A number of the manufacturers of non-toxic cleaners have carpet cleaners that work on upholstery. Clean even new furniture to remove any toxic residues. Or, buy a steam machine that uses only water to clean.
• Upholstered furniture and beds can harbor dust mites and particulates. Try tie on pads or slipcovers that can be washed. Avoid fill made of foam plastic materials as they outgas chemicals.
• Use a non-toxic allergy spray on upholstered furniture, draperies and carpeting to deactivate protein allergens.

Excerpt from Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet, copyright 2007.