Question from Sofas
Hi Debra, your website is great! So glad to have found it. I’m finding the organic toxin free furniture is so very unaffordable. Is there any website you have come across that doesn’t have flame retardants at least. Basically second best I guess. Ikea? Looking for a couch or two. From Canada too.
Debra’s Answer
I don’t know of any readymade sofas that do not have fire retardants of some kind or another. They are required by law.
I suggest that you type “sofa” in my site search box and read all the other posts on this subject, if you haven’t already.
Readers? Any suggestions?
You can use a metal or other tolerated material day bed frame and make your own couch. I have a organic single bed mattress on it a a doubled-over futon for the back.
Holy crap. Could never afford anything on the eco terric site.
Even if it was half price. I think we would be better off building and covering our own furniture.
The Amish in TN do not charge an arm and a leg to build stuff like you will see at the “Amish furniture outlets”. Amazingly good prices if you go directly to the peoples homes. Maybe some of you could see if you live close to any and get a price.
There are alternatives to buying an expensive sofa. But I do think there should be some inexpensive sofas that are properly made to be nontoxic.
One alternative is a futon on a sofa frame, such as those sold at White Lotus Home.
I made a nontoxic sofa about 20 years ago for $1500 by getting a sofa frame for $50 at a storage auction and then having it reupholstered with my own fabric. It was an old sofa with springs in the cushions, so no foam.
I got samples from EcoSelect Furniture and they reeked of laundry detergent. I asked for another sample and it reeked again of Tide or similar.
I asked if the employees have to be scent free or wear something to prevent scents getting on furniture and they don’t. So for now, I’m avoiding that company and hope we can all encourage any companies catering to sensitivities to please go scent free! Or at least wear gloves! I can’t imagine getting a $6k couch only to have it smell like Tide and Bounce…
bummer…
I spoke with them some months ago because they are on a list of Fire retardant free furniture. Just because a company decides to remove one toxic chemicals doesn’t mean they are “with the program.” They are doing what they know and need to learn to do more.
We searched high and low for affordable organic / chemical-free sofas and finally chose two to offer on our website. They both have exposed wood frames with cushions. There are several filling materials and cover fabrics to choose from. For photos, details and pricing, see: https://www.organicandhealthy.com/organic-sofas.html
Hi,
as you may know by now, in 2015, that the California law has finally been passed throughout USA. No fire retardants are mandated any longer in furniture. Crate and Barrel for one does not use them in their products any longer, at least there ‘better’ products. Ask them and they will tell you.
There are others out there now. finally!
Yes, you can now get fire retardant furniture, but be careful, as they still may contain other toxic materials.
When you buy used or older furniture, it’s difficult to pin down its provenance and know what other chemicals it was subjected to (Ae.g. pesticides, Aunt Grace’s perfume, etc.). The 3 most economical options for an organic sofa are: (1) a wood sofa bench with spring or other cushions (e.g. Scandinavian style), (2) a futon, or (3) a daybed — all made with 100% organic cotton that are free of flame retardant free, and all of which will require a physician’s Rx.
You can many times find vintage/antique sofas, or maybe even used ones that are old enough so that whatever chemicals were in them have probably outgassed. Some of these can be found for very reasonable prices if you know where to look.
Wow, it’s a small world! I was just about to mention Ecoterric (the company mentioned above by Rowena) when i just scrolled thru and saw her post! I love my sofa that I custom ordered from her. It’s made by Cisco Bros. in LA and is part if their “inside green line” – organic and without chemicals (organic wool is a natural retardant). While it wasn’t inexpensive, I can tell the difference between it and my chair from Eddie Bauer (which I’m saving to replace at some point) as my asthma isn’t bothered by the Cisco/Ecoterric sofa but is bothered by the EBauer one.
I have heard that the EU versions of Ikea sofas and npmattresses are either w/out or with fewer chemicals -worth checking on but shipping may be prohibitive.
Best,
Cathy
We removed all the flame retardants from our sofa designs to offer everyday consumers better choices. We are not 100% organic, nor do we try to resolve issues for people with chemical sensitivity. Our smaller scale, zero flame retardant models are more affordable than most others without flame retardants because our approach is simpler – start witha good idea, and remove what doesn’t belong. Our designs are smartly sized, infinitely customizable, and we will ship anywhere but California (until they drop TB117). Visit our website for more info at condofurniture.com
I would look around at all of the eco-friendly sofa sites for their clearance, sales, and floor models. We purchased a couch from Viesso (http://www.viesso.com) that was deeply discounted. You just have to wait for an eco-friendly one to be put on the sale list, because not all of their couches are eco-friendly.
I just bought a flame retardant free sectional online from eco-select furniture. The sectional is very well made and the customer service was excellent. You can check out their website and see if this is a piece of furniture you can live with. It is not totally greeen because they use polyurethane foam inside the cushions. However the fabric is hemp and the furniture is affordable.
I did a lot of research on this a few years ago and ended up traveling to Santa Monica (making a full vacation of it) to go to Viesso. They made a custom couch for me that fits both my vegan values and left out the toxic chemical flame retardants. As someone said above, it was expensive but worth it to me to invest in the health of my home, my furry companions and my health. I love it (it’s extra long with an ottoman) and would highly recommend contacting them.
Hi,
I’m just wondering – if fire retardants in upholstery furniture are required by the law, how come some companies can make them without it? Too bad most of us can’t afford those…
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
Fire retardants are not required by law, what is required by law is that the mattress or furniture pass the flammability test. Natural fibers like wool are naturally flame resistant and don’t require chemical fire retardants. Polyurethane foam is extremely flammable, so requires fire retardants to pass the flammability test. Also you can circumvent the fire retardants on custom mattresses and furniture with a doctor’s prescription. Nowadays too, there are nontoxic fire barriers that can be used instead of chemicals.
Hi,
Not sure that this will help you because it’s a company I found in the States. I haven’t purchased one yet because I am still looking to find other options but these seem a little more affordable than some that I have seen…
http://www.ecoselectfurniture.com
Not sure that shipping to Canada is even possible though.
Good luck!
Hello,
I need to by a new coach and have not bought anything new in about 13 years I just get hammy downs. I do this because I go into anaphylactic shock when around flame retardant. I bought my very first bed a few months ago and left it sitting out in the sun for two months before I would go near it.. it is very sad that I have to do this. I cannot afford to buy furniture without it and I am lost on what to do? how can the government allow this to continue, I know I am not the only one who can die being exposed to this chemical. How can we get this to stop, we need to get this out of our homes?
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
That’s not an easy question. One is to support organizations that are working on changing legislation, like Safe Chemicals, Healthy Families and Washington Toxics Coalition. But we have a long way to go before flame retardants are banned.
There are many ways to get chemical free furniture, we have been offering this for over 30 years now. We also have affordable solid wood NOT stained furnuture, please visit our siteWhite Lotus Home or visit one of our showrooms in NYC and NJ. All the furniture we carry is made in the USA with solid wood, some have no stains and can be stained in with no VOC finishes. Others are rubbed with Tung oil. We do have something for every budget, like solidwood US made beds starting at only $220 and up. You can also replace your cushions, mattresses, covers and more on your current furniture. We have done a lot of custom work for folks that want to get rid of chemicals in their furniture. You will surprise how affordable our customization fees are for sofa cushions etc… All is handmade in the USA.
Hello!
We can help you. My company (aka eco-terric) has been specializing in green and healthy furnishings for the past 10 years or so. Please contact me at rowena@eco-terric.com , I will be happy to send you information on the many furniture pieces that we have to offer. You can see a smattering at http://www.eco-terric.com, but we are in the process of creating a new website so please don’t take any notice of the prices. Be very careful what you buy – all green furniture is not created equal!
Rowena