Used Bedroom FurnitureUsed bedroom furniture can be a great way to save some money and can be another way to make your bedrooms healthier. New furniture typically will off-gas many more chemicals unless the finishes are carefully selected (by YOU) to minimize chemical off-gassing. Used bedroom furniture health benefits: From a health standpoint, used bedroom furniture can have some real advantages over new furniture. Often times, especially if the furniture is older, it is constructed of solid wood. Older furniture typically does not offgas nearly as much as newer furniture since the chemicals have had more time to dissipate. The room may have less odors as well which can help with allergies and decrease chemical exposures while sleeping. This will be a healthful advantage as your body will not have to detoxify as many chemicals. The room may have a cleaner smell too depending upon the type of furniture used.
*estate sales *garage sales *relatives/friends *on-line/internet stores *thrift stores **sometimes people just give away great pieces of furniture!
Bedframes, bedroom dressers, nightstands, chairs, lamps, framed mirrors or pictures.
Realize that many pieces if painted before 1970 may contain lead-based paint. The dust from this or from small chips is very harmful and can cause blood disorders, organ damage and neurologic problems, just to name a few. It’s especially important to keep children away from lead painted furniture as they often chew on the pieces. The same goes for furniture made in China and many third world countries.
Used mattresses are not recommended. As people sleep and perspire at night this mixes with chemicals in the mattress and over time makes the mattress even more toxic than in the beginning. Best to use an organic mattress as it will be the healthiest.
The glues used in the production of these materials is harmful and off-gases for years. There are wood sealants that can be used to paint over these materials that will reduce the off-gassing significantly. See
Ecohaus
for such products. Also avoid furniture with heavy varnishes or oils that you’re able to detect odors from. These contain petroleum distillates and many are carcinogenic.
These products off-gas many chemicals and odors which are not healthy. Plastics contain styrene, BPH and other chemicals which are now better understood to cause many health problems including hormonal disruptions, and cancers.
Also inquire if pets or smokers have been around or on the furniture as this can contribute significantly to allergies or asthma. Older upholstered furniture such as a couch or upholstered chair can present many of the same health problems as older mattresses, as previously mentioned above.
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